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Monday, February 10, 2014

I Heart Fashion





King Henry VIII of England did not have one true love; rather, he had many; therefore, it is somewhat ironic that he was responsible for making February 14th a holiday. On the other hand, maybe it was fate that he initiated Valentine’s Day since he wed so often. Some of the marriages may have been for political reasons but others seemed to be for love’s sake. His royal highness, therefore, deserves to be thanked for gifting us with a day to honor love.

I have been in love with love since about the age of five. I have fond memories of trading valentine cards in school during Valentine’s Day parties. I also used to wish my last name was love or valentine or something heavenly like that because I was so in love with love. I became addicted to romance novels at the age of 11 and could often be found with my head buried in one as I grew up. I was the girl who was instantly drawn to the girl meets boy movies. 15 of my favorite romantic movies are listed below:

  1. The Princess and the Warrior (2001)
  2. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
  3. Pride and Prejudice (2005)
  4. Gigi (1958)
  5. Notorious (1946)
  6. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
  7. Some Like It Hot (1959)
  8. Picnic (1955)
  9. The Enchanted Cottage (1945)
  10. What's Up Doc? (1972)
  11. The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
  12. The Notebook (2004)
  13. Before Sunrise (1995)
  14. Jane Eyre (*)
  15. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

*There are so many film and television versions that I struggled to pick just one.

I hope you share a few of your favorites with me. I enjoy discovering romantic movies of which I was not previously aware.


I finally removed myself from fantasy land as I became older but I still have a fondness for romance. This perhaps explains my affinity for the heart prints trend that is so popular currently. Below are a few items I recently spotted; some I can afford and others, well, a girl can dream.

Navy Blue Heart Print Shirt; Wallis Fashion; $58

Kate Spade New York Shoulder Bag; Bloomingdale's; $248



Anna Sui Silk-Blend Top; Stylebop; $242

Alice + Olivia 'Gigi' d'Orsay Pumps; Saks Fifth Avenue; $295





Lola Rose Shell Heart Scarf; House of Fraser; $49
 
It is rather fitting that I have chosen to incorporate fashion into my post about Valentine’s Day because not only am I obsessed with fashion but as I have, hopefully, substantiated I am also obsessed, although with a clear-headedness, with the notion of romantic love itself. If you are a regular visitor to my blog, you already know that I love fashion history to infinity so of course that is where my explorations began.

I have, with my usual obsession, found out some rather interesting tidbits about the impact of Valentine’s Day on fashion. I began my research by exploring the origins of the expression, “He or she wore his/her heart on his/her sleeve.” This well-known expression about the vulnerability of love originated during the Middle Ages when men and women drew names from a bowl to find out who their valentines would be. They would wear the names on their sleeve for one week. There must have been some anxiety associated with this practice. I imagine some of the young people dreaded the possibility of having to wear the name of a person on their sleeve to whom they were not remotely romantically attracted. A similar practice occurred during the 17th century when women wrote the names of their true loves on notes which they then wore either on their bosom or sleeves.

Gloves also have a connection to Valentine’s Day. They were traditionally given as gifts, during the late16th century by men to their ladyloves. I could not resist delving further into this tradition after learning that women strong-armed, in some cases, the men they adored into giving them the gloves. Women would utter the phrase, “Good-morrow Valentine, I go today; To wear for you, what you must pay; A pair of gloves for Easter Day.” Of course, if she received the gloves she was expected to wear them on, you guessed it, Easter Day. I guess that was one way to make romantic intentions known. I also discovered, during my research, that in England, gloves were reportedly given to a woman when a man proposed. If she wore the gloves to church this would signify her answer as yes. Who knew gloves were so vital to love connections? Today, there are many more love tokens available to gentleman to bestow upon their sweethearts thanks to design houses, such as Burberry, whom are as in love with love as I am based on the popularity of heart prints. Note: The heart print images in this post are courtesy of Burberry.com
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During the 1880s, Valentine’s cards were decorated with all sorts of items which are commonly used to embellish clothing and accessories: fringes, feathers, tassels, beads. Even more exciting, for woman back in the day, it was not uncommon for jewelry to be used to decorate Valentine’s Day. They really took Valentine’s Day seriously back then.

Valentine’s Day cards may not be personally decorated by the givers of the cards in as over-the-top manner as they were hundreds of centuries ago; however, the feelings which continue to prompt sweethearts today to dole out Valentine’s Day cards deserve to be acknowledged in a similarly expressive manner not just one day a year but throughout the year.


