It’s a which- came -first- the- chicken -or -egg kind of thing. Does fashion move civilization forward or does civilization dictate fashion? In this loosely based, anything goes, dressed down and dumbed-down climate, fashion has fallen into disrespect. And perhaps rightfully so.
This is, after all, a world of tank tops and flip-flops; jeans wore so low that underwear shows; prison garb; and shorts and shirts that you can’t wear to Grandma’s house (unless of course, this is grandma’s style too.)
So it was with great surprise to hear that coordinated – to the nines – fashion is making a comeback. Or maybe someone in the fashion industry is attempting wishful thinking. Maybe they, like me, long for a time when dress not only dictated fashion but behavior.
I’m talking about plain old-fashioned manners. It’s fashion related whether you share the opinion or not. Some things, as the saying goes, are true whether you believe them or not. For instance, a woman wearing a fitted suit, cinched waist and peplum with pearls, gloves, hat and matching pumps, is not likely to exit a car with her legs spread-eagled yelling obscenities to her boyfriend who left her to open her own car door. Conversely, a man wearing an expensive suit and tie is more likely to help the woman out of the car by opening the door and offering his arm. You just behave better when you’re dressed better.
There’s an old story about Flo Ziegfeld (originator of the Ziegfeld follies back popular in the 20s and 30s) that he used to buy his dancers expensive French silk panties and they were required to wear them under their costumes. When asked why he would spend so much money on something audiences were not going to see, he said something to the effect of: when a woman is wearing expensive silk panties, she walks like she’s wearing expensive silk panties.
To me, a return to ladylike dress – suits and dresses with stockings, matching pumps, gloves, hats and jewelry is a return to civility. When you have to take the time to coordinate yourself, you have to put some thought into your image. You simply can’t do one without the other.
In this respect, one has to be grateful for such shows as Project Runway. On the whole, I am not a fan of the reality tv shows. But I make this one the exception. It’s gratifying to see designers take inspiration from decades past. Obviously I’m not the only one who secretly longs for a return to the glamour of old. You see it all the time on this show. It gives me hope.
I’ve often wondered why fashions such as those worn by Katherine Hepburn in Philadelphia Story are not being copied for today. Take a look at Harlowe, Garbo, or Bette Davis or Cary Grant is “An Affair to Remember.” Who wouldn’t want to look like that or better yet have a date or spouse treat you like that?
I’m not saying we need to go back to Victorian times, or even Edwardian times, when men retired to a drawing room to smoke cigars and left the ladies to discuss their latest embroideries. But a throwback to chivalry, decent language, respect for the person next to you would be a step in the right direction.
Fashion can do its part. And while you’re at it designers – spend some time with Turner Classic Network and give us some Barbara Stanwyck or Joan Fontaine looks. Maybe check out Rear Window for a little bit of Grace Kelly.
Give it up for us, change the world. You can only benefit. Think about all those accessories to get the cash registers blinking and the pride you can feel when you see a well-dressed woman exit a car in a way that exudes breeding and taste.
Make us better, it’s your duty to the future.