On the Terrace, by Max Nonnenbruch - 1857-1922
The Pink Dress, 1864, by Frederick Bazille (French)available from allposters.com
Woman in a Rose Garden, by Felix Hippolyte-Lucas (1854-1925) French available from allposters.com
The Wedding Dress, by George Goodwin Kilburne
Hollyhocks, by Jonathon Eastman Johnson (1839-1924)
Beautiful Bouquet, by Eisman Semenowsky (Polish) 1857-1911
Pink Lady Victorian 1880 , Redwood Coast, California
from "Divine Wedding Cakes"I posted the house and cake to show that color ideas for clothing can come from different sources, although most of these sources actually are inspired from the colors of nature.
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Each of these packets has a few glittered rose-buttons, which I used on this sparkly dress.
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This is 100% cotton fabric, with a glitter glaze and a white star print all over it. The glittered fabric seems to be stronger and last longer, getting softer as it is washed and worn. It does not have much "give," so it needs patterns which require wovens.
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If you are always a bride and never a bridesmaid, you have probably been married quite awhile. I thought it might be fun to have a bridesmaids dress, using the Laura Ashley pattern, from the 1980's, McCalls 8909.
This is a vintage pattern and you can still purchase it in various places on the web. It is not for beginners. The garment was, in my opinion, very difficult to sew, --that is why it took so long, but I liked the picture on the envelope.. If you attempt this, use some thin cotton, and follow the directions to the letter. There was not enough fabric for the ruffle, so I used muslin. .jpg)
Do not lift or remove this picture or place it anywhere else on printed material or the web, without permission from me. All rights reserved.
To imitate this look with an easier pattern, try New Look 6586. Lengthen it when you cut it out, and add a sleeve from another pattern. This pattern sews up much more quickly. If you have only a few yards of fabric, use the New Look 6352, add a ruffle around the neckline, add a sleeve and a ruffle at the hem. It is easier to sew, although, in my opinion the NL 6352 has some fitting flaws (but still you can wear it, which is better than what you have in stores) . Try also the Its so easy 2901 Simplicity, as it fits better. The ideas are to inspire a type of look, and you do not have to follow them exactly..jpg)
Do not lift or remove this photograph without permission from me. All rights reserved.
.jpg)
Each of these packets has a few glittered rose-buttons, which I used on this sparkly dress.
.jpg)
This is 100% cotton fabric, with a glitter glaze and a white star print all over it. The glittered fabric seems to be stronger and last longer, getting softer as it is washed and worn. It does not have much "give," so it needs patterns which require wovens.
.jpg)
If you are always a bride and never a bridesmaid, you have probably been married quite awhile. I thought it might be fun to have a bridesmaids dress, using the Laura Ashley pattern, from the 1980's, McCalls 8909.
This is a vintage pattern and you can still purchase it in various places on the web. It is not for beginners. The garment was, in my opinion, very difficult to sew, --that is why it took so long, but I liked the picture on the envelope.. If you attempt this, use some thin cotton, and follow the directions to the letter. There was not enough fabric for the ruffle, so I used muslin. Do not lift or remove this picture or place it anywhere else on printed material or the web, without permission from me. All rights reserved.To imitate this look with an easier pattern, try New Look 6586. Lengthen it when you cut it out, and add a sleeve from another pattern. This pattern sews up much more quickly. If you have only a few yards of fabric, use the New Look 6352, add a ruffle around the neckline, add a sleeve and a ruffle at the hem. It is easier to sew, although, in my opinion the NL 6352 has some fitting flaws (but still you can wear it, which is better than what you have in stores) . Try also the Its so easy 2901 Simplicity, as it fits better. The ideas are to inspire a type of look, and you do not have to follow them exactly.
Do not lift or remove this photograph without permission from me. All rights reserved.
Today, I would like to recommend Pandora Radio (its free) on your speakers, from the web, the following: Liebestraum no. 3 Notturnos for Piano, by Franz Liszt by London Philharmonic Orchestra. Let me know how you like it!
For your own protection, and privacy, please do not reveal your blog link. Please post Anonymously or make up a name to distinguish yourself. Cyber stalking is a serious problem. Please protect yourself.
