I WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN
by
Gregory K.
I want to build a snowman
With arms that reach so high.
I’d use a carrot for his nose,
Green peppers for each eye.
I want to build a snowman
With icicles for teeth.
I’d put him in a floppy hat
And add a wig beneath.
I want to build a snowman,
But my dream seems out of reach.
You see, today’s July 18th,
And I’m here at the beach!
Happy summer and happy Poetry Friday, too. Kelly is on the roundup this week. Go on. Check it out.
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By: Gregory K. Pincus,
on 7/18/2008
Blog: GottaBook (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: beach poetry, beach poem, summer poem, snowman poem, summer poetry, snowman poetry, Add a tag
By: Justine Larbalestier,
on 2/29/2008
Blog: Justine Larbalestier (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Fashion, Writing & Publishing, 1930s, Madeleine Vionnet, Writing & Publishing, 1930s, Madeleine Vionnet, Add a tag
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By: Gregory K. Pincus,
on 7/18/2008
Blog: GottaBook (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: beach poetry, beach poem, summer poem, snowman poem, summer poetry, snowman poetry, Add a tag
By: Justine Larbalestier,
on 2/29/2008
Blog: Justine Larbalestier (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Fashion, Writing & Publishing, 1930s, Madeleine Vionnet, Writing & Publishing, 1930s, Madeleine Vionnet, Add a tag
I’ve been toying with writing a novel set in the 1930s and without fail when I mention this I get the following response:
“Why? The clothes were so drab then! Set it in the 1920s!”
Everyone I’ve spoken to seems to think that the Depresssion meant no good clothes were made or worn for an entire decade. I blame Carnivale. My friends have visions of women in faded print dresses and men in worn suits covered in dust.
High fashion in the 1930s was the very opposite of drab. Think of the 1930s movies of Kate Hepburn, Greta Garbo and Carole Lombard. Think about the clothes they wore. Gorgeous! Insane! Over the top!
Yes, most people couldn’t afford those clothes, but that was true in the 1920s, too. Photos of NYC street scenes in the 1920s were just as grey as those of the 1930s.1 And, really, at what point in history have the majority of people worn haute couture?
One of the reasons I want to set my book in the 1930s is because of the sharp contrast between the very rich and everyone else. The clothes speak volumes.
Also the 1930s was the heyday of Madeleine Vionnet who invented the bias cut and totally shaped the look of the 1930s with her (mostly, but not always) slinky clothes. Vionnet is one of my favourite designers.2 She was a genius, who created some of the most beautiful clothes I’ve ever seen.
Photo by Ilan Rubin
This Vionnet dress is from 1938 and according to the New York Times is “made from silk tulle, panne velvet and horsehair with a silver lamé underdress and Lesage embroidery.” I’m betting it was not made in a day.
There were good clothes in the 1930s, okay?
- And, no, not just because they’re in black and white.
- Also a really good boss who paid her workers above average wages (unlike, say, Coco Chanel) and covered their healthcare and training.
19 Comments on Clothes in the 1930s, last added: 3/12/2008
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...with the weather we've had here, the likelihood is that I could build a snowman. Or possibly something out of mud...
:)Happy Summer!
I needed to think some cool thoughts today . . .