December 07, 2006

A Rakish History of Men's Wear at the NYPL The intriguing story of how menswear swung between ostentation and restraint until the early modern era.

I almost stopped into this exhibit when I was in New York last week, but sadly ran out of time. Situated next door to Bryant Park (of Fashion Week fame) the New York Public Library has a lovely collection of haistorical-sartorial illustrations by Auguste Racinet From the NYPL press release: "Drawing mainly from the art and architecture collection of the library's Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division, the items on display tell the intriguing story of how menswear swung between ostentation and restraint until the early modern era. The exhibition pays particular attention to the rakes and rebels, from George "Beau" Brummell in the Nineteenth Century to style icons like Sean Combs today, who have defined masculine fashion. The exhibition is curated by Paula Baxter, curator of the library's art and architecture collection."

posted by The Underpants Monster 17 years ago
  • As a beneficiary of the modern era, may I just say how happy I am not to have to fool with any of that crap. (It looks like an interesting exhibit though) I'm happy that others can engage their inner Fes and look great - but for me that's just too much thinking about wearing stuff. Shirt? Check. Shoes? Check. Let's go!
  • *paging Fes*
  • The bitter irony is, I posted that while wearing a Kathie Lee dress one size too big, held together with an elaborate network of saftey pins.
  • That's totally punk!
  • -watches petebest go by with no pants-
  • *covers eyes, shakes head DAMMIT PETE!!
  • Pete should at least wear a codpiece.
  • a? The petes must wear a multiplicity!
  • Codswallop.
  • Regardez le sacfree. Haute coture pour tu balls.
  • I guess you could wear a ball gown over 'em.