Fashion Lady Crap

Archive for April, 2010

The ancient Norman mail shirt, which was made of felt, leather, and iron, was an important part of the Norman horseman’s outfit and left its mark on masculine fashion in England and worldwide.  Even today, the shirt continues to be an important item in the masculine outfit, and although it is not possible to find a mail shirt (except in a museum), the shirt in its finest evolution can be found on Jermyn Street in the heart of London.  

Jermyn Street shirts have the reputation of having been worn by royalty, aristocracy, world leaders, celebrities and other affluent people from around the world. The sale of fine goods for the upper crust in the area started in 1665, when the Earl of St. Albans, Henry Jermyn, was granted a lease to property in the area from King Charles II. Indeed, the Earl developed the St. James Market House and market place, and what became known as Jermyn Street extended eastward from the market.  On Jermyn Street, the upper class households were further from the market, whilst those people less fortunate lived closer to the market.  

Goods were produced and sold in the St. James Market House and square by shop owners who catered to the range of clientele.  These shop owners included sellers such as butchers and produce vendors.  There were also fine tailors, perfumers, and makers of other quality objects for their wealthy clients.

The lease for the market area passed into different hands in subsequent years, such as to the Lord Godolphin in 1815 and then the Putteney estate in 1740, and although by this time, the area had lost its polish, it was not demolished until 1818.  At the same time, a new market was built to replace the old market, which was still in use.  Business thrived under the attention.  

Jermyn Street’s reputation as the shopping place for the well-heeled crowd was successfully revived in the 1800s.  The business of Turnbull and Asser, Tailor and Shirt Maker was founded in 1885 and the shop moved to Jermyn Street twenty years later.  As a part of bespoke outfitting, Turnbull & Asser continue to offer luxury bespoke shirts that are made to measure, hand cut, and hand sewn and of custom quality.  

Other fine tailors and shirt makers who offer bespoke shirts have taken up residence on Jermyn Street.  Some of these other shops that offer bespoke shirts and tailoring include Harvey & Hudson, Heldritch & Key, Hawes & Curtis, Charles Tyrwhitt as well as Herby Frogg, T. M. Lewin and Sons and Thomas Pink.

Close to Jermyn Street, is the famous intersection known as Piccadilly Circus.  This spot is known around the world as the central area for entertainment and shopping in west London.  There are many excellent places for shopping for items including the made to measure shirts on Piccadilly Street which brings in many English and international customers.

The shirt in history has always made statements about its wearer and has the power to convey personality, wealth, and power. The English bespoke shirts of Jermyn Street have reached a zenith in shirt design and styling, and their quality makes them the top choice for men of affluence and power. For many customers, only the Jermyn Street bespoke shirts will satisfy their needs in a shirt and it is likely that this will continue for many years to come.

As we are moving firmly towards winter 2009, let’s take a look at some of the trends for fall and winter this year. Here are a few of my favorites for this season:



Long over the knee boots.

These are a great addition to keep you warm and dry throughout the rainy and cold season. You can wear these with a whole range of clothes. You don’t just have to stick to keeping them with short skirts. Try them under longer skirts and dresses. They also look great with skinny jeans and other tight trousers.

80s style

I’m all for fashion revivals and the 80s has to be one of the best. Derided by many at the time, it’s coming back with some serious force right now. Be prepared to see some big padded shoulders and shiny fabrics coming in this season. Those big padded shoulders can go on a number of clothing items from blazers, jackets and coats to dresses. Anything that sparkles and glitters is also going to be a big hit.

Capes

Leave behind those tight fitting coats this season because the cape is here. They range in size from those that will just cover your shoulders to long draping capes that will come down to your ankles. Stay well wrapped in one of these and protect yourself from the elements!

Big chunky knits

Another great item that’s going to help you look stylish while you keep the chills away. Big chunky knits are all the rage this season. Look for sweaters and cardigans, scarves and dresses. Patterns on the big knits should be bold and chunky.

One shoulder look

Now this one has been around for a little while now and is going from strength to strength. Asymmetric lines are key and this look applies to a while range of clothing items. From dresses and tops right through to swimwear you can see that the one shoulder look is everywhere.

Hopefully you love these new (and not so new) styles as much as I do. I’m especially fond of my new cape and I’m almost looking forward to some really cold winter weather knowing that I’m all snugly wrapped away.

It is perhaps a professional amateur karaoke singer’s wet dream: Book Carnegie Hall, one of the biggest, most infamous venues in the country, pack the stage with a veritable who’s who of pop music, and let them join together for a brilliant and rousing version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”

Now: what if the who’s who included big names like Lady Gaga, Elton John, Debbie Harry and Mary J. Blige? Bizarre and mind-warping, but they are all divas (especially Elton). But throw in New Jersey’s finest, Bruce Springsteen, and you’ve got a truly improbable fever dream.

Or so you’d think. But it all really happened recently, reports the New York Daily News, as part of an annual fundraiser designed to preserve parts of the Amazon rainforest. The star-studded event was originally organized by Sting, and since starting it has become a wonderful way to watch pop stars cover each other’s musical material.

Seductress Lady Gaga most definitely stole the show at the recent Carnegie Hall event, appearing in a white dress that resembled bandage wrappings, or perhaps a mummy’s ballroom gown. While most of the evening’s other artists took a more comical or free-wheeling tact, Lady Gaga went for serious. Sitting at a piano, she performed a moving version of “Stand by Me.” It was certainly a different side of the fashionista pop figure that the mainstream has gotten used to seeing through artsy videos and live stage shows.

Of course, she had some competition in the form of Elton John, who seems to have been trying to gather eyeballs with his own vivacious performance. To begin with, he chose Madonna’s songs “Material Girl” and “Like a Virgin” as covers. And while he’s not young enough to pull off the eye-popping costumes that Lady Gaga gets away with, he found some nice young men who were—though it wasn’t their costumes that made eyes pop, but rather the lack of them. The “Bad Boys of Dance” troupe was synchronized to Elton John’s performance, and they seemed to impress the Daily News: “Taking a deep, and well-advised, breath, he dove into Madonna’s “Material Girl” and “Like a Virgin” while a kick line of go-go boys in Speedos flitted around him with moves worthy of Cirque Du Soleil.”

One has to wonder if Elton John feels slightly intimidated by Lady Gaga, the new reigning queen of campy costumes and art-house stage performances in the music realm. We think not; they seem to get along well enough—so well, after all, that they joined Debbie Harry of Blondie, R&B singer Mary J. Blige and rock legend the Boss for the Journey cover of “Don’t Stop Believing.” Rumors have abounded online that Springsteen had never actually heard the song before rehearsing for the show. Video that was smuggled out of the venue and is floating around on YouTube reveals the whole crew delivered one of the most awesome versions of the song anyone has ever heard.

There’s just one thing that could top it, and that’s Gaga’s astounding live shows. Get Lady Gaga tickets from StubHub.