The Corset: The Sexiest of Sexy Shapewear

When I was growing up my mother used to horrify me with tales of the evil girdle and longline bras.  Yes, a woman wearing these would have a lovely shape, but she'd also be extremely uncomfortable after a few hours.  Especially the longline bras with their corset-like boning.  

A few times she actually tried to get me to wear something girdle-like, and I protested and ran away.  No way would she ever get me in any type of shapewear!

Fast forward to today when I am the proud owner of more than one pair of SPANX.  I love my SPANX - dresses look so much better on me with my SPANX.  Sexy.  Sleek. Ok, so maybe all shapewear isn't evil.
 

Now, we all know I am a huge fan of "Mad Men" style.  Every time I see Joan Holloway Harris on my television I find myself coveting her dresses.  To streamline and authenticate her look, costume designer Janie Bryant outfits her in the girdles and longline bras of the decade.  Christina described these bras to Esquire magazine: 

"It's like what's in a corset — it has these long strips of plastic or metal that keep everything [pauses], you know. Oh, yeah — it's super comfortable. And then the authentic stockings, with the garters, and then a slip and then our dress. From my girdle and my garters last night, I have two bruises on the top of my legs. From being in it for seventeen hours. Women did that."

No thank you!  I'd rather wear my SPANX - or one of today's corsets.

Corsets date back to the middle ages (and likely even ancient times) but gained popularity in the 1800s and during the Victorian Age.  During the Victorian Age they were worn because of the belief that females were so fragile and frail they needed some sort of stay to hold them up.  This resulted in women of all ages, even girls as young as 3 or 4, being tightlaced. The corsets were often laced so tightly that they damaged and/or rearranged internal organs, so that by the time these girls reached their teens they couldn't sit or stand without the aid of a reinforced corset.  


At the same time, the tight-lacing also resulted in difficulty breathing, which led to frequent fainting spells.  Some historians even believe that the "fainting couch" was manufactured as a direct result of this phenomena.

I bet Betty Draper doesn't know the history behind her fainting couch.

In addition to providing a 20-inch waist, a tightly-laced corset also meant a women was virtuous.  The tighter a corset, the longer it would take to get her out of her clothes.  Moving out of the Victorian Age, the focus moved to shape: the corset was able to provide the highly coveted hourglass figure.  Different incarnations of the corset have remained popular through the years for this reason.


According to Wikipedia, "shortly after the start of World War I in 1917, the U.S. War Industries Board  asked women to stop buying corsets to free up metal for war production. This step liberated some 28,000 tons of metal, enough to build two battleships.[1] The corset, which had been made using steel stays since the 1860s, further declined in popularity as women took to brassieres and girdles which also used less steel in their construction."

However, some form of the corset has remained popular since then. 

 

Photographers adore their sensuality (beware, some nudity ahead).

Mainbocher Corset. Photograph by Horst P. Horst, 1939. 

Black Corset. Photograph by Horst P. Horst, date unknown

Photograph from Ellen Von Unwerth's 'Revenge' Series

Photograph from Ellen Von Unwerth's 'Revenge' Series

Photograph from Ellen Von Unwerth's 'Revenge' Series

Photograph by Jeanloup Sieff

And some people - like Christina Hendricks - are just born to wear one.

Christina Hendricks for GQ UK

Hendricks for GQ UK

Hendricks for NY Magazine

All images from Google Images unless otherwise noted.

Daily Dose of Inspiration: Liv Tyler

Yet another reason to get my hands on this issue of LOVE Magazine.  

The beautiful Liv Tyler.

Photoshoot Details:

LOVE Magazine, Issue #4

Photographer: Willy Vanderperre

Me Wants It: Vena Cava, Erickson Beaman, Rachel Roy, Vivienne Westwood and more.

I am trying to get myself back on my regular posting schedule, so... without further ado, I bring you this week's lust list:

This lace Filament dress by Vena Cava is both delicate and decidedly military-inspired at the same time.  Love the asymmetrical hem (as always), and the contrast of the lace (especially the back!), army green silk skirt, and lamé detailing.
 
Meanwhile, this ruffled silk chiffon dress is from Vena Cava's Aqua line for Bloomingdale's. More affordable, and just as cute.   

 
You can never own enough leopard print.  Vivienne Westwood's Red Label brings us this asymmetrical sequined silk skirt.  It's fun.  It's striking.  Dress it down for work or up for a night on the town.



Also from Vivienne Westwood's Red Label, I ADORE this glitter sweater dress.  First, it's a sweater dress.  Always a winner.  Second, it's blue.  And it glitters.  I think I am in love. (also - those Louboutin's the model is wearing haunt my dreams).



Is it odd that this embellished silk-tulle dress by Rachel Gilbert reminds me of Andy South's braided ribbon creation from this season's "unconventional materials" episode of Project Runway?  Anyone else see a resemblence, or am I just crazy?  Regardless, I love both!



Next up in this week's lust list we have - oh wait.  How did he get here?


Gerry, dear - you don't belong in THIS lust list.

Sorry about that.

Moving on, Diane von Furstenberg has always been one of my faves.  A lot of my closet is made up of staple pieces in shades of black and grey.  This Jori Patchwork Dress would fit in nicely.  Great shape and fun fabric choices.


