Synopses & Reviews
The first beautifully illustrated volume exclusively dedicated to the female side of preppy style by American college girls. The Seven Sisters-a prestigious group of American colleges, whose members include fashion icons such as Katharine Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Ali MacGraw, and Meryl Streep-perfected a flair that spoke to an aspirational lifestyle filled with education, travel, and excitement. Their style, on campus and off, was synonymous with an intelligence and American grace that became a marker of national pride and status all over the world: from jeans and baggy shirts to Bermuda shorts and blazers, soft Shetland sweaters and saddle shoes, not to mention sleek suiting, pearls, elegant suitcases, kidskin gloves, kitten heels, and cashmere. "[The college girl's] contribution to fashion is as American as Coca-Cola, baseball and hitch-hiking," announced
Harper's Bazaar in 1935.
Seven Sisters Style explores the multifaceted foundations and metamorphosis of this style, from the early twentieth century through today. Was the Seven Sisters girl an East Coast Ivy Leaguer? A geek or a goddess? Radical or conservative? A tomboy or an American princess? In many ways, she was all of these and more. This book presents a treasure trove of stunning visuals, including those from the archives of the Seven Sisters colleges that illustrate their legacy and enduring reverberations on and off the runway, in Hollywood, and in popular culture. From Dior's tailored blazers, wrap skirts, and short socks and heels to Balenciaga's juxtaposing the argyle sweater, collared blouse, and sharp tailored blazer, and even Band of Outsiders' silk pajama tartans with oversized coats and collegiate wool hats and scarves, it is a look that continues to fascinate and inspire.
Review
andldquo;The book is the definitive history of nautical fashion, citing the most recognizable trends, the icons who made them memorable, and the intriguing stories of how they came to be.andrdquo;
Synopsis
Rebecca C. Tuite is a writer and fashion historian based in New York.
Synopsis
Nautical style has been an enduring mainstay of the fashion world, andand#160;Nautical Chicand#160;is a lavish celebration of its iconic looks and perennial popularity, tracing the history of its trends and impact on the clothes we love. Each chapter traces a current nautical trend from its origins to reveal the secrets of its sartorial past. While andldquo;The Officerandrdquo; details how epaulettes, brass buttons, and braiding came to be Balmain and Givenchy catwalk staples, andldquo;The Sailorandrdquo; explores the undeniable sex appeal of the Navy, and andldquo;The Fishermanandrdquo; charts how blue-and-white Breton stripes became the choice of such style arbiters as Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn. andldquo;The Sportsmanandrdquo; covers this classic all-American look, while andldquo;The Pirateandrdquo; concludes the book with an homage to Captain Hook, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander McQueen.and#160;Nautical Chicand#160;is the definitive history of nautical fashion, citing the most recognizable trends, the icons who made them memorable, and the intriguing story of how they came to be.
About the Author
Amber Jane Butchartand#160;is a writer, broadcaster, and fashion historian. She is associate lecturer at London College of Fashion, contributor to leading trend analysis company WGSN, and the mind behind theand#160;
Theatre of Fashionand#160;blog.