Victorian or Edwardian?

[imfrom1900]

Hey, guys!

I just wanted to ask all of you, which type of fashion and clothes do you prefer, Victorian or Edwardian? For me, I am a little bit mercurial. For several months at the beginning of 2008, I was always daydreaming about 1840s clothes, but then, in the summer, my tastes have shifted to Edwardian. Now, I think Victorian is slowly making a comeback. (It's like that old saying from the Almond Joy commercials, "sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't", but only it's "Sometimes you feel Victorian, sometimes you don't." ;D)

So, what do you think?

[Big Six]

John,

I think Edwardian and late Victorian are a bit easier than early Victorian. One can "get away" with a pretty fair approximation of Edwardian garb in one's day to day living most of the time, however early and mid nineteenth century togs might get one locked up.

Cost is, I think, a factor as well. With an early twentieth century outfit one can fit more current clothing in. In fact I do think one can adopt an Edwardian-esque style with nearly all modern clothing.

The thing I like most about the Edwardian era and the immediate post Edwardian period are much Victorian era fashion and sensibilities were still accepted particularly in formal situations. A perfect example is the morning coat for official day functions.

Very few of us really can or want to be completely immersed in another era. We still use the computer, drive autos, utilize modern conveniences accept modern medicine &c. Most of use realize that there were truly no idyllic "Good Old Days" ever era has or had it's ugly side. We usually dream of the romantic image of these bygone days or in some cases simply wish for a return of the better points of past times. I think that the early twentieth century fashions allow us more flexibility to experience the parts of the past we long for while still fitting in to our modern age.

Regards,
J.

[imfrom1900]

That's a good point, J.

I hate posting pics of myself on the net, but since I'm talking to people I trust, I will post this image of an Edwardian outfit that I wore on a road trip on the california coast. I am wearing a straw boater, and a blazer. It was a little hot that summer, so I never wore anything under it except a shirt. The picture was taken at Mission Santa Barbara. (On that same day, I toured a wax cylinder archive at UCSB. It was really interesting!) It's interesting that if I had taken the hat or the jacket off, I may have looked like everybody else, so I tried wearing both as often as I could, in order to make the statement I wanted to make. Another thing, in response to what you mentioned, is that none of the outfit is vintage. Everything is brand new.

Any comments would be great.

[Big Six]

John,

Find yourself a couple of vintage or repro neckties and you're good to go...

Regards,
J.