What Shall I Read? (THIS BOOK)
What Shall I Wear?
is probably one of the most seminal books in fashion, at least for me. I'd rank it right up there with Fashion is Spinach, and that's saying something. It was supposed to be released today, but Amazon is already showing it's out of stock -- I'd order it now to be sure of getting one! Copies of earlier editions sell for well over US$100.
This is what McCardell had to say about her designs:
"For me, it's America—it looks and feels like America. It's freedom, it's democracy, it's casualness, it's good health. Clothes can say all that."
The whole book is inspiring. I heartily recommend it.
Weirdly, we only have one pattern tagged "Claire McCardell" on the wiki. Hmm. I'll have to see what we can do about that!
Labels: books, Claire_McCardell
posted by Erin @ 7:05 AM
22 Comments:
At Sep 3, 2009 10:22:00 AM,
Lisa Simeone said…
Oh, dear, this now makes Number 513 on my Amazon Wish List . . . !
At Sep 3, 2009 10:31:00 AM,
Packrat said…
Random, but why is she slouching? Someone should have smacked her between her shoulder blades. Just saying.
At Sep 3, 2009 10:48:00 AM,
the_lazymilliner said…
She's slouching toward Gomorrah, Packrat. Btw, I tried to find this book in the Chicago Public Library's online catalog. Nothing! Drats.
At Sep 3, 2009 10:56:00 AM,
lucitebox said…
It's not that easy to find this book anymore. When I was looking, every time it came up on eBay, I got outbid!
I give up. Send me the re-issue. Stat.
(Seriously--how many books are on my wish list? Geez.)
At Sep 3, 2009 11:11:00 AM,
Susannah said…
Yes, her posture is insane. I wish someone would write a history of fashionable posture and deportment because those round-shouldered Victorian belles are pretty messed up too.
At Sep 3, 2009 11:19:00 AM,
Joni said…
The cover illustration reminds me of why I don't like that style of sleeve. Armpit peephole = not a good look.
Thanks for the heads-up on the book, Erin... it's going on my "must-read!" list. Along with about eleventy-billion others. (I'd have more time for reading if I wasn't sewing. I blame the Conspiracy.)
At Sep 3, 2009 12:12:00 PM,
tcarole said…
I think the slouching must be so that she can end up on this blog:
http://brokendollpose.tumblr.com/
At Sep 3, 2009 12:20:00 PM,
CathyB said…
Not in Erin's new county library system, either.
At Sep 3, 2009 12:32:00 PM,
Latter-Day Flapper said…
Your November 11, 2008 entry is also a McCardell, but it is not tagged as such.
At Sep 3, 2009 12:35:00 PM,
Melanie said…
My back hurts just looking at her! Guess this is one reason vintage clothing can fit so oddly.
At Sep 3, 2009 2:50:00 PM,
Ms. B said…
Frim what I've seen almost all of the models' stances where like that back then. They would pitch their pelvis forward and curve their shoulders forward. Have no idea why.
Thanks for posting about this, I'm off to order it now. It looks like it's available again!
At Sep 3, 2009 5:19:00 PM,
Chromatic Rat said…
Hey, I see that Powell's Books has the new edition on order and not yet sold out:
http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9781585679706
At Sep 3, 2009 6:42:00 PM,
Beth B said…
That posture is what was called the debutante slouch. Tres chic in its day.
At Sep 3, 2009 8:25:00 PM,
Chantelle said…
The debutante slouch? Did young ladies actually go to school to learn it as part of learning to sit and walk correctly?
When I first saw it I thought it had something to do with her underpinnings.
At Sep 3, 2009 8:32:00 PM,
Lisa @ the Vintage Fashion Library said…
I actually just picked up a book about Claire McCardell today at the library. They have this book too, but it's a reference book, darn it, and doesn't circulate. I'd have to go downtown to get it. Must order the new one.
At Sep 3, 2009 9:12:00 PM,
Some Like it Vintage said…
Wow, would love, love, love to get my hands on that book!
At Sep 4, 2009 7:47:00 AM,
Theresa said…
I love the pattern that is on the wiki. Her slouch is no worse than the wieid way Paris Hilton always poses in pictures.
At Sep 4, 2009 9:04:00 AM,
dulcet said…
Lisa--
what's the title of that other book you got?
At Sep 6, 2009 4:23:00 AM,
nomm is ... said…
Thank you for the link to Fashion is Spinach - simply perfect reading for my upcoming holiday.
At Sep 9, 2009 10:40:00 AM,
sheryl nd said…
Ummm....My Baker & Taylor book vendor account says that the book has been cancelled! My Ingrams & BWI vendor accounts don't mention that, so I'm hoping it's not true.
At Sep 13, 2009 7:49:00 AM,
Lizzie said…
I've been looking for this book forever too, and I know that someday I'll find an original on the shelves of my local used bookstore. In the meantime, I've ordered this one, just because.
At Oct 20, 2009 11:08:00 AM,
Ms. B said…
I just got the cancellation email from Amazon for this. They don't know if they will ever be getting any more in. There is one used copy available for $999.99 however!!!! Disappointment!!!
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