As I think most of my blog's readers know by now, in addition to having a full-time job and updating this site in my spare time, I also help to run The Underpinnings Museum and undertake a bit of academic research into fashion history. I had originally been scheduled to deliver a talk on my... Continue Reading →
So, what a weird year 2020 is turning out to be, huh? I thought that this year had to be an improvement on the last one, but here we now are in the middle of a global pandemic. We're currently on week 3 of lockdown in the UK with trips outside only allowed in order... Continue Reading →
First came the dress that rustles when I move. Although it's not a party frock it very much sounds like one, and this startled me at first. I bought it second hand sometime around 2009, and the design is clearly based on a 1950s wide-collar full-skirt dress. I loved it from the second I tried... Continue Reading →
So, as you can see, my writing's been a bit 'on hold' so far this year. I'm two weeks into a brand new job with a brand new employer and have to admit that I'd forgotten how much energy and brainpower it takes to do that. It's been a great experience so far (really great!)... Continue Reading →
I've spent more years than I care to imagine working out how to love my reflection. It might sound strange to anyone who doesn't identify as a woman, or wasn't raised as female, but the constant stream of messages we receive about how our appearance is the most important thing about us takes a certain... Continue Reading →
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am working with the UAL Lingerie Society to organise a mini-symposium entitled 'Breasts and Bras: History, Health and Fashion'. The event is taking place on Thursday 24th October 2019, 6.00-8:30pm in the RHS East lecture theatre at London College of Fashion, 20 John Prince's Street, London W1G 0BJ. The... Continue Reading →
I love clothes and, as a result, I have a lot of them. Although they are essentially practical items, designed to protect me from the elements (and the unwanted attention that going without would bring!), I don't really buy them for that purpose. I'm pretty much a collector of garments, the way some folk collect... Continue Reading →
If you're thinking about getting a lingerie gift for yourself of a loved one for Valentine's Day, but don't want to buy into some of the more problematic areas of the fashion industry, Here are five British brands making gorgeous undies in an ethical and sustainable way. 1) Studio Pia Describing their lingerie as luxury... Continue Reading →
Twice a year, I pack up all my unseasonal items of clothing and get the more appropriate ones out of hibernation. I wrote about it back in 2015 for this blog, and have also videoed myself opening the suitcase and getting excited about things I'd forgotten I owned. As I'm currently packing for a somewhat... Continue Reading →
I haven't written about latex much since my 2012 post in the fabulous fashion fabrics series, so I was surprised when the lovely folk at Honour got in touch to ask if I'd like to review a lingerie set from their website. However, once I started browsing, I quickly realised this wouldn't be quite as... Continue Reading →