The Re-Birth Of 'Period Collars'

Vintage trends this Fall are going waaaay back, and I mean way!  All the way back to the days of innocence as there has been a dramatic rebirth of the Victorian style for this upcoming Fall 2011.  During the Edwardian period (1901-1910), high neck collars were popular among women and often adorned with elaborate lace applique and beading & often considered a form of jewelry.  Mind you this style is not to be confused with the gi-normous Elizabethan collars of the Medieval times...

In spite of the fact that the Edwardian collar couldn't be any more modest, covering up 'everything', women of that time actually considered the style to bring an ambiance of allure because of the allure of leaving much to the imagination in that they were giving the viewer 'nothing to see', but 'everything to wonder about'.  That really wasn't such a bad concept eh?  This past year during Paris fashion week 2011, the fashion house of the late designer Alexander McQueen brought new life to the vintage style of Edwardian collars with their Fall line up of suits that entail hints of Goth peppered with industrial chic.  

In regards to Goth, the new generation has definitely been instrumental in bringing back the popularity of the Edwardian collar while at the same time, maintaining true to the original design ...

  pics: photobucket.com, flickr.com, deliaohdelia.blogspot.com, capitolcharlotte.com

Stevie Nicks...Renaissance Gypsy

Who doesn't absolutely adore Stevie Nicks and her free spirited persona that makes you wish you could muster up the moxie to pull off this style?  But of course, the question would arise.."Where in the heck would you wear something like this?"  Regardless, she makes us fantasize about being a rock star!...

Everyone knows her, originally as the front woman for the popular 70's band Fleetwood Mac, who then went on to entertain a successful solo career & everyone knows her for her signature style that usually consists of...'flowing dresses with long diaphanous sleeves, Victorian lace up boots and an accentuating shawl or cape, usually floor length. When you really think about it, she was Goth, before Goth was ever heard of!

She was subtly sexy and when asked about her fashion choices, was quoted in an interview as saying..."I have always looked at it like, people are always wondering what was under all of that in regards to my clothes, I think it's much more sexier than putting it all out there for everyone to see".  She was and still remains, modestly beautiful in her own way...

Designer Ralph Lauren's Fall 2010 show last year had Stevie wannabe's walking the runway as it was all about Gothic prairie dresses, fur tails and luxe gypsy accessories. His Stevie inspired collection was on the mark and rang true to the quote.."Imitation is the highest form of flattery" as Lauren definitely did the songstress proud in replicating her style.

Her style has become vintage timeless and is easy to incorporate into your own wardrobe.  Think anything loose, billowy, chiffon, platform, layers, feathers, hats & you will find your own renaissance gypsy style!

  

      
pics: lavintage.com, elle.com, planetrockstar.co.uk, nickslive.blogspotcom, eyeball.fm, entertainmentwallpaper.com, musicstack.com, allstarpicsnet, workingclassmag.com