Aie, how irresponsible of me. Last month, I found a delightful fashion history tome in the library reference room. I took some snapshots, but neglected to write down the title... perhaps one of you might recognize the source? Even if not, keep the book comments coming and you can win Gothic garb from Evil Kitty.
This nameless encyclopedia covers court garments from King Tut to the Tudors and beyond. Naturally, I gravitated to the gigantic caricatures of Rococo frivolity. They remind us that the panniered ladies of Versailles were laughing at themselves; "Rococo included, almost from its inception, elements of irony and self-criticism." (Revolution in Fashion: 1715-1815)
Marie Antoinette would be delighted with today's Fruits and Kera street fashion. She'd build a "Little Harajuku" outside Versailles (complete with a reproduction of the infamous bridge); she'd import Goth Lolis, yamambas, and decoras; and she'd blow them all out of the water with her billowing sailboat hairdo.
Finally, here are some dashing Victorian dandies in Count Dracula capes, top hats, and buttoned waistcoats. I leave you with a wistful quote from Revolution in Fashion: "It was a time when people relished a certain joie de vivre, engaged in witty conversation, and danced graceful minuets." Le sigh!
