New Romantics: Never Old To Me

Nothing new is ever new but re-designed; a re-used idea. When you mention mens' double breasted suit coats worn with short wide ties and fedoras; you might recognize it at as The Swing Era or Post War fashion. My generation (makes me sound so old when I say "my generation"!) was the start of The New Romantics.

Remember Adam Ant? Duran Duran? Specifically, Simon Le Bon or A Flock Of Seagulls? (A-FOS) as I always called them. These guys are perfect examples of The New Romantic look. I still have a huge crush on Simon!

He even sings about New Romantics in this song!

I think one of the reasons I am such an Anglophile is the influence of the fashion, music, traditions and such. I mean, in the 60s, American girls wanted to copy the Carnaby Street look. In the 70s, American kids ripped their t shirts and put safety pins on their clothes like the London punks and the 80s brought the New Romantic fashion from across the pond via music videos. I was immediately attracted to these "dandy" boys with make-up and swashbuckling shirts. I, myself, remember wearing ruffled, high collared blouses with puffy sleeves and military styled buttons in a "7" pattern. Long silk scarves, a carry over from the glam era, and pirate or pixie style boots were also worn by me and my peers.

Another popular figure in the 80s wearing New Romantic look was Princess Di.

The original New Romantics were writers and musicians of the 19th Century AKA Neo-romantisicim. Some names of this movement you might have heard of: Louis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling and Yeats.

Normally I don't follow trends - even though I am aware of some of the current aspects. I have seen elements of my youth resurfacing in stores. I walked into Target the other day and I needed to keep my sunglasses on because the young girls' department is closest to the entrance and it was filled with bright neon colored tops, skirts, sweaters and hats! This was not a favorite look of mine in the 80s and most definitely does not qualify as new romantic style.

Bloomin' Awesome!

First and foremost- please forgive the picture quality. I didn't pay attention to the lack of lighting on some pictures until it was too late and I was already full speed in my project.

Now- Allons-y!

My whole life I have been drawn to subcultures- watching old Star Trek and Doctor Who episodes when I was a kid, playing D&D in high school and-all the while sampling various "not top 40s" mainstream music and fashion; and, yes I collected a toy or two...or three. Before you start judging - you just wait! that NIB Queen Amidala Episode I doll is going to be worth $25.00 someday!!!

So here we are, living in the 2000s and there has been a resurgence of fantasy / cosplay / subculture groups, activities and such popping up all over. Steampunk is one of the groups making mainstream noise and getting noticed more and more (i.e) Justin Bieber and his Macy's window displays and the most recent 2012 Rose Bowl Parade featuring a huge mechanical device- all done up in roses of course.

Steampunk is more than its mechanical gears and goggles. The fashion and wardrobe play a huge part in the cosplay scene. The attire can be almost anything ranging from Victorian dresses and bonnets for women and waist coats and stove pipe hats for men, or; an apocalyptic sci-fi alien look complete with ray guns (made from Nerf toys and painted bronze). These items are not easily found and off the rack to purchase immediately. Most people make their own outfits or may commission someone else with sewing skills; in the case of the more intricate item. One item of clothing getting a lot of buzz lately is bloomers. Yeah, I said bloomers. So I set out to make a pair. My project took about 2 1/2 hours with items costing less than $4.00.

First of all I purchased a pair of pajama pants at Goodwill for $1.49. The pair I chose has an elastic waist band with pretty grosgrain ribbon and the sweetest calico print.

Second, I laid out the pants and measured the desired length. I cut off the bottom part of the leg and saved the piece for later use. I 
then hemmed the bottoms with a 3/4" seam.

Third, I rummaged through my notions of ribbon, bias tape and lace and although nothing matched the material I decided to use a soft yellow colored lace and sewed the 2" trim around the bottom of the hem.

Once both legs of the bloomers had been hemmed and trimmed with lace, I began the more challenging part of the project. I couldn't decide if I wanted to use a casing and simply slip the elastic through or use a "sew on" approach that gathers the elastic directly to the fabric. I chose the latter.

Fourth, I measured the elastic around the part of my leg I wanted it to go and tightened it just a bit- so it will keep its shape but not be too tight. Now, the hard part began. I secured the end of the elastic to the inner seam so it was anchored. I proceeded to sew the elastic to the fabric by pulling the elastic as far as it will expand. Eventually I made it around to where I began and secured the elastic with a backstitch.

Fifth and final step- I chose yet, another color of ribbon that did not match any other colors on the bloomers and made a tiny little bow, placed it on the bottom of the leg at the ruffled section and secured it with a tiny, tiny safety pin. Et, voila! a brand new pair of bloomers; upcycled from a pair of pajama pants! I love the mismatched patterns and colors. I consider them more whimsical and Alice in Wonderland style but as a rule, an easy way to "steampunk" an item is just soak it in big pot of tea for several hours!