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68 comments:
Dear Lady Lydia,
thank your for the lovely pictures with the pink dresses. Pink is my favourite color and I often wear it.
I have found beautiful reproduction fabrics on the internet, which have a reasonal price (5 - 10 dollars). At least this is reasonal compared to Switzerland, were one yard costs three times more at least! It is even cheaper for me to order from the US including shipping than buying in Switzerland.
The address is: www.reproductionfabrics.com
The dress you made is really very beautiful. I have seen the pattern too on the internet, but I think, it is too difficult for me.
Kind regards
New look 6587 is very similair to this pattern. I've often thought of purchasing it, but haven't done so yet. Has anyone else, and if so, how does it come together?
Dear Lady Lydia, I had not visited in a while and I have had so much fun looking back over ALL the gorgeous dresses you have created. They look really pretty on you. And it's neat to see the paintings that feature lovely clothes. It makes it seem like you are part of those scenes. Can I ask a question, though... why are we posting our comments anonymously, now?
YEs pink is so soft and pretty. I am going to be sewing pinks for the next few posts.
In answer to the question about anonymous. You should even make your blogs anonymous, don't post your photographs, and make up a name and never reveal your location. Its too late for me, as Ive been here since 2005, but you might protect yourself. There is a ring of women who stalk homemakers blogs and steal pictures and post addresses and phone numbers of the homemakers. They target anyone who believes in the things of home and family if it is not exactly like them. Anyone associated with them, needs to get far away from them .
Today I want to do something different and welcome all the ladies in Universities who come here. Thank you so much for keeping up with this blog. I have been asked to write about universities and femininity and will do so eventually.
Welcome to the young lady at The George Washington University! I also appreciate any comments from students, as they have a picture of what is going on in those institutions that they can tell the outside world.
welcome to the young lady from the CHarles Stark Draper Laboratory! I hope there are some things here that will make you feel at home, while you are away from home.
welcome to the young lady at the San Diego State University! Perhaps your presence there will influence a sewing department or domestics department, where these skills can be taught to young women and prepare them for being wives and mothers and homemakers. That USED to be the case in nearly every college in the country.
I hope your visit here is pleasant!
Welcome to the young lady at The National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Because of internet stalkers who stole my photographs from my blog and located me from my personal profile, we have had to move. People began to phone us! Others located my husband at work and harrassed his employer. I would second the motion to go anonymous everywhere you post. You can still use your name, just dont let it connect to your blog. And, yes, make your blogs more anonymous if you can! We also had people who came by the house and took pictures. If this happens to you, have a camera and take a picture of THEM, as this is stalking, and it is is illegal.
I will be showing the dress on me when company comes for tea today. She can take my picture. This dress is more formal, and if I were to wear it casually, I would take off the ruffle and shorten the sleeves.
Yes I do wear sleeveless at home in hot weather, but in public I put on a cotton crochet lace cardigan over it. I realize some women can wear sleeveless but I think as a woman gets older, its nicer to cover the upper arms. Thats my observation.
Lydia,
I have really enjoyed your sewing pictures ; the lovely pictures of real ladies and beautiful scenery is so comforting that I have found your website the place to go to each day just to look at such pretty things.
I sew and would love the number of the Laura Ashley pattern shown today. It is really pretty and has ruffles which I love.
Thank you for all your wonderful posts. I am wondering if you would do a post on the pressure older homemakers receive from their husbands and relatives to work outside the home.
Dear Lady Lydia,
what a beautiful dress this is! It's a real masterpiece, and it fits you just perfectly!
Lydia, please don't let yourself "put down" from the stalkers (is put down the right word?). They are just jealous or frustrated or take pleasure in being nasty to others.
You must know, you are an inspiration for so many homemakers and women who long to be more feminine. You are a great woman and we all admire you so much!
I'm the one who said, that pink is my favourite color (the Swiss woman). I happen to have some pink linnen around for a couple of weeks and did always hesitate a bit if I should actually make a dress out of it. I was afraid, that other women would laugh at me. But now I feel reassured that I can wear such a dress without worry, especially because it's my favourite color.
Have a good day and don't let yourself bring out of balance. It's these women's problem, if they don't like your way of living.
