Friday, August 25, 2017

Fancy Clothes at the Art Museum

Today we took a few friends with us to check out an exhibition at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715–2015 covered the history of men's fashion. I'll steal their explanation of it:

"Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear, 1715-2015 explores the history of men's fashionable dress from the eighteenth century to the present and re-examines the all-too-frequent equation of "fashion" with "femininity." Beginning with the 18th century, the male aristocrat wore a three-piece suit conspicuous in make and style, and equally as lavish as the opulent dress of his female counterpart. The 19th-century "dandy" made famous a more refined brand of expensive elegance which became the hallmark of Savile Row, London's celebrated street of bespoke tailors. The mid-twentieth-century "mod" relished in the colorful and modern styles of Carnaby Street, and the 21st century man—in an ultra-chic "skinny suit" by day and a flowered tuxedo by night—redefines today's concept of masculinity.

Drawing primarily from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's renowned collection, Reigning Men makes illuminating connections between history and high fashion. The exhibition traces cultural influences over the centuries, examines how elements of the uniform have profoundly shaped fashionable dress, and reveals how cinching and padding the body is not exclusive to women. The exhibition features over 150 looks, and celebrates a rich history of restraint and resplendence in menswear."




This one was one of my favorites because it's so clearly a blending of East and West cultures.

"The Inverness cape, a Scottish sleeveless overcoat with an attached cape, was introduced to Japan during the late Edo period (1615-1868). It was modified with enlarged armholes to accommodate the sleeves of a kimono. Popularly known as a tonbi (black hawk), the overcoats were made of imported wool and were fashionable among early 20th-century intellectuals, professionals, and the wealthy, who often added a Western-style hat to their kimono ensemble."






This swim suit was fantastic. It has a belt and a zipper if you wanted to remove the top half. I might need one.




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