This curious fashion began, of course, with Marie Antoinette who - at least up to this writing - remains the ultimate queen of excess. Not that others haven't challenged her for the position. Big hair is just one of the many things she flaunted while the masses went hungry. Why not put a ship in full sail on top? And so the style has popped up now and then, usually when economies are fairly stable.
Seeing this picture and its date rather reverses that trend. The U.S. was still a little unsteady post-Great Depression in 1939 and war was in the offing. The ship-on-your-head hairstyle seems more appropriate for the 1950s when designers like Dior and Balenciaga took their inspirations from the excesses of Marie Antoinette. Yards of fabric, jewels, expensive perfumes, snake skin and crocodile all won the hearts of those who could afford them, so why not ships-on-heads?
It's safe to say that, unless we eventually tumble into a The Hunger Games sort of world, you'll never see ladies on the street with ships in their hair. That is, not outside the Capital. But that doesn't mean there isn't time to consider a Hallowe'en costume topped with a ship. Everyone loves a nautical touch, after all.
4 comments:
I don't know, Pauline. I wouldn't put it past one of the current "Royals" who are so strangely (to my way of thinking, anyway) celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic to wear something like this... But not ordinary citizens, thank goodness.
My first thought on the picture (before I read the post) was that it was some sort of aa weird Columbus day celebration thing, but I guess the world's fair makes some sense. They always did have some strange stuff at those. I remember going to one with my parents in New York when I was a little kid (in 1964 or 65, I think)...
Unfortunately, World's Fair was almost synonymous with "freak show" by the time they quit having them.
Here's another curious 1939 World's Fair fact: a telegram was sent to Eleanore Roosevelt at that World's Fair using electricity generated entirely by eels.
See what I mean...
One must carefully choose what ship to wear. A First Rate will gather a lot of attention but would be a bit unwieldy at the dance. A frigate would serve for most purposes but may appear common. As always, I'd probably go with a light sloop, maneuvering easily in almost an social situation.
Ans speaking of "wear," how about that for a Sailormouth Sunday? ;)
Well said, my friend. Fashion choices are never easy. And now there is an excellent idea! Wear would work, wouldn't it.
Post a Comment