Dear Lydia,
I have been wanting to write for a while as I have read this series, and share something I saw at the grocery store a few weeks ago. There was a downs syndrome girl in her teens with a lady (her mother?). The girl was so nicely dressed, in a long skirt and nice top that looked like it came from a fine department store like some of the things Penney's used to offer. Her hair was neatly combed and styled and I just felt so happy that someone took the time to not only care for her in this extra way. I know it must be very wearying to deal with those who care for others that have medical concerns, or disabilities, and I am not wanting to offend anyone who does, for I know they all do everything they can for them. I do want to say I appreciated the person who took some extra-special time on that girl. It also reminded me of those who volunteer their time in the nursing homes to do the hair, nails, makeup of elderly women who cannot any longer do it themselves. We forget that they were once women who felt more dignified when their hair was combed.
You look lovely! BTW, has anybody ever heard of South Dakota artist Terry Redlin? He did scenes of the pioneer days (among others), and a famous one called Amber Waves of Grain shows a man and wife plowing a field together, and she is wearing a dress. You can google this.
That is one of my absolute fave dresses.
Have you thought about making and selling these dresses? People could pay you via PayPal, and then you's ship the dresses to them.
I'd be one of the first in line to purchase, and I would bring a lot of eager customers with me. :-)
I may one day make a special one just to sell!
thank you to the lady who wrote about seeing herself in the mirror from the back.Since I have been reading the series on dresses,I have paid a lot more attention to what others might see, what might make other people's minds go in the wrong direction, and what kind of thing I am portraying in public. I think we got so used to wearing jeans that we didn't realize!
How lovely! I check your blog probably way too often, to see if you've posted anything new. I also enjoy reading all the comments.
My husband did not like the first dress I made but he loves the skirt I made after that! I think he'll like the first dress better when I get the apron made for it, as the waistband will give it some shape.
I was delighted to read, several posts back, that you had the same idea, about making aprons to coordinate with the dresses. I can't wait to see what you come up with!
I bet those women from the universities have been told to write essays or papers about feminine women. There are not very many places to research such a subject. Dear Lydia, you can consider yourself honored at least to be the opposite of a shrewish man hater of which there is no shortage.
I saw one of those today at the grocery store. She humiliated her husband who was being extremely gallant to me. She was wearing skin tight pants a sloppy tank top and a crew cut.
She was speaking in a loud strident voice, telling him in no uncertain terms what he was going to do. I felt sorry for him and pretended that I didn't notice. The man shrunk into himself and frowned and spoke firmly back to her. I hurriedly moved away, however, my daughter started giggling when two aisles away we could still hear her scolding and harassing that poor man. No wonder divorce is through the roof!
So, in conclusion, hurray! hurray, for Lady Lydia. Who is a fine example of a Godly, feminine, decent woman who stands strong in the face of these ugly old hags.
Thank you for your courage. I applaud you and I am sure many husbands wish that their mean wives were exactly like you.
Those pitiful women are so busy demanding their rights, that they cannot see that they have already lost all that is precious in this life. Love and respect can only be given freely. Demanding it will only cause if to grow wings and fly away.
Lady Lydia: I've been following your blog since nearly the beginning. Prior to that, I'd been reading some of your postings and articles related to Ladies Against Feminism.
Those of the anti woman mindset seem to have a bad habit of attacking and threatening people personally when they find they are in disagreement.
We've seen this behavior again and again with friends and family over topics like abortion, homosexual marriage and our new president.
Downright hatred and hostility toward those who espouse a traditional Christian 'lifestyle.'
They call us "haters" ! That's a good one. Just a bunch of lies and propaganda ...
I think it's pretty scary to see where our country is headed.
Dear Lady Lydia,
You look like a painting yourself, beautiful and elegant. I’d hang this portrait in my living room if I looked like this!
You look absolutely beautiful and are an inspiration. Thank you.
What a day and age we live in when we have to feel afraid to wear a feminine pink dress lest other women will laugh at us. But, it's true.
