What can one woman do to carry herself, her family, and her country safely through the current economic crisis?
Each day, more and more people are starting to feel the economic crunch. For some people, it is the loss of a job. For others, it is a home in foreclosure. For others, it is a general sense of less money, and more caution related to purchases such as food, gasoline and clothing. This holiday season brought us less shopping and less things, including less new sweaters, hats and mittens for the cold months.
In addition, there is a sense of lack brought on by the wasteful wars our country is engaged in over in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, the sense of grief and compassion for the civilians in those countries, and for the victims of the blockade and war in Gaza.
How can we respond to these events? How can we help to fix these events?
My solution is to make a partly symbolic and partly meaningful shift in the culture with a new fashion trend: applying frugality and voluntary simplicity to women’s fashion.
In World War ll, people in America and England started to feel the impact of war on their daily lives. Sometimes through choice, and sometimes through government programs and rationing, new attitudes had to arise concerning consumption. Food was rationed. Clothing was adjusted. And, fashion was affected by the need to save resources for the wars. For women, this trend meant an involuntary end to long ball gowns, pleats and vests.[1]
During the Civil War, when the Southern states of America were under blockade, fashion was greatly affected. In the first year, women made the sacrifice of boycotting “Yankee goods”, including fabrics and fashion accessories. Though, as the blockade wore on, there were genuine shortages of fancy fabric, feathers, and other accoutrements of fine dressing.
In America, in 2008, it has not come to that yet. Our government has not had to intervene in fashion. Nor has the fashion industry faced a lack of supply of fabric. Though, could it be, with the dire warnings of economic collapse, that a time like that is coming?
I hope not. And, I do not predict such dramatic hardship. Though, this article is about a more voluntary way of empathizing with the lack in the world, and trying to create a better economy by consuming less now. I have a small circle of women who have committed to this trend with me. We call ourselves “The Curtain Club.”
The inspiration for the name comes from the fictional character of Scarlett O’Hara. In the dark times of the Civil War, when she wishes to apply her feminine charm despite her poverty, Scarlett O’Hara created a green, velvet dress out of fabric from the curtains of her decaying mansion.
In addition to Margaret Mitchell’s Scarlett O’Hara, the inspiration for such a movement of politics, fashion, ingenuity and self-sacrifice comes from a variety of other sources, as well. There is Gandhi, with his principle of using homespun fabric, so that materials would not have to be imported from overseas. And, there is Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire, who realized that a way to create space for women in the world of politics was to use fashion in the support of the cause. (Ironically, while my focus is on peace and prosperity, one of Georgiana’s most interesting fashion moments was to have women dress in frilly soldier dresses to support the military.) As I created the name of this movement, I was also reminded of the governess in the “Sound of Music”, who was portrayed as having created playclothes for her charges out of old curtains.
The style I envision for The Curtain Club is not old jeans and raggedy hand-me-downs. Duane Elgin, author of Voluntary Simplicity, notes: “Simplicity means that the way we live our lives represents a work of unfolding artistry…In this spirit, an elegant simplicity is an understated, organic aesthetic that contrasts with the excess of consumerist lifestyles.”[3]
My first inspiration for the Curtain Club came from my desire to dress up as Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire for Halloween, without having to spend a lot of money on a fancy dress. I was not able to pull it off this year. Though, I am determined that the next time I am invited to a formal event, I will wear an old dress, with funky jewelry, and carry myself like a Duchess.
My vision for the Curtain Club includes: Voluntary Simplicity, Shabby Chic, World War ll Utility Fashion, Do-It-Yourself, Historical Costume Drama, and a little bit of bling from the bottom of the jewelry box. I think that it is possible to dress like a Princess or a Duchess for less. And, that by wearing beautiful things, it will bring some brightness into the dreary days our country may face with the current economic crisis.
There is already a fashion trend which has been leading into the Curtain Club: Recession Chic. That term has been applied to Michelle Obama, in part for her elegant wearing of off-the-rack fashions. Though, even the black-and-white Donna Ricco dress that Michelle Obama wore on “The View”, which was thought to be very egalitarian, was $148. I expect that genuine poverty and/or genuine Voluntary Simplicity would require a much lower price tag.
My friend Betty Wood has enthusiastically joined the Curtain Club. She says, “I like this idea – it will help me be more fashionable! I have lots of old clothes – actually, nearly everything I wear…some of my old things can be updated with various embellishments – embroidery, studs, a fancy-yarn scarf or sleeve end.”
In order to share Curtain Club ideas with your circle of friends, you could start looking through your closet and finding old, but beautiful, clothing to layer and accessorize. And, you could see if women friends could go through each other’s closets and trade. Thrift shops are always a great place to seek out vintage clothing and shabby chic.
