I bought this (loud) coral silk shirt a few months ago at a local thrift store (see Kudzu Antique Market). I put off wearing it because I couldn’t figure out what went with this color. At the time, I succumbed to purchasing it because it’s silk and only $12! I don’t think I own anything that drapes this well on my body (and I definitely don’t own anything this pinky coral). Apologies for the craptastic photos (they don’t do justice to the drapey-ness of the blouse), but indoor photos during the dark wintery months are a challenge.
And what does beautiful fabric make me think of? Art history! But of course!
Enter (mainly) headless Hellenic statues:
Before Common Era, Greek sculptors had mastered the perfect fall and drape of fabric in stone. They magically turned marble into gauzy, rippling pieces of clingy fabric. Before the Hellenic era, poor sculpted bodies had to endure all sorts of uncomfortable stony attire. Hellenic artists created haute couture in stone.
Skip ahead a few centuries to the Dark Ages; a return to Walmart-quality stone wardrobes for all. Even Jesus and Mary had to put up with pointy, rigid gowns and shrouds that did absolutely nothing for their figures.
Skip ahead a few more centuries to the Renaissance and Baroque eras (deep sigh of relief); both sculptors and painters perfect the verisimilitude of fabric out of stone or paint. Below, Artemesia Gentileschi so convincingly paints the folds and fabrics in bed sheets that you (almost) barely notice ole Holofernes getting his head chopped off by strong-armed Judith. Go drapery!
And now we come full circle back to fashion. Long, long before the first wet t-shirt contests were even thought of, Josephine Bonaparte and her fashion lemmings (I would have been one of them) discovered a way to make wet drapery literal. Under their barely-there empire-waisted gowns, ladies would wet their slips (the only other layer they wore) so that their dresses would cling to every curve and leave even less to the imagination. Herve Leger’s bandage dresses have nothing on these 19th century gentlewomen.
Now don’t you want to go out and buy more silk things?! I mean who wouldn’t? The next time you wear something that feels deliciously liquid as it drapes over your body, you can imagine yourself a Greek god or goddess, a mighty biblical figure (on bed sheets!?), or the wife of the most powerful emperor of the era. Not bad, eh? Do you already have something in your closet that makes you feel that way?
I did not know that 19th century women did that to their slips. Man, I love these art history lessons!
Lar, I think you look so sweet in that coral shirt! And you paired it perfectly with the skirt and booties!!
And I love it when you post on art history:)
I must go to that thrift store!! Thank you for telling me about it
Sure, Windsor! Let us know what you think. They have great furniture there too!
Awesome post!
I wear a bit of coral, and I particularly like it with several shades of brown. Also dark olive. And it can really pop against indigo.
You have broadened my mind about silk. I struggle with it as a material because it’s so warm, and it shows sweat so easily. So perhaps it’s a fabric that is totally made for winter.
Nice essay, Lauren; and, yes, there is nothing like silk.
Thanks, M 😉 Expect more art history “lessons” in the near future.
I love how you made a fashion statement both a history lesson and a lesson in empowerment!
What a gorgeous blouse. And I seriously love your Art History lessons, Lar.
coral looks great on you!
Love the boots too.
I didn’t know about that wet dresses, is kind of cool, but rare at the same time.
Kisses!!
I like coral a lot; it’s a very flattering color, and you look great in it. I also appreciate the fashion history and had no idea about the slips. It reminds me of my college days–back in the day: I knew several girls who’d get in the bath in their jeans to make them skin tight! Way too much work and discomfort for me.
I think Herve Leger bandage dresses are a lot more forgiving than the beautiful draping and wet slips a la Josephine. I love both.
Beautifully cut fabric that falls well is worth it.
I never new about the jeans in the bathtub thing- that is extreme (and sounds like pneumonia’s best friend)!
*sigh*
i just love it when you talk fashion and art history.
🙂
That shirt is a fantastic colour and if it’s silk. even better.
Love the art history post. it’s good to know that Wet T-Shirt contests weren’t Joe Francis’ brainchild.
love the little art history lesson. you are totally right, i looked at the red cloth first before noticing the brutal scene! i have a theory that one day archeologists will find a cavern full of statue heads.
i adore the outfit pics. the coral jacket is divine. i want it i want it bad! 🙂
and about art & fashion its amazing how theyve captured the feel of fabric in the photos. so lively and flowy.
did you see project runway us season 6? in one of the last episodes the were to enterpret art irina choose a painting kind of like this.
have a great monday. take care xx ediot
Yes, this early dark is KILLING the photo opportunities. There is just no substitute for natural light in these dark times!
But your fab analogies keep me coming back:) My favorite example of wet drapery has always been Nike Adjusting Her Sandal: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZ7yX2QnpqE/Rksxf09DwCI/AAAAAAAAAXw/BS4FU_gCVfI/s320/nike_adjusting_sandal.jpg
Also – starting a new post-wedding blog [woo!] with my rad sis on life [which is mostly food] in Atlanta. More details soon.
i love that color! (that’s not loud at all compared to some of the stuff in my closet, lol!) =) and hooray for all that is Greek culture!
xx
The coral color looks great on you! And thanks for the mini art history lesson! 🙂
xo, Becs
I love silk – is gorgeous, this little number is gorgeous, perfect pop of colour. Love this little history lesson too.
Josephine Bonaparte, art history, beheadings, can’t go wrong with that kind of combination, can you?
ps. congrats on the 944 thing!
silk does feel amazing! that color is gorgeous on you!
I love silk, it feels marvellous. And I’m mesmerized by the colour of that shirt – so damn gorgeous!
love the mini art history lesson. silks are so lovely. you can’t help but feel fabulous when you slip into some silk. makes all your troubles go away. coral looks great on you!!
p.s do you normally go by Lar or Lauren. 🙂
The colour is a great one for your skintone(s), both of you can get away with a lot. since you are a nice Caramel, golden mix.
I’m the brownest yellow out of my family so it’s hard to shop for colours that fit. 🙁
I agree with the goddesses and their ethereal drapery. it was like the religious enlightenment “disappeared” all the gorgeous refinery of fabric which didn’t come back until way later. I love the history lessons whenever you write them. Gives something of substance BACK to fashion. We need more of this!
such a pretty blouse! i enjoyed this little fashion history lesson 🙂
Wow, great article.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.