Peasant Style
Posted: Monday, March 20, 2006
by ronwaugh
HeartStrings Enterprises
If you’re old like me, you remember what we called the Prairie look. The tiered skirts with quilters floral prints, wide belts, victorian looking tops with high collars and lace…like something off of a modern day Little House on the Prairie.
Today’s tops include crochet rather than lace (the lace is featured more on the lingerie tanks that they are still wearing), have empire waists and are slightly billowy (like you could wear if you were up to about 4 months pregnant), and really look more gypsy/boho than the old prairie tops.
The other big difference is that today’s peasant style has come out of the bohemian style, so embroidery and embellishments are key. Now when I say embroidery, I don’t mean the nice, high quality embroidery that our machines today do with the high quality threads. I mean embroidery that looks like it was hand-stitched with beginner sewing kit thread. And it’s awesome! Actually, the more rustic the embroidery looks, the more expensive the garment is or seems to be.
Embellishments? Those are all the cute little details incorporated into the designs. The sequins, jewels, metallic threads, exotic coins, and beading that make the items interesting.
Accessories are long necklaces, big hoop and chandelier earrings, layers of bracelets and cuffs, layers of necklaces from a delicate 16" chain with a charm to a wrap around beaded necklace…layers of just about any jewelry item you can pile on.
With this style, clothing is getting less fitted. The skin tight baby doll t’s are not as important as they once were. Tank tops are still popular. Tops need to be longer to work with the skirts in this style. Fashion is changing.
And…if your’re old like me you remember that at the same time that we were wearing these peasant styles, we were wearing a nautical look. They say that this look is going to be huge for summer. We’ll see.
I was watching a fashion segment from the Today Show last week and literally had to hold my head in my hands…because the styles were so straight out of my high school years! White pants, nautical striped shirts, matching jackets – red white and blue like every day is the 4th of July!
With this style, monograms are extremely popular. As are large/oversized accessories, colorful canvas shoes, and colorful jewelry.
Other things to be aware of:
- Headbands are the newest hair accessory of choice
- Coral is this year’s hot pink
- Lime and aqua are still a huge trend in color
- Tropical is in – but not tacky tourist tropical, whimsical and exotic tropical
- Natural materials are strong – to go along with a trend towards natural colors
That should be enough to get your ideas going for this month! But there will be a lot more great stuff next month!
Happy Accessorizing!
Alicia Storbeck, Author
Co-owner of www.heartstrings.net
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