Edwardian Actresses – on Stage and in Film

By | August 14th, 2016|Categories: Edwardian Era, Fashion, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

As the 20th century unfolded and the Edwardian era began, fashion was changing and so was the image of the 'ideal woman.' There are many attractive women from the era who thoroughly represented the vision of Edwardian beauty. We've touched on the lives of Evelyn Nesbit and Lily Elsie, two of the most beautiful and [...]

Somewhere in Time – Still Inspiring Romance

By | August 12th, 2016|Categories: Edwardian Era, Fashion, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I don't know about you, but I have been enamored with the movie 'Somewhere in Time' since I first saw it. I was already a huge fan of Christopher Reeve (oh, that Superman!). His piercing blue eyes could melt almost every girl's heart! Jane Seymour, a relative unknown at the time, was so beautiful as [...]

The Tea Gown – Bridging Victorian and Edwardian Fashion

By | August 9th, 2016|Categories: Edwardian Era, Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , |

The tea gown is the epitome of the charm of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Originally meant as a pretty, fashionable, and comfortable garment to wear at home, it grew into a fashion staple that is still loved today. An 1883 article on hygienic dress describes how indispensable the garment had become. [...]

Clara Bow – Defining Roaring 20s Style

By | August 2nd, 2016|Categories: Fashion, Roaring 20s, Uncategorized, Women's History|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Clara Bow came into my life when I was a teen. My parents had a coffee table book about actors of the first half of the 20th century. It had a provocative cover featuring many stars of early Hollywood. Some I recognized from the old movies shown on television on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but [...]

The Evolution of Dress Reform – Part 2

By | July 26th, 2016|Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , |

Dress Reform - Beyond the Bloomer Although the bloomer dress did not take off as a fashion in the mid-19th century, dress reform didn't go away. Women were still seeking social and political equality. The invention of the hoop skirt wasn't going to change that. Women still participated in sports, and fashion continued to evolve [...]

The Evolution of Dress Reform – Part 1

By | July 23rd, 2016|Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

The Seeds of Dress Reform are Sown When settlers came to what is now the United States, it wasn't unusual to see Native American women wearing leggings under their skirts. European women were not immune to their functionality. Some women started wearing a version of pants under their skirts during the French Revolution. This combination was [...]

Mackinac Island’s Victorian Connection

By | July 19th, 2016|Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Mackinac Island and the Gilded Age Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel are famous for being movie backdrops. Perhaps, Somewhere in Time is its most enduring legacy. Each autumn, a weekend is dedicated to experiencing the Edwardian-era as it was in the film. But, Mackinac Island was a Native American settlement before European exploration started [...]

Murdoch Mysteries (The Artful Detective) – Building Steam(punk) to Season 10

By | June 21st, 2016|Categories: Edwardian Era, Fashion, Steampunk, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Murdoch Mysteries or The Artful Detective? Murdoch Mysteries started production on its 10th season last month. If you aren't familiar with this gem which is known as The Artful Detective in the United States (Ovation TV), take a little time some rainy day this summer to catch up on past episodes. You won't be disappointed! [...]

Doctor Thorne – Julian Fellowes adaptation of Anthony Trollope’s Novel

By | June 18th, 2016|Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , |

Downton Abbey's writer brings Anthony Trollope to 2016 Audiences If you are familiar with Downton Abbey, you are familiar with Julian Fellowes. Downton finished its six-season run on PBS in January and many of its fans are happy to see Julian Fellowes back on the screen. This time, he's adapted Anthony Trollope's 1858 novel, Doctor [...]