Despite being a millennial with 90’s nostalgia, bias cut to me immediately brings Ginger Rogers to mind. Nothing felt more feminine than seeing her fluttering hem move so ethereally when she danced! I would also recommend throwing “1930s” into the search terms because of this! Lots of art deco night gowns floating around eBay (just don’t buy the ones I’m watching 😂)
Also bias cut is perfect if you have a fluctuating body type because having the fabric grain diagonal leaves more room to exaggerate the bust, waist and hip measurement. I used to recommend it to my clients looking for non-maternity maternity dresses!
So much wisdom packed in here! I wish I'd known that about bias-cut + maternity before entering into my 39th week of pregnancy 😂 But it could be a good style as my body fluctuates and recovers, like you said. Viv's styling example above could work great for toughening up and adding friction to a 1930s art-deco night gown -- love that idea for an additional search term!
I’m obsessed! Thank you for all the context, styling inspo and search terms. I am a huge fan of bias cut skirts and dresses. And yes, I’m chronically online and happy to report my findings.
Thank YOU for the inspiration - I'm so glad I found your newsletter! Your reflections on mental health and impulse shopping really resonated with me, as I am also trying to pause and acknowledge what my anxiety-related buying triggers are.
I prefer a bias on any clinging fabric but a straight cut on most dresses. Bias helps to give a skirt flutter when it’s silk but it also has a “try-hard” vibe that I am always working to overcome. I might not even be making sense but I always tell my husband that I want to look put together without looking like I tried too hard 😂
You nailed exactly why I've typically steered clear of bias cut: it's that slightly fussy feel that I'm now inspired to try to counterbalance using the concept of 'friction.' Skirts are definitely easier to achieve that effect with, as a dress is more of a completed-outfit commitment. Also, "put together without seeming like I tried" is always what I aim for (even though anyone who knows me knows how much time I spend styling outfits in Stylebook! 😂)
I love the flexibility of the bias cut in terms of how it lends itself to personal styling. I’m def not a minimalist—I bend more towards classic eclecticism (Obviously I just made that up), and as such was delighted to see you include a skirt by Ralph Lauren. This post got my wheels turning. I think my black Quince skirt needs to make more than just one appearance per year (praying this is a bias cut???). Thanks for nudging me out of my wardrobe rut!
I know the Quince skirt you speak of, and definitely think you should take it out for a spin! You absolutely nail footwear, so I think that could be your element of 'friction' to take the skirt from done-up to eclectic, while staying true to a classic silhouette. Please send me photos!
That Tom & Linda Platt dress is killer!
Despite being a millennial with 90’s nostalgia, bias cut to me immediately brings Ginger Rogers to mind. Nothing felt more feminine than seeing her fluttering hem move so ethereally when she danced! I would also recommend throwing “1930s” into the search terms because of this! Lots of art deco night gowns floating around eBay (just don’t buy the ones I’m watching 😂)
Also bias cut is perfect if you have a fluctuating body type because having the fabric grain diagonal leaves more room to exaggerate the bust, waist and hip measurement. I used to recommend it to my clients looking for non-maternity maternity dresses!
So much wisdom packed in here! I wish I'd known that about bias-cut + maternity before entering into my 39th week of pregnancy 😂 But it could be a good style as my body fluctuates and recovers, like you said. Viv's styling example above could work great for toughening up and adding friction to a 1930s art-deco night gown -- love that idea for an additional search term!
I’m obsessed! Thank you for all the context, styling inspo and search terms. I am a huge fan of bias cut skirts and dresses. And yes, I’m chronically online and happy to report my findings.
I so appreciate all the time and detail you put into your newsletter - it is a MUST READ for me!
😊 means the world to me. Thank you
Thank you for the mention X
Thank YOU for the inspiration - I'm so glad I found your newsletter! Your reflections on mental health and impulse shopping really resonated with me, as I am also trying to pause and acknowledge what my anxiety-related buying triggers are.
I prefer a bias on any clinging fabric but a straight cut on most dresses. Bias helps to give a skirt flutter when it’s silk but it also has a “try-hard” vibe that I am always working to overcome. I might not even be making sense but I always tell my husband that I want to look put together without looking like I tried too hard 😂
You nailed exactly why I've typically steered clear of bias cut: it's that slightly fussy feel that I'm now inspired to try to counterbalance using the concept of 'friction.' Skirts are definitely easier to achieve that effect with, as a dress is more of a completed-outfit commitment. Also, "put together without seeming like I tried" is always what I aim for (even though anyone who knows me knows how much time I spend styling outfits in Stylebook! 😂)
I love the flexibility of the bias cut in terms of how it lends itself to personal styling. I’m def not a minimalist—I bend more towards classic eclecticism (Obviously I just made that up), and as such was delighted to see you include a skirt by Ralph Lauren. This post got my wheels turning. I think my black Quince skirt needs to make more than just one appearance per year (praying this is a bias cut???). Thanks for nudging me out of my wardrobe rut!
I know the Quince skirt you speak of, and definitely think you should take it out for a spin! You absolutely nail footwear, so I think that could be your element of 'friction' to take the skirt from done-up to eclectic, while staying true to a classic silhouette. Please send me photos!
You know me well, Claire. Love the idea using in my closet footwear as the tension. Clever.