Absolutely beautiful! Now I really want to sew! :)
Dear Lady Lydia,
Thank you so much for tackling this topic. I have been dressing in mainly dresses/skirts for the past couple of years, and I love it! However, I mainly wear skirts and tops since I have a nursing baby. I do have a couple of nursing dresses, but they just don't seem as easy to nurse in as a skirt and top. Your dresses are so pretty, though, that you have inspired me to try my hand at sewing some new dresses that are also nursing friendly. Perhaps some of your readers could comment on any nice patterns they have made which apply to this issue? I am an experienced seamstress, and I have ideas on how I could alter a dress to be nursing accessible. But having a ready-made pattern would be so much easier! Also, do you know how women in the past dressed to nurse their babies? I'm assuming they wore dresses which buttoned down the front. I would love to find a website that shows examples of such historical dresses, but haven't had any luck so far. Anyway, thank you for sharing your beautiful dresses with us. You are truly inspiring and I look forward to reading more!
To the nursing mama: Elizabeth Lee Designs are lovely, and very like many of the dresses Lady Lydia has been showing.
Now that I am not nursing, I am still using these dress patterns by merging the pieces used in the bodice to eliminate the nursing openings.
Her web address is http://www.elizabethlee.com/ and the patterns also turn up on ebay quite frequently.
I agree that the Elizabeth Lee designs patterns are very nice nursing dresses and blouses. Ive sewn several of them, and they have such flattering shapes that you can sew up the side seams of the bodice and use them years afterwards.
To the lady, who wanted to know where to buy nursing friendly sewing patterns:
www.sensibility com and www.bakerlane com have lovely dresses which are made for nursing.
Very pretty dress, Lady Lydia. I know the feeling others have spoken of about feeling conspicuous and self-conscious in wearing feminine clothes. Sad, I know, and I wish I didn't worry about it at all.
In the truest sense, you are a 'real' Cover Girl. Your natural grace shines through in these lovely dresses, a wholesome model of femininity. Thank you for the extraordinary work you are doing here, gently bringing us back to ourselves. Blessings.
Greetings to the young woman at Landmark Communication--Landmark Printing, visiting my blog from work.
I am visiting a Hawaiian site online that has some beautiful dresses and will post the link soon. The pink dress was an experiment because I always wanted to see what it would be like. It was very comfortable. There was a party where people were invited to wear any dress from any historical period from 1900 back, and it was interesting to see the different costumes.
I showed this to someone and the first thing they said was "Wow!" and then they asked "Where would you wear that?"
My answer was:
Perhaps just for a picture to send to someone, or maybe as a still for a painting at some later time.
Maybe she made it just for the experience of some more complicated sewing techniques. I do that too, just for learning. I recently began sewing "felt food", starting with desserts, and it just fascinates me. I cant wait to get all my housework done, so I can spend a few moments with my sewing basket and some creative thing.
I told her one might wear this to a tea party, which is quite the thing these days. I keep expecting tea parties and reenactments to go out of popularity but they are bigger than ever!
I said maybe you could wear it to a family reunion or someone's wedding. It would certainly be more respectful than some of the shorts and flip-flops, thongs and cleavage showing tops at public events today.
She might wear it to someone's birthday party. She might invite someone to her home for a special visit.
As it wears out, she might remove the ruffle and buttons and wear it more casually in the home for a regular days work. Since it is cotton, she can do that more easily, when a lot of "formals" still hang in the closet, made of chiffon and delicate fabrics unsuitable for daily wear.
One think I know for sure: the dress will never be wasted, even if you never wear it. The picture was a glorious re-enactment of paintings of the 1800's and I thank you for sharing it. It does no harm to show a piece of beauty in this world of cynics, sad and fallen.
Dear Lady Lydia,
This is by far the most fabulous of your dresses to date. The white ruffle at the hem of the skirt plus the white satin sash give it so much more interest than if everything were pink.
As I admired it, my eye was drawn to the lovely quilt draped over the back of the couch. It looks like the double wedding ring pattern. In any case, it is lovely too. You must do a great deal of needlework at your house!
Thank you for being such an encouragement to ladies of all ages who want to wear lovely clothing.
Kind regards from Mrs. T.
Greetings to the young lady who has taken time out from her studies to visit this blog, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology! I hope you are as thrilled as I am with the Norwegian artists of the 19th and 18th century that I have included in my posts the last few months. I hope there is a gallery there that displays the wonderful artists of Norway of that century.I believe we can learn a lot from these paintings.