Now, this isn't your grandma's crochet dress.  Rachel Roy takes the art of crocheting to the next level with this stunning metallic gold piece.  Love the touch of lace-up detail in the back.  Perfect for a special night out.


I can't decide if I would actually wear this, but something about it definitely draws me in.  Kirrily Johnston's Silent Trees long cardigan is unique looking.  I don't have anything like it in my closet - maybe that is why I am so drawn to it.

This shirt by Erin Wasson X RVCA speaks for itself.  I Want it.


One of the easiest ways to update your look for Fall is purchasing a statement bag.  This Piper shoulder bag by Diane von Furstenberg has some great detailing.  Nubuck trim, stud accents, gunmetal hardware.  Plus it's a great size - 14"H x 15"L x 3"D. 

Christina Hendrick's is wearing a particular pair of Erickson Beamon earrings in her Capitol File Magazine photoshoot that I want to find, but until then, these twisted gunmetal and Swarovski crystal earrings are a nice alternative.  Too, too cute!



What are you coveting this week? 


All images courtesy of net-a-porter, shopbop, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales.

Photoshoot: Christina Hendricks for Capitol File Magazine

What do you get when you take Christina Hendricks and style her in some TO. DIE. FOR. Oscar de la Renta, D&G, Holly Fulton and Errickson Beamon?

Perfection.

I want every single item she is wearing.

LEFT: Dress, Oscar de la Renta ($1,690). Saks Fifth Avenue; saks.com. Necklace, Dolce & Gabbana (price on request). Visit dolcegabbana.com. RIGHT: Dress, Dolce & Gabbana (price on request). Visit dolcegabbana.com. Necklace, Eddie Borgo ($225). Dresscode by Gita, 36 Village of Cross Keys, Baltimore, 410-323-9009. Ring, Alexis Bittar ($125). Visit alexisbittar.com. (caption from Capitol File Magazine)

Dress, Alaïa ($2,520). Select Barneys New York 
stores; barneys.com. Thin cuff ($228), wide cuff 
($288), Holly Fulton. Visit browns.co.uk.
(caption from Capitol File Magazine)

Dress, Ports 1961 ($550). Bloomingdale’s, The Shops
at Wisconsin Place, Chevy Chase, 301-841-4000. 
 Jacket, BCBG (price on request). Visit bcbg.com. 
 Earrings, Errickson Beamon ($478). Barneys Co-op,
3040 M St. NW, 202-350-5832
(caption from Capitol File Magazine)

Link to full article here.

On a side note - I know there has been talk about Christina's London Fog campaign and whether or not she was photoshopped in some of the images.  If you compare these two side by side, it certainly looks like her waist and hips were slimmed down for the official ad image:

I would also argue that she has been slimmed down in the photo below, especially when compared to the killer curves she's modeling in the GQ UK photo:

What do you think?  Photoshop or no? And if so - why do companies so often insist on minimizing curves, especially in a case like this when the woman in question is celebrated for them?

All images from Capitol File Magazine, London Fog, or GQ UK

Monday Musings

I just wanted to thank each of you, once again, for all of the kindness you have shown me during the past week.  I was really touched by all of your comments and emails.  I know I sound like a broken record, but I can't help it.  Losing someone is never easy, but 6 tragedies in one year is unimaginable.  Your support, however, has made this latest loss a bit easier to bear.

Now it's time to refocus and get back to living life.  It's time to get back to work.  It's time to get back to doing the things I love.  So here I am!

Daily Dose of Inspiration: Tallyta

I really, really REALLY love this Wolford bodysuit.  Really.

And the Chanel cardigan isn't too bad either!

Photoshoot Details:

Capital File Magazine, 2010 Fall Fashion Issue

Photographer: Jonathan Pushnik

Ad Campaign: Christina Hendricks for London Fog, Fall 2010

I know I am technically on a small blog hiatus, but I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their kind words yesterday.  It was really heartwarming to read all of your messages.

Second, I couldn't help myself.  Had to post the ad campaign info below.

London Fog and Mad Men seem to be developing a history of sorts.  It started with Mad Men's Season 3 opening episode "Out of Town" in which Sterling Cooper works with London Fog to add some life to their advertising.  Don Darper's idea: a nude model wearing a London Fog coat flashes the audience with the headline 'Limit Your Exposure.'  Nice.

Now, in a real life London Fog and Mad Men crossover, the beautiful Christina Hendricks (Mad Men's Joan Harris) has agreed to be the new face of London Fog for their Fall 2010 Ad Campaign.  

"London Fog is a classic brand, which I love.  It also ties in to Mad Men, we used London Fog in the show and this was a nice way to tie everything together.  The trench is such an iconic shape for men and women.  It works for anyone – it worked in the 1960s and it works now." said Christina.

London Fog's chief marketing officer, Dari Marder, says of Christina: 

"[she] has a modern appeal but also harks back to a bygone era, which perfectly complements what London Fog represents. She is sexy and gorgeous and the perfect woman to continue in London Fog's tradition of celebrity portraiture in our marketing campaigns."

Below are the gorgeous images, shot by photographer Nico Muñoz, as well as some behind-the-scenes shots.  Plus some video for your enjoyment.  Enjoy!

     

And some of the behind-the-scenes videos:





Additional videos can be found at London Fog.  

All images courtesy of London Fog.