Is It Right To Wear White?

There's always been that age old fashion etiquette rule that's told us white after Labor Day is a 'no-no' but is it really?  It's true that the non hue clothing choice has always been associated with cooler climates, primarily Summer but if we go as far back to the 1920's, white was oftentimes linked to an elite society of socialites who vacationed in the Hampton's whereas the working class spent their time working year round to make ends meet. Some have claimed that wearing white in the Winter reflects light and heat and actually makes the wearer cold.  Who really knows the origin of the no white after September deal & does it really matter in the current day with all of the 'out there' designs & color schemes that seem to have no boundaries?  I would say..."NO"!

Celebrated in the United States, Labor Day is said to be the official mark to the end of Summer as vacations come to an end and children head back to school and throughout history, both Fall & Winter have always been thought of as darker color seasons in regards to apparel.  French designer CoCo Chanel believed 'white was right' year round as it was a permanent part of her personal wardrobe.  She dared to wear her signature white suit year round...

In vintage days wearing white was connected with 'snobbery' & 'keeping cool' but for all intents and purposes, especially in the 21st century, there is really no good reason not to wear white twelve months out of the year. With that being said, it's a personal choice and you're not going to be shunned for it.  For Fall/Winter 2011 we are seeing a lot of white on the front as Yves St. Laurent, Stella McCartney & Calvin Klein are showing us that white can be so right in spite of the idea that we've all held onto for years.

On a more casual & affordable level, white paired with anything is what is trendy for the cooler weather that's just right around the corner. So remember that it's your right to rock the white from here on out!

      


pics: otownstyle.com, myhero.com, elle.com, laurenhamptondesigns.blogspot.com

    

CoCo Chanel A Nazi Spy?

The reputation of the revered designer CoCo Chanel is being put to the test as speculations have surfaced that she was a Nazi spy.  It wasn't kept a secret that she dated a German military intelligence officer during the war who was later found out to be a Abwher spy. The question remains as to whether or not she knew this info and if so, did that make her guilty by association?  A book was released this week suggesting that she did know and that she was actually a part of the operation.

American author, Hal W. Vaughan, a veteran of both World War II & the Korean War, worked with the U.S. intelligence community in Geneva and claims to have had intimate connections with international relations.  In his book, Vaughan even states that Chanel served Abwehr as Agent 7124, under the code-name 'Westminster'.  It was even suggested in his writings, that she was a liaison who attempted to orchestrate a meeting between Hitler and Winston Churchill in Madrid.  This puts a definite damper on the legacy the poverty born Chanel has left behind & since she passed in 1971, she's not here to defend the accusations.   

If she was in fact a part of the debauchery that was the Holocaust, all I have to say is..."Sucks to be you right bout' now CoCo" because those are some heavy duty irreparable sins!        




pics: torbaytorq.co.uk, documentingreality.com

The Lure of The Little Black Dress

For decades, women everywhere have been in pursuit of the perfect 'little black dress'.  Why you ask? ... Because the 'right' LBD has the ability to create a slimming illusion on the most curviest of frames, so make no mistake...the color black is a girl's best friend!

Prior to the 1920's the color black was reserved for periods of mourning and considered appalling to be worn for anything but however, in 1926, 'Coco' Chanel published a photo of a short, simple black dress in 'Vogue' and the concept took off and became a fashion staple for women of taste.  The LBD has evolved since the beginning of its vintage roots in regards to cuts and fabrics but remains as popular as it ever was.


In 1961, the now vintage fashion icon & once Hollywood starlet Audrey Hepburn wore a little black dress by designer Hubert de' Givenchy in the cult classic 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' and this gave rise to this simple, yet absolutely glamorous look.

I have recently done some research on how to acquire a unique yet affordable 'LBD' and here's what I found...  You can get your own 'little black dress' for under $100.00 at Forever 21, Victoria's Secret, Express and Charlotte Russe.

: fashionwithethics.files . wordpress.com , farm3.static.flickrcom , taheena.blogspot.com , storage.koinup.com , thegloss.com , harpersbazaar.com , thegloss.com , splendora.com