In honour of all things holiday, today’s Style File Friday is celebrating the season! Once again I am embracing the Christmas colour scheme and sharing some of my favourite red and green pieces. If the holiday season is not the time to enjoy a fashionable feast for the eyes, when is? These pieces are from different designers and different periods, but remind me of the holiday season in some way. Let’s get into our festive fashion history!
Evening Ensemble (1887), Charles Frederick Worth- Metropolitan Museum of Art
There is a lot happening with this dress, and I would expect no less from a Victorian Worth design. Charles Frederick Worth, the Father of Haute Couture, was known for his elaborate gowns and this is no exception. The bodice mimics a peasant-style blouse- ironically as only the incredibly wealthy would have worn a Worth gown. The neoclassical embroidery designs and rich fabrics also make quite the statement. Given that in the Victorian period, people tended to dress up for the holidays, I think this chartreuse ensemble would be perfect for a holiday ball!
Ecarlate Dress (AW 1955), Christian Dior- V&A Museum
Christian Dior’s Ecarlate dress from the Dior Y line is one of my favourite pieces from the house. (You can see the Y shape in the bodice, as well as an inverted Y in the pleats in the skirt.) Dior took inspiration from historical fashion much of the time, and this dress is no exception. It maintains its smooth silhouette with metal-coil boning in the under-dress and several petticoats. With the stunning scarlet colour and the festive bow flourish at the waist, I would wear this to the ballet for The Nutcracker in a heartbeat!
Coat (1968), Calvin Klein- Museum at FIT
I recognise that not everywhere has cold weather, but when I think of Christmas fashion, I think of coats. Calvin Klein is still an American fashion legend to this day, and this coat explains why. The mint green is a lovely colour, and works perfect for this muted princess-line silhouette. Yes, any company can make a wool pea coat and ship it out, but the proportions are spot on, and the button detailing makes this. If you were heading to a holiday party, I would absolutely recommend this coat!
Cocktail Dress (1952), Jacques Fath for Joseph Halpert- Museum at FIT
I’ll be very honest, I would wear this Jacques Fath ensemble to literally anything given the chance. However, the deep read colour, the sweeping skirt, and the neck bow detail scream “Christmas” to me. (We need more velvet accessories and accents happening- where did they go?) A similar silhouette to the Dior ensemble I shared above, it is a striking look and works for more formal occasions. Which reminds me- once it is safe again, I vote we bring back holiday parties where we can wear gowns like this!
What do you think of this festive fashion history?
Cheers,
The Historian
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