Category Archives: history

Fashion in Song – Point of No Return by Nu Shooz (1986)

Posted on 2018-05-28 by Jonathan

I am bending the rules with this addition because the song isn’t about fashion, but the video uses stop motion to animate a lot of shoes and sneakers – and after all, the band’s name is Nu Shooz… The band … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy (1950)

Posted on 2018-05-21 by Jonathan

The Chatanooga Shoe Shine Boy by Red Foley was at the top of charts in 1950, and was later covered by other artists, including Frank Sinatra, Pat Boone, and Bing Crosby. Have you ever passed the corner of Fourth and … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Them Terrible Boots (1963)

Posted on 2018-04-20 by Jonathan

The Orlons were formed in a Philadelphia high school in 1960. They called themselves The Orlons (after the synthetic fibre) because a popular group at their school called themselves The Cashmeres. After singing back-up for other performers, The Orlons recorded … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Bustle Fluffah (2012)

Posted on 2018-03-31 by Jonathan

A fun video by the cast of Roundabout Theatre Company’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 2012

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Fashion in Song – The Hat My Father Wore on St. Patrick’s Day (1909)

Posted on 2018-03-17 by Jonathan

First recorded by Billy Murray, 1909, the song was revived 40 years later by Gene Kelly in the 1949 film Take Me Out to the Ballgame. “Where did you get that hat?” folks ask me every day “Isn’t it a … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – You Dyed Your Hair Chartreuse (1951)

Posted on 2018-02-28 by Jonathan

Recorded by Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five on August 15, 1950, Chartreuse was released early the next year. You’re a freckled gal You’re a pug-nosed cutey, sweet as Charlotte Russe You’ve got big blue eyes So I ask you … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – A Zoot Suit for my Sunday Gal (1942)

Posted on 2018-01-30 by Jonathan

Recorded several times by different artists in 1942 including the Andrew Sisters, here is the Kay Kyser version: I want a zoot suit with a reet pleat And a drape shape, and a stuff cuff To look sharp enough to … Continue reading →

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Patent Fashions – Dress Sheilds

Posted on 2018-01-18 by Jonathan

The earliest examples of dress shields I have found in garments date from the early 1890s. However, Elizabeth Emerson on a chat group I follow (Fashion Historians United) found a reference to them being a new idea in 1863 when … Continue reading →

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Fashion as song – Union label (1978)

Posted on 2018-01-13 by Jonathan

Written by Paula Green and Malcolm Dodds, 1975: Look for the union label when you are buying that coat, dress or blouse. Remember somewhere our union’s sewing, our wages going to feed the kids, and run the house. We work … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Raspberry Beret (1985)

Posted on 2018-01-12 by Jonathan

I tried posting this fashion song when Prince died, but I couldn’t find it online anywhere…  Raspberry Beret was the first single released from Prince’s 1985 album ‘Around the World in a Day’. BTW – this song really isn’t about … Continue reading →

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