Greetings also to the young lady from the Virginia COmmonwealth University, in Richmond Virginia. WHat a rich history your town has, and how wonderful to be living in a part of the country that originally formed the new nation, conceived in liberty!
I dont want to hurt any feelings, but I will delete any comment that has a your picture or blog connected to it. It is not because I dont like you, it is because I do like you and want to help you preserve your privacy and your freedom on the web. I do not know if other blogs are doing this--I might be one of the first, but this is an anonymous -only blog from now on. If you wish , you can email me personally. Thanks so much and dont forget to press the anonymous button!
I also sew only modest apparel, and I REALLY like this dress! You look so pretty! That's how a lady should dress for a special occasion! Modest, pretty, and feminine. AS I diet, I might like to make a similar dress in the near future - but as I am 52 yrs old, I would choose a rose or perhaps a burgundy color for myself.
A gifted seamstress you are!
There has been a lot of identity theft recently, and this is very wise advice. Everyone should remove pictures of their children from their blogs, as well. You might not think it will happen to you. You might think it is only "high profile " people, but it happens to anyone.
Mrs. T. I sewed a double wedding ring quilt for an old friend, and after I gave it to her, I really missed it, so I bought this one from someone else!
To Lydia and all:
"Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:58
Greetings in the name of our Lord to the women at the John Hopkins Medical Institutions. Thank you so much for taking your coffee break with us here at Living at Home.
This dress got me thinking: does anyone have trouble with long, full dresses getting in the way of everyday tasks?( I realize the one you are wearing is not a work dress). I have always prefered more tailored clothing, and all my everday skirts are straight or a-line, and come to about mid calf, but I was going thru some of my patterns yesterday, and found a few full skirts, and thought I would ask the homemaking queens (I really mean that! I'm not being sarcastic!) here for their thoughts.
Thanks!
"Bess" (I made that up, I feel like I should be sigining off somehow, plus I've always liked that name;oP)
Lady Lydia, Thank you again! I have to post this before I leave for the day to visit my daughter's family. I am the one who started my diet on July 6th. I feel comfortable enough now to not feel weird wearing skirts and looking pretty. I pray everyday for grace to be ME! Well I wore a bright floral fushia colored skirt/white shirt and had my hair cut to shoulder length to church last night and the PASTOR told me I looked 20 years younger!!! I used to wear a dumb looking T-shirt and a skort and had my hair up in one of those quickie buns. Ladies!! JUST DO IT!! It feels so good to be pretty!!
PS I walked the dog in a skirt today!! Dear hubby loves it all!!!!
Dear granddaughter loves my hair down too. She runs her fingers through it! She plays in my skirts! So NICE! ;)
I pruned my bushes in a dress today -- a cotton yard-sale dress. No big deal.
I neglected to add my praise to you Lady Lydia for the sweet looking pink dress.
I, like some others who've posted here, have felt very uncomfortable and conspicuous when dressed femininely. I currently only wear dresses to church and get the cold shoulder there from all the ladies in my "peer group."
It's amazing how much peer pressure has it's influence on so many of us. Not even with words, but in example only.
Greetings to the students at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California;
the student at the University of Houston,
Rice University in Houston, Texas,
University of Rochester, in Rochester, New York,
University of Houston, in Houston, Texas.
I am glad you found the time from your busy work to check here and enjoy the historical art work of the 18th ad 19th centuries.
"Bess", I find that I have the opposite problem. I am used to full skirts and have trouble working around the house wearing slim tailored skirts. In hot weather, a full skirt is cooler too.
Lydia,
You are doing what the Word of God teaches in Titus 2:3-5. Don't stop. I am praying for you.
You ARE making a difference! You are encouraging the younger women. Keep it up, may the Lord bless you and yours.
May the Lord bless your work Lydia. May the Lord God of hosts protect you.
Lydia,
You are doing what the Word of God teaches in Titus 2:3-5. Don't stop. I am praying for you.
You ARE making a difference! You are encouraging the younger women. Keep it up, may the Lord bless you and yours.
Stunning! Just stunning! I want to make this dress very badly. When I get home from my holiday, if I can make the time, I'm going to try something similar.
Thanks for this series. It's just wonderful.
This is really inspiring, Lydia. You don't see things like this in the stores. I'm going to start sewing.
