The fabric used for Oxford shirts originated in 19th-century Scotland. To promote its appeal, four shirts were created, each named after a prestigious university, but only the one named after Oxford gained lasting popularity. The shirt quickly became a favorite among polo players thanks to its lightweight, breathable texture, and the button-down collar was introduced […]
Hairpins are widely regarded as the direct predecessors of bobby pins and have existed since ancient times. In Central Africa, they were typically crafted from bone, ivory, or wood. In Ancient Rome, hairpins were long and hollow, sometimes designed to hold perfume—or even poison. By the 1600s in France, both men and women used hairpins, […]
Seersucker has its roots in the Middle East and gained popularity among English gentlemen who lived or traveled in hot climates, such as India, during the British Colonial era. The fabric made its way to the United States as early as the Civil War period, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that it became […]
Kimono, in English, means “wearing thing.” But the garment everyone associates with Japan was not always called by that name. Its long history is one of the best examples of how clothing confers a sense of identity. The first ancestor of the kimono was born in the Heian period (794-1192). Straight cuts of fabric were […]
The first loafer was produced by the company ‘Bass Weejun.’ They were produced in 1936, the name stemming from the company creator Bass and the Weejun. The Penny Loafer developed later on and supposedly for a particular purpose. The Penny Loafer only really differs from the original loafer in that it has a leather strip across the […]
Bangles have been traced back to early civilizations like the Mayan and Incas, but the discovery of bangles is often traced back to Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan over 5,000 years ago. Other ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians, Egynptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese, a fact made even more interesting since according to what we know today these […]
Originally, leg warmers were used as athletic wear to keep athletes’ muscles warm, preventing injuries and cramps during practice and performance. They became particularly popular among dancers for this reason. However, in the 1980s, leg warmers transitioned from a practical piece of athletic gear to a major fashion trend. This shift was largely influenced by […]
Overalls (or dungarees) originated in the 17th century. When they arrived in India, the English appropriated a cloth called “Dungri” and used it to make workwear trousers, or ‘dungarees.’ Later, Levi Strauss added a bib to workwear trousers, creating overalls. Originally, these garments were for workers and were often color-coded depending on their profession. However, […]
The mermaid dress has its roots in the late 1800s. At the time, fashion was transitioning from maximum width to maximum narrowness, and women wore corsets that embraced the hips and the backs of the legs. In the 1880s, magazines began promoting suits with puffed flanks that created a silhouette with a pronounced waist and […]
Tea dresses were a mainstay of the 1930s and featured a natural waistline (in contrast to drop-waist flapper dresses of the previous decade). Tea dresses were often bias-cut with modest necklines and flowing skirts that ended between the knee and calf. These midi-length dresses were so named because they were often worn to tea or […]