Art Historical Sartorialism

This summer, I’m teaching an undergraduate course on 19th & 20th century art history and having a wonderful time putting together lectures that weave together key moments in these two centuries of major change. What I’m also having fun with, naturally, is my wardrobe. For a full week’s worth of lectures, I dressed in theme to the topics of the day.

First off was impressionism, when I took inspiration from Monet and Cassatt in this me-made linen top and striped skirt made from an old dress. I never would have thought to pair this combination together if I hadn’t been working on a theme, but I love it!

The next day we talked about the Aesthetic Movement and Art Nouveau, and I took the opportunity to look to the soft colors and frothy textures of John Singer Sargent’s portraits of society women. This silk top is from Anthropologie and the trousers are my trusty Winslow Culottes in the lightest chambray.

Next up we jumped into the 20th century, and I went with the linear abstractions of Mondrian on top and splashy color reminiscent of my faves, the German expressionists, on bottom, both RTW.

Finally, we hit abstraction and minimalism, and I couldn’t resist this op-art-esque dress, paired with a monochrome cardigan, both RTW. After that, we moved into conceptual art and performance, both more difficult to dress for (at least appropriately for class) — but believe me, I’m brainstorming!

The fun part? I’m teaching this class again in the spring, spread out over a full semester instead of four weeks, which means even more opportunities for theme dressing! I’ve been thinking of what things I could make. There’s of course the classic Mondrian shift dress, but I don’t love shifts for myself.

Drapey neoclassical dresses are ideal for lounging and eating grapes in, but less so for the classroom. Something more modern with a classical-inspired twist would do me just fine, though, and I could see getting a lot of use out of a dress like McCall’s 7429.

Trying to dress like the Romantics, on the other hand, has me dying for a good bishop’s sleeve. Any of these would make me happy; it’s just a matter of finding a properly dramatic print in a flowy fabric. (Simplicity 8013, Vogue 9076, and Seamwork Arden)

One dress I definitely do want to make, though, is something out of this amazing Anna Atkins cyanotype-inspired fabric. For some reason, I’m feeling it in a cocoon-y dress, maybe the Kielo Wrap Dress? I’m apprehensive about how it’s going to fit on my body, but I have liked the versions I’ve seen other folks stitch up.

Kuvassa: Heini Salonen

On a blue note, I’m also thinking I certainly need something in Yves Klein blue (I don’t love him, but I do love his blue!) I don’t wear too many angular, structured things, but I’m very into V9079.

IKB 79 1959 Yves Klein 1928-1962 Purchased 1972 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T01513

The Surrealists are harder, unless I just full-on dress in a Dali print. But what about a simple dress with a fur collar as a hat-tip to Meret Oppenheim?

That’s all I’ve come up with so far! But I would love to brainstorm thoughts — what art inspires your sewing?