That cake is absolutely beautiful!!
Anonymous at 1:28, I'm the lady with the mirror who was shocked at my appearance from behind. I can't get enough of these posts, can you? I log on eagerly every day.
A full length mirror can avoid many an embarrassing outing, I believe. Even with my more modest outfits, I've had days when I didn't realize the back of my skirt was riding up and my slip was showing, or there was a seam that had separated. Always good to do a quick check before you leave the house!
You can call me "Jo." One because it was my grandmother's name (Josephine) , and second because I always think of her character from Little Women. Not classically beautiful, but had beautiful hair...that's me!
Oooh, that made me think...have you ever done a post on long hair care, Lady Lydia?
Jo :)
Lady Lydia,
I've already posted, but I still can't get over how pretty this dress is. You look like a fairy tale princess!! Love it!
Thanks so much for all you do!
Lady Lydia, your pink dress is SOOOO beautiful. I have had some beautiful pink broadcloth in my "stash" for a number of years, but I feared to sew it, fearing looking "too young" or something....I think I need to get it out and sew it up. Your dress SO reminds me of my wedding dress, yellow dotted swiss with white lace trim....I got rather teary-eyed. But I am sure I can find something I can sew the pretty pink fabric up in, something "suitable". Thank you, thank you! Kathleen in IL
I've been gone for a few days, & was so eager to check on your blog, hoping you'd have another dress to show us. :o)
To "Bess": I go back & forth between skirts & pants for my house & garden work. It really depends on what I feel like on a given day....& of course, what's available to wear (read: what's not in the laundry!). But, for me anyway, the most important thing is to have an apron on. I have saved the look of so many of my clothes by using an apron.
I was a little saddened to read that some of your commenters, here, are being chastised for wearing the color pink. What???!!! That's insane! My goodness, if that's your color, ladies, by all means wear it. I think everyone has a favorite couple of colors....ones they always feel pretty in.
I also thank you for insisting on the Anonymous option for posting comments. For a long while, when I would comment on a blog, I felt as though people were, perhaps, getting the feeling that I (as an Anon. commenter) didn't want to be part of things, in a fuller sense of the word. I always signed my first name, though, but am certainly happy to comply with your wishes to leave that off entirely, as well. It seems, by what you've said, there is more than good reason to guard against any hint of our identity.
What a grand dress. Wear it often, be an example. I am so tired of looking at undressed females. It is just atrocious what passes for "clothing" these days.
How beautiful are the feet of them that bring good news.
I have a new saying for you: A woman should look like an iced cake.
For the comment about the color pink: I didnt see any comments about pink in the negative, but I will say that all you have to do is look through the paintings that male artists have done of women in the 1800's. Obviously there were some pink dresses around in those days and women wore them.
My blog got one of those 3 hour coffee breaks from a medical establishment the other day. I hope it means something good, and that women at work will be able to come home and enjoy life!
Regarding looking in the mirror, particularly the rear view - when I was a youngster, this was told to young girls over and over again. Back then we wore slips, and you checked to see if the slip was showing. When you bought a new garment, all stores had a three way mirror so you could check all the angles. "Check the rear view" was something that my mother said automatically whenever we were getting ready to go out, or when I wanted to buy a garment and she'd seen already that it was unflattering on me from behind.
It was when someone took a movie of me back in my jeans-wearing days that I finally realised this wasn't my mother simply nagging. No-one sees themselves walking from behind, naturally - and I had no idea that those high waisted jeans, with a short top, made my backside look like this GREAT BIG WOBBLY THING. I nearly died of humiliation, and have never put on another pair of trousers, jeans or pants again. They do not flatter me, and if I'm going to wear a long tunic over them, well, I'd really just rather wear a skirt or dress and do without the extra layers of fabric.
These days, taking a video is easy, even some cellphones have the technology. If in doubt about an outfit's appearance from behind, get someone to film a few seconds of you walking away from them. It will serve the purpose of the old three way mirrors that seem to have entirely disappeared from store fitting rooms.
for you, Lady Lydia
Beauté charme:
The total effect; the way one talks, smiles, moves, and gestures.
and might I add: dress's.