My Keaton Row lookbooks can be viewed at http://www.keatonrow.com/stylist/sharonpate. The lookbooks contain outfits but individual pieces can be separately purchased. The fringe bag below is a favorite piece from my latest lookbook, A Touch of Color:



Please contact me, at any time, by e-mail at sharon_pate@att.net or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/farfetchedbysp if you have questions.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to your comments about this post.

38 comments:

  1. Love this Valentines inspired post! I too remember how excited I would be for Valentines Day and the exchanging of cards and little gifts and chocolate!

    www.andshedressed.blogspot.com

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks, Jessica. I hope you found it interesting.

      Sharon

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  3. LOVE the heart print! So perfect for Valentine's Day
    xoxo

    http://www.dailydisposition.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree wholeheartedly.
      Thanks for leaving a comment.

      Sharon

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  4. Thanks so much for your kind post on my blog :) I'd love to follow each other! I've followed you on GFC and bloglovin and look forward to you doing the same <3 Keep in touch!

    xo
    Dolce
    www.mydailysweet.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I will follow you back.

      Sharon

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  5. Thanks, Marina. I am happy that you enjoyed it.

    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great and informing post, love it!
    xxx
    Dee

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the compliment, Dee. I am so glad you liked it.

      Sharon
      http://www.afashioncrowd.blogspot.com

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  7. I don't think that I have ever owned anything with hearts on it! I love the Burberry pieces. They are cute without being too sweet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment, Melissa. I love the entire Burberry outfit, including the rubber skirt.

      Sharon

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  8. I love the burberry heart shirt.
    Thank you for visiting my blog Sharon.
    P.

    www.theblossommuse.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That shirt is a nice combination of whimsical and elegant. Thanks so much for visiting my blog.

      Sharon

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  9. Happy Valentine's! I love most of the movie you listed above :) Nice post ^^,

    STYLE VANITY

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    Replies
    1. Happy Valentine's:

      It was extremely difficult narrowing that movie list to 15. Thanks so much, Alyssa.

      Sharon

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  10. I love your Valentine's post! I love researching how history has evolved over the years!

    Jeni
    http://revampwithjeni.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jeni. I appreciate your comments. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. I love learning about the origins of trends and styles.

      Sharon

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  11. Wow those little shoes!!! I want them!! :)

    Secret little Stars
    www.secretlittlestars.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are so adorable. If only I could actually afford them.
      Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post.

      Sharon

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  12. Me encanta todas las prendas que llevan corazones!! Bsss bonito!!
    unvestidorconideas.blogspot.com.e

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always appreciate your comments. Thank you so much.

      Sharon

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  13. There a few movies that I have seen more than once. I enjoyed Bringing up Baby and the many pant outfits that Katharine Hepburn sported.
    www.fashionlisticallyspeaking.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Crystal:

      I first saw Bringing Up Baby several years ago and still relish it as one of the best romantic screwball comedies ever. The ever dapper Cary Grant whom I always adored is in too which makes me treasure it even more.

      Sharon

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  14. Love the Alice & Oliva shoes… great post.

    DinaBella
    http://dina-bella.blogspot.com/2014/02/body-shape-perfect-fit-inverted-triangle.html

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    Replies
    1. As an admirer of your blog, your comments are especially appreciated by me. The Alice + Olivia shoes are so glamorous. I adore them.

      Sharon

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  15. Love the Alice + Olivia shoes...so pretty! And I loved learning the history of all things Valentine's Day!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Debbie:

      I am so glad you enjoyed the post. I find fashion history to be so interesting.

      Sharon

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  16. I absolutely adore every piece featured in this post. There is something very sweet and girl about hearts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have always loved heart prints. They are so cute. Thank you so much for visiting my blog.

      Sharon

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  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. Hi Sharon! Wow! What a thorough Valentine's Day post! I especially love that Kate Spade heart shaped purse.
    Cheers!
    Flannery
    www.thefashiontweaker.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Flannery. That purse is so fabulous. I so want it.

      Sharon

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  19. Love the first Burberry! So gorgeous!

    Love the blog!
    Now following x

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Olia:

      The first Burberry is gorgeous. I am so happy you visited my blog.

      Sharon

      Delete
  20. Replies
    1. Thank you so much. I am glad you like it.

      Sharon

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