A time of austerity is also a great time to learn how to mend clothes and make clothes. I realized that my absolute favorite bag to carry, is a quilted creation, with bright flowers that Betty made for me. I could never afford the similar bags that a modern designer makes in the same, floral-quilted style to be sold in malls around the country. Betty is ready for other women to join in on the fun of making their own clothing and accessories, she notes: “ It’s a great opportunity to learn a new skill if you don’t already know how to knit, crochet, embroider, or make your own clothes. There are lots of very easy patterns out there.”
If the Curtain Club lifts off, what will fashion designers do?
Well, there may always be a demand for new dresses for certain, important occasions, like weddings. And, since part of Voluntary Simplicity is value, perhaps people will buy even more precious and sturdy wedding dresses to share and pass down. Though, I think it would be okay if the most famous designers had one off year, where they sold a little less and their profits weren’t so high. It seems to me that some high fashion has gone overboard in terms of conspicuous consumption.
If the Curtain Club kicks into high gear, women will still need to purchase: Basics, for under $40, that they can wear with old scarves and jewelry; undergarments; items that get worn out such as pantyhose; the occasional pair of shoes to match with an old dress.
When the world around us looks so bleak, it seems fitting and empowering to find something to do in response. Changing the way that we shop and dress is a way that women can have a powerful impact on the world around us. Refusing to participate in the more-more-more cycle of consumption will eventually give the message to government and corporations to find better, more sustainable solutions. Adopting principles of Voluntary Simplicity can conjure up a long tradition of discovering a more rich and fulfilling life, which imposes less stress on ourselves, our pocketbooks, our communities. I hope that the Curtain Club is able to achieve some of these noble goals. Or, maybe just provide an outlet for creativity and ingenuity.
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The difference between plain old Recession Chic and Curtain Club:
Recession Chic is thinking that you won, because you found something on sale. (And, not realizing the inherent mark-up in a mall or glamorous retail space.)
Curtain Club is not going to the stores to be tempted by sales. But, remembering where you hid the old jewelry, or going to your friend’s house for a closet swap.
Recession Chic is watching what Michelle Obama wears to the Inauguration to see if she wears something off the rack so you can get one.
Curtain Club is watching what color dress Michelle Obama wears to the Inauguration, so you can find an old one, in the same color, in your closet.
Recession Chic is trying to look like a princess in really inexpensive designer shoes.
Curtain Club is realizing that you will need comfortable shoes now that you may have two jobs, or one, new job in a less glamorous sector.
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Footnotes:
[1] Smithsonian http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/civic_responsibility/smithsonian_siyc_fall07.pdf
[2]Tudor Links, “Dress Under Difficulties: American Civil War Fashions in the South during the blockade
http://www.tudorlinks.com/treasury/articles/acwdifficulties.html
[3] “The Garden Of Simplicity” by Duane Elgin
http://www.simpleliving.net/content/custom_garden_of_simplicity.asp
Interesting article, and certainly a concept that many people are taking up. Reusing, going to the back of the closet. Thrift shops.
I usually do recycle in old clothing, and for those not doing so already, probably a novel concept.
For the person who commented on the jeans, certainly you can dress up, be fashionable while using the ideas in the article.
Personally would like to get involved in a sewing, quilting, knitting or crocheting circle. To too many of us, those are lost or forgotten arts – And we may not have anyone left to teach us.
The little knowledge I had is long gone.
Comment sent in by Charlotte via e-mail:
Ugh! What could be more “simple” and ugly than people wearing jeans everywhere, for any occasion?!? Maybe you should just ask people not to buy expensive ones. The general population of America, working and middle class dress so poorly, with so little fashion sense, it seems to me that you are promoting even more sloppiness. Take a page from the French– they dress simply and just add a scarf. Unless you give fashion lessons to counteract Glamour/ Vogue/Seventeen etc… count me out. Besides, if it’s dark pink and stunning, I need to wear it!
Fondly,
Charlotte
Peace Crone
Posting Betty’s full comments here:
I like this idea – it will help me be more fashionable! I have lots of old clothes – actually, nearly everything I wear (I recently, and finally! bought 2 new outfits).
I have not been staying at my own home for quite awhile now and some mice moved in. I recently went back to get a couple of my zipper robes and found that the mice had used them quite generously as nest material! This was certainly disappointing until I realized that these robes were more than 20 years old. I ended up buying a pattern and some fabric. The first one is made and I look forward to making another. By making my own I can personalize it however I choose. This means that the second one will be different from the first, even though I use the same pattern.
Going with this idea, some of my old things can be updated with various embellishments – embroidery, studs, a fancy-yarn scarf or sleeve end. It’s a great opportunity to learn a new skill if you don’t already know how to knit, crochet, embroider, or make your own clothes. There are lots of very easy patterns out there.
I even have some beautiful upholstery fabric that would make a terrific jacket.