The present phobia about pink ranges from quiet avoidance of the colour all the way through strident condemnations of it. I can't believe the things some women say in my shop when they encounter something pink. You would think it did something bad to their eyes, or that it would burn their skin off if it touched them. Others really want to buy something pink, but are afraid to.
I had one particularly strident type tell me that pink didn't occur in Nature! I just mentioned the name of about ten pink flowers, right off the bat and she looked surprised. Then she told me that pink certainly didn't occur in minerals and gemstones, and they were from the earth. I handed her a piece of rose quartz and mentioned that there are many other pink gemstones. She sounded like she was repeating something that had been dunned into her again and again, and seemed bamboozled over that bit of pink stone! It was sad. I could see that she was really drawn to it, but somewhere, someone had told her that pink was unnatural, foisted on women by the evil men, and would take away all her freedom if she wore it.
There is something really sad about a woman rejecting something I can see she loves and wants to buy with the reason, "Well, it's too feminine for me." As if it has become wrong, somehow, for women to like feminine things!
Now, I'm six feet tall, very large framed and in the process of losing weight. I also have a complexion that has become increasingly ruddy over the years (the curse of the Irish). So yes, I would have to be careful in wearing pink - but that doesn't mean I can't do it! It's a matter of what suits each individual. I need to avoid gathers, ruffles and anything that gives me breadth, but streamlined, tailored and sleek items work very well for me. I wouldn't wear bright pink near my face, but I have had some things in dusty pinks and goldish pinks that actually toned down my redness. I also have a pink and grey dress that always gets me compliments.
I once saw the actress, Helen Hayes, on a talk show. She was in her eighties then, I think, and she wore a beautifully feminine pink skirt suit. The soft colour complimented her face and hair, and she looked magnificent. On either side of her were younger actresses who were wearing the most extreme seventies styles, one in some absurd dress with a huge hole deliberately placed on the midriff. Let's say that all through the show, she was having a wardrobe malfunction because she was not wearing a bra, and things were going south. Miss Hayes looked so elegant and refined next to these very attractive young women in their fashionable tatters. She also looked completely comfortable and serene while they looked harassed and anxious. After all, she wasn't having to worry that she was about to fall out of a hole in the middle of her gown!
I was not aware of the prejudice against the color pink. I can think of a lot of pink in nature:
the inside of a white murex shell is pink. The contrast of the inside pink bordered by the lovely white on the outside shell is just beautiful, like the wedding cake you show.
A pink sunset. Has anyone ever seen a pink sunset and said to themselves: "ick, pink . Pink is not a natural color"?
Pink birds: Yes, some birds are pink.
Pink butterflies: There are a lot of those around!
Pink trees: In spring, many trees are full of pink blossoms before their leaves turn green or dark burgundy.
Pink rocks: Yes, occasionally you can find pale pink rocks or stones
Pink Clay: the kind that the tiles are made from make beautiful roofs in countries like Spain and Mexico. From a hilltop, all these villages with pink tile roofs presents a wonderful sight.
Pink grapefruit!
When you press a certain kind of grape, the juice comes out pink.
Certain varieties of strawberries and other berries are pink. If girls dont like pink, they ought to turn down the next strawberry ice cream they are offered.
Whomever is spreading the lie against pink has sold a lot of young girls "a bill of goods" --an old expression. I'd much rather see them in pink than in that dour black and faded jeans that they wear. They all look like druids in their hoodies and they look depressed. A bit of pink would make them feel a lot better.
My husband and I have just returned from a wedding of a friend's son. yes, there was a bit of skimp (one lady would have been completely undone if a few stitches had failed) However, many of the ladies dressed beautifully; lovely dresses, skirts and blouses or smart taylored yet feminine suits. A few dears wore jersey who, ehm, shouldn't have even dreamed of doing so (my husband gave a wonderful running commentary) and the mother of the groom was incredibly elegant; long skirt, glitter blouse in blue and a beautiful wide brim hat; wonderfully structured and put together. She's just been in the US; was on a holiday and took a tourbus trip. Well, she wore a lovely feminine purfume; I know her, she wears such descretely) and someone sitting behind her said 'What purfume are you wearing'? whereupon our friend replied with its name only to be greeted with, loudly, harrassingly and rudely 'Well, I think it stinks!' loud enough for those around her to hear. Now australia is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but she came away distincly unimpressed with the look of many women, the rudeness and the likes of the harrassment she received. So, ladies who are harrassed for looking beautiful and feminine, my heart goes out to you, as does the heart of this friend.
