Ah History....

So, I just love vintage clothes and historical pieces! I am taking a historical reproduction class right now and am so excited to to make this piece! Its a Victorian bodice reproduction, and there are so many styles I want to make! If you are looking for a good reproduction patterns go to trulyvictorian.com. They have great stuff that is really authentic! Here are a couple of bodices I'm trying to decide between:

I really want to do the coat, but I'm not sure what I want to do! I think I'm leaning toward the "Dinner Jacket" (deep neckline, kind of long tail on the bottom row in the left). I like the neckline and could really make it nice with some beautiful trims. Finally! A project that isn't a stupid size 8! I can actually wear this!!!

I also love this era because I love corsets! I don't mind my hips being so big when I put one on because it is a really curvy hourglass shape. Super sexy! There are a lot of misnomers about corsets, too. They can become bad for your body if abused or used or made incorrectly. They can help shape your waist (I'm not saying make you look like a circus freak but, help shape that hourglass a little), and help after giving birth to help your stomach muscles return to where they are supposed to be, among other things. You ahve to use them correctly to avoid injury though. A good resource for all corset questions would be Farthingales in Santa Monica. The owner/operator Linda Sparks is super knowledgeable (in fact, she is the corset expert in North America!) and has been in the corset business forever! Look for her book and go visit the shop. They have ready made pieces and can do custom work, or help you find supplies to make your own!

This is Cathy. She holds the record for the smallest waist, currently, with a 15" waist. That is the same size as a CD. The smallest recorded was Ethel Granger at 13" pictured at right.

Pictures from www.australia-bodybuilding.com/15inchwaist.htm, http://www.retroxotique.com/photos/Amateur/EthelGranger/EGp2.html, and trulyvictorian.com.

Jeans Fiber Content

Has this happened to anyone else: You spend hours upon hours trying on jeans to find one that is just perfect (and by that I mean a pair that you don't feel like a stuffed sausage in...ugh), finally find that one pair, buy them, take them home and wear them the next day only to figure out that the fiber content is made up of entirely too much spandex in the fiber content so they stretch out so much its like they are an extra size bigger and they fall down to where it is super unflattering (like your belly hangs out) and you spend the rest of the day/night trying to keep from exposing yourself in public? I hate it! So I did some research (which really means I baught some jeans with less spandex in the mix than last time and found a mix that works for me)>

My faavorite jeans I have right now are Gloria Vanderbilt I got at Ross Dress For Less for like $15. Super find! The waist is a little high, but that's better than a little low if you ask me. They have 2% spandex in the fiber content. The last pair of jeans I loved so much I wore them out in 6 months are Levi's 512 Perfectly Slimming Jeans. They also have 2% spandex. I know that it varies with size on what you need for your comfort. For me (a size 16) 2% is the best blend. I would be wary of anything with any more than that. Also, when you get them home, do what you do with new shoes. Break them in. That way you don't find yourself out somewhere with plumber's crack, or worse, with your pants around your ankles (unless...)! Give me feedback on your experiences and what you have found for other sizes.

Skinny Jeans = EEEEWWWWW!

I have something to say about skinny jeans. No one looks good in them unless their legs are rail thin! Plus size ladies - stop wearing those hideous jeans! And those jean leggings (jeggings, I think), are the worst possible thing ever! They make your hips look huge and accent your booty in a baaaaaad way!! THey make us look like grapes with legs. *shudder* Knock it off already!! Stop making us look bad!

Also, low-rise pants are horrible for anyone over a 10 or 12! Hello! Muffin top! Why doesn't anyone wear pants that fit anymore?! UGH! Seriously! Don't you look in a mirror? Don't you want to not look like a fat girl trying to be skinnier than you are? Embrace your body! It is beautiful as it is! If you just dress it right you can be just as sexy as any size 2! Again, seriously!!! Wake up ladies!