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| William Waterhouse The Flower Picker |
It never occurred to me until I started reading Lydia's Home Living blog that part of being feminine is wearing dresses and skirts. For the last couple years she has published many posts with paintings of women in bygone days. Interestingly, none of them wore pants. I love the paintings of William Waterhouse and others that show women working and just plain living in dresses. It gives me courage in this day of the manly woman to continue wearing skirts only. How can it can be done?
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| William Waterhouse The Lady Claire |
a) Choose a design that allows a full stride like an A-line. The garment should be well fitted, enough to know that you are a woman but not like a sausage casing. In summer looser fitting but still feminine styles are lovely--they should not remind one of potato sacks. Fabrics should be of natural fiber that are easy to service.
b) Hem length of mid-calf or longer allows excellent movement without compromising modesty and will not be a trip hazard.
c) Seasonally appropriate accessories: leggings, warm socks, and silk slips (keep skirts from clinging to leggings) with cute but serviceable shoes or boots for winter wear; good sandals, garden clogs, and the airiest muslin slips for warmer months.
d) Outer ware: pashima shawls, wool overcoats, hats, scarves, and the like can be feminine ...a straw hat
and a whisper thin muslin or linen jacket for gardening...and aprons lots of aprons...my friend cocoa made a wonderful apron for me that I've used as a pattern for more.
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| John William Waterhouse: I am Half-Sick of Shadows - said the Lady of Shalott - 1915 |
The old paintings clearly show loveliness can be achieved even during the humblest of tasks. As the world grows more and more antagonistic towards femininity and womanhood, women can demonstrate a commitment to loveliness and an outward symbol of devotion to being womanly. Let's not be part of the brave new world. Instead, working in sensible skirts and dresses is incredibly possible for women and girls alike!!
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| Miranda the Tempest by John Waterhouse |
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| Destiny William Waterhouse |
I've been sewing new skirts all week (finally getting too big for my normal pants) to wear for the duration of my pregnancy. I've received so many compliments on them! It is refreshing to be more feminine.
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