To naysayers out there, manners cost nothing, being nice and considerate, whatever your views will not shave a second from your lives.
As for pink not occuring in nature, Oh my gosh!! this is ridiculous!!!! I have in a rather extensive mineral collection rose quarts in all stages of refinement (from the bare rock to polished sphere), I've also pink saphire, and pink granite. Australia is the world's capital for pink diamond!! (this is natural, not man-made or doctored in any way!! then there is the Australian Galar with the pink breast, peach, cherry and plum blossom, daisy, natural Rhotadendrim, orchids, roses, (without doctoring), What about the pink flamingo? WE've even pink saltlakes that occur naturally!!! then there's a species similar to pepper with a pink 'peppercorn'!!!!! These women are off their rockers!! Oh, and our friend's daughter is doing post grad work in Berkley and her mother (a teacher) is horrified at the poor quality of university level education; so is her daughter! Sadly, looks like the system over there has fallen to the lowest common denominator.
What about pink cherry blossom? did I mention these? Don't cave to the mob; if you've a complexion that can wear pink without looking jaundiced or pale, go for it!! My skintone apparently suits pale blues better than pinks, but if the pinks have a 'touch of blue' in them, they work, as do pink florals on light backgrounds for me.
Oh, and my husband is currently trying to remember the horseracing trainers whose silks are pink; if any Aussies know the feel free to chime in; Oh, he's just piped up; think its the Beadman stables that wear pink silks... :-)
Here's a little sewing testimony.
I had been wanting to sew a "tiered" skirt - kind of like a gypsy skirt, but not so full - I had some plain fabric to make it with, because I didn't want to get too radical with the feminine thing and stand out too much! :)
After looking at your last entry, I got really brave and went into my supply of apron/quilting fabric, and reached for 3 different pink fabrics! One is dark pink with white flowers, one is just soft pink, and the third is cream with pink sprigs all over it.
I took the day off while the kids played outside and napped, and worked on my skirt. My husband was gone this week. When he came home, I warned him this skirt was really different, and when he saw it, he smiled at my sillyness, and was skeptical, and joked about maybe just wearing it at home, but in a very sweet way.
After a while, though, when he went back in the bedroom and saw it again, he said he really liked it, and he would like to see it with a white blouse - "could I make one of those?" - and wanted me to wear it to church on Sunday.
Sewing has not been very fun for me, more like a chore, because I feel I need to make a lot of "basics", and copy the modern designs, so I don't look like I sewed my clothes. I sew a lot of navy blue things because I feel like they hide me.
My husband says he is tired of seeing all the drab, harsh women at work. He is ready to see me have fun with my sweet homey, ruffley dresses.
I do believe that we should make a statement with our clothes, that we are free to be home, and enjoy it, and not conform to all the drabness out there.
Thank you for your blog
I had to smile at "Anonymous at 10:41 AM"'s comment because I finished a tiered skirt just a few days ago and am now working on a white blouse to go with it. My husband loves the skirt and I do, too.
Now I really want to make something pink! I don't understand why there would be a question of it being age-appropriate. I am 54 and have noticed that, as I've aged, certain pinks have become more flattering to my fading complexion.
Probably one of your best, Lady Lydia.
Very nice. Actually, nice is an understatement. Lovely, and beautiful are perhaps better words.
Sincerely,
Denise
Dear Lady Lydia
Your dress is beautiful. I made the same dress in a pink fabric when I was a bridesmaid at my sisters wedding in 1985. I have just been to my nephews wedding and wore a pink floral dress with a fairly full skirt. Only my sister and I were in pink. The other ladies wore darker more fitted dresses and some wore leggings and fitted tops! There was a definate lack of hats and not a glove in sight. Feminine dresses are not too difficult to find in the UK but ladies seldom choose them. It's such a shame.
I had a dress that my mother made me from the Laura Ashley pattern. I think I may still have the pattern somewhere (not that the size would still fit me...lol!). I've always loved Laura Ashley patterns.
Loving the things that you sewing!
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