A ‘frilling’ start to the New Year…
So it’s a ‘frilling’ start to the New Year and a real ‘cheer me up’ for the end of January, why? Well one of the key trends of S/S 16 is frills – a fashion prediction I made back in June 2015 with ‘My Hands Are Golden’ post see here https://philippanestie.com/my-hands-are-golden/ Yes I wondered as I completed this post…would flouncy sleeves make a comeback? Well it seems my ‘fashion eye’ was the ‘on on the money’, oh yes! & well to be precise I did state flounce’s..but let’s not split a ‘few hairs’ over a few frills! So for your fashion delight I present here a ‘frill packed‘ feast from the historical right up to the present. Its frills galore time! Frills are frivolous, fun, fetching, feminine and fancy, so it’s time to ‘frill up’ your wardrobe & add some ‘spring in your step’ this season. So my first picture is a look back to how all to how it all started with the pics with the flouncy sleeves from Golden Hands.
Next to feature are two sets of looks, one from now with a ‘compare and contrast’ to fashioned frills of the 1970s. (Yes my favourite decade..sorry I just can’t stop referencing this decade one way or another…don’t ‘blame’ me as I’m not the only one..) And take a look at another image from Golden Hands, an illustration of all ‘manner of frills’ – be it collar, cuff or hem alongside an intriguing Tonik advert from Vogue June 1973 featuring a profusion of frills in this ‘prairie’ style dress (another trend for S/S16!)
Next we are going on a historical journey to fashion past, with a look at how the Victorian’s made a ‘frill appeal’ also a ‘flounce’ – featuring on that ubiquitous item – the apron, whether for the ‘lady of the house’ or the kitchen maid, appearing or pretending to do domestic duties was all important.
‘Staying indoors’ I feature here a most becoming blouse with a embroidered ‘Grenadine Garibaldi’ bodice (and I just thought they were for biscuits!). Next is an indoor jacket just to wear…indoors..featuring a lace trim, yes the Victorian’s thought of everything including a jacket just to wear indoors!
And so when we come to ‘step outside and take the airs’, this lady’s ‘visiting toilet’ outfit is most appropriate for either ‘promenading’ or just a casual stroll with alternative options – a black straw hat and frilly umbrella – it’s a accentuate the accessories now!
Finally I feature a frilly Tuscan hat with two alternative collars & a bow or a cravat – this item can be worn either as a neckpiece or in the hair. Great! I love this ‘multi-task’ approach….
All Victorian pics from The Young Englishwoman 1871
Now I fast forward from the Victorian times to right up to the present with some beautiful examples from where else? The house of Gucci, yes designer Alexandro Michelle has done it again and in the most romantic and stylish way with gorgeous silhouette’s & vivid colour impact. 
Gucci pic’s scanned from Harper’s Bazaar Jan 2016
Gucci is not the only one’s giving their collections a ‘frill down’. Alexander McQueen’s collection featured with this pale romantic leather jacket and chiffon dress (totally out of my price range at £3595 and £4375 respectively) nevertheless very beautiful ‘ethereal’ indeed. 
Fashion pic’s scanned from Harper’s Bazaar Feb 2016
The final item is from Miu Miu – a tulle dress, cotton shirt, wool gillet & mohair skirt finishing off with a crystal tiara. This dress peaks my interest, it has more than a look of a frilly Victorian apron, but with its transparency and visibility of the garments underneath adds a new modern twist. Re-working the item from pure practicality to frill’tastic’ demure ‘dressage’…this look is soft, romantic, – an ‘escapist dream’…but frills – they can be fierce too, as time will tell…(well here’s hoping…) now I must get back to that rather ‘thrilling’ Victorian novel of mine – Wilkie Collins ‘No Name’. A garibaldi biscuit anyone??
