Every few years, some new trend in fashion sweeps around the world.  Some “gotta have it” items are so unique and ubiquitous that they become symbols of a certain era – like poodle skirts or bellbottoms.  I had a chat with a second-grader about his Silly Bandz the other day, which inspired me to take a look back at some of the top accessory trends of the last fifty years.  Did you wear any of these?

• Cat-eye glasses were a staple of the fifties wardrobe, preferably decorated with rhinestones.  And don’t forget the scarf around the neck!
• The sixties were all about big hair – teased, back-combed, ratted, and rolled.  The bigger the bouffant, the better.  The more Aqua Net and Dippity-Do, the better.  And then, moving into the seventies, hairstyles took a total 180; hippie-chic called for long, straight, air-dried, single-length hair.  Curly girls, as my mother likes to tell me, had to tape their wet hair around soda cans to get it fashionably straight. (more…)

There are so any different styles of Asian headgear that I had trouble picking just a few to highlight in this post; I’ll have to show you some more in the future.

When you think of Asian headgear, the first image that probably pops into your mind is the iconic conical hat.  Variations on this style were and are worn in China, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea in particular, and is known in other parts of East and Southeast Asia as well.  It provides protection from both the sun and rain, so it’s a genuinely practical style.  It can be made of straw, bamboo, or palm fronds a cloth band usually holds it under the chin, with a band of the same around the inside, where the hat rests against the head; this soaks up sweat and helps keep it in place. (more…)

I wish it would cool off enough for the leaves to turn already.  Honestly, in spite of the end of summer vacation, this is my favorite time of year.  There’s lots going on, the apples are about ready for picking, and the weather (eventually) cools off.  It’s nice when you’re not sweating it up every single time you walk out the door.  Today is actually on the cool side, but Hurricane Earl is blowing up the east coast, which has a lot to do with it.  Frankly, I could go for some gale-force winds.

I hope you’re all putting away your white shoes after this weekend!  Well, actually, that rule is pretty much a joke these days; do you know anyone who enforces it?  I looked it up, and the “no white after Labor Day” thing doesn’t seem to have much of a reason behind it.  It’s just a reminder that colder weather is approaching, so you should adjust your wardrobe appropriately.  (more…)