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Category Archives: Glossary
Glossary – Spinster
When the word spinster entered the English language in the mid 14th century, it referred to a woman who spun flax into linen thread or wool into yarn for a living. The job was commonly taken up by unmarried women … Continue reading
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The Leotard
French acrobat Jules Léotard developed the art of trapeze when he first performed a three bar aerial performance on November 12, 1859. He wore a one-piece jersey garment for his trapeze performances that was called a maillot during his time, … Continue reading
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Glossary – Hollanderizing, Shinerizing, Martinizing
Yesterday’s fashion in song post Take Back Your Mink from the 1950 play Guys and Dolls contains the line “So take back your mink to from whence it came, and tell ‘em to Hollanderize it for some other dame!” Hollanderizing is … Continue reading
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Glossary – Beatnik fashion talk
Here are all the fashion terms from the Complete Beatnik Dictionary: So if you are a flutter bum (good looking guy) and want to get all chrome plated (dressed up) in some threads (clothes), you can put shape in a … Continue reading
Glossary – Obroni Wawu
Obroni Wawu is a phrase used in Ghana that literally translates as “dead white man’s clothes”. Many of the clothes donated to charities are sold to Africa, and Ghana is one of the largest purchases of used clothing. However, there is … Continue reading
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Glossary – Scroop
Remember when Rhett Butler comments on Mammy’s new red taffeta petticoat when he hears it rustling? That sound is called ‘Scroop’ and is the distinct crisp, scraping sound made by silk taffeta. The sound is achieved by the silk being … Continue reading
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Glossary – Shivviness
Shivviness (SHIV•ee•ness) The uncomfortable feeling created by wearing new or rough underwear. From the old Yorkshire word ‘shive’ for coarse wool or linen.
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A Century of the Trench Coat
Before 1915 men wore overcoats or raincoats (aka Macs). Overcoats were warm but heavy, and raincoats were light but not warm. The advent of the Great War necessitated a solution to combine the advantages of both styles of coats for … Continue reading
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Glossary – Skeuomorphism
A skeuomorphism (pronounced skyoo-o-morf-izm), is a word created by archaeologist Henry March in 1890 to refer to designs or details that are no longer relevant but still exist. In fashion this can include original design features that are still made, but … Continue reading
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Glossary – Welsh Comb
According to Online Etymology Dictionary, a Welsh comb dates from 1796 and means using your thumb and four fingers to comb your hair. Considering most men had doffed their wigs by the mid 1790s and were sporting their own hair, which … Continue reading