There have always been rules in fashion, rules that were meant to be broken (eventually) like, no wearing white after Labor Day. Color matching your handbag, belt, and shoes was imperative for a polished woman of the 1950's. There was a time when fashion etiquette dictated that navy and black should never be worn together. Women were expected to wear hats in public, lest they be considered improper until the 1960’s. Women always wore hosiery with dresses and skirts in public giving way to the acceptance of the mini skirt and bare legs. Though these were etiquette and social rules, they were strictly followed in their day. The progression of casual culture has dismantled much of society's dress code. Fashion is nothing if it is not defiant at times. Now that we are at a point where almost anything goes in our casual society, some fashion guidelines are helpful. Various rules and formulas which can be relied upon to be considered well-dressed have been ...
T he pencil skirt entered mainstream fashion by the early 1940’s. Adapted and modified by many designers, Christian Dior is often credited as the inventor of the pencil skirt. However, the pencil skirt silhouette was already in the marketplace here in the United States before the launch of Christian Dior’s “H-Line” in Paris that has been recognized for introducing it. Christian Dior did give the pencil skirt a little something extra that propelled it forward into fashion stardom. An item that was utilitarian in nature was brought up to high fashion and spotlighted for its flattering effects. The Henderson twins,photo by A.J. O'Brien, May 27, 1939 copyright[Rights holder if known](Flashback) Shown for historical commentary. [photograph from Dior by Dior: The Autobiography of Christian Dior, photo copyright Association Willy Maywald ADAGP Paris and DACS London 2007,shown for historical commentary]. Necessity, the ...