Do we now think we’re in Little House in a Prairie? Can somebody explain the fashion?

[sodoffputin]

I went into my local clothes shop earlier today. It’s called ‘Iris’ (there are a few in London, but not sure about elsewhere) and usually it’s quite handy and has quite a few things I like - eg. a selection from Ba&sh, things like that. But I had to say something to the staff because look at the dresses in these pictures - this is just a small selection of similar stuff they are now selling. Have you ever seen anyone wear such dresses in recent history? What is happening? Can any fashionistas explain this please?

I quite like them. Wet Leg carry them off pretty well

My mum wore alot of the Laura Ashley ones in the 80s. I like Gunne Sax best.

@sodoffputin

Oh ok, I was actually joking about the growing your own food, etc, but I’ve just Googled ‘Cottagecore’ and it is indeed just that There’s is a book about it and all sorts of ways to embrace the lifestyle.

I had no idea this was even a thing and I’m a reasonably domestic type.

Why would you? It’s a trend among young people. I don’t think it’s a mid-40’s lifestyle!

I didn't realize Gilead was expanding into our high streets?

That style comes from way before 1980s.
And today's version is nothing like as well-cut as the original.
I wore something similar - but much nicer (IMHO) - around 1970 as an undergraduate. In subtle Liberty fabrics which I sewed myself. There were lots of very good dressmaking patterns. The style was not then connected with anything Amish. Rather, with the opposite: the original Biba luxe hippy /slightly decadent/ pre-Raphaelite aesthetic. (This was before Goths had been invented. I think they might also have liked them.) The point was that these garments flowed and swayed. They were made of natural fibres. They clung to the body in a way that skimpy 'mod' 1960s polyester stuff - especially miniskirts - did not, and were a reaction to them. Most women - even young girls - did not have Twiggy's 1960s figure, even though we were mostly much thinner then than now. These sensuous garments suited a great many people. And, from experience, I never met a chap who found them unattractive.

At the same time, we also wore quite low-cut frocks - similarly based on historical models. And beautiful but powerfully fragrant - patouchli? something else? - frocks made from lovely hand-printed Indian textiles. In the winter, it was velvet. Purple, for preference.

@Jaxhog

I didn't realize Gilead was expanding into our high streets?

Came on to say this

What do you mean these dresses are in fashion? Since when? I’ve never seen anyone wear such items

I've just seen several dresses of this style in Sainsbury's.
1980s last time I wore something like this.

@Hertsgirl10

Only person i have seen wearing stuff like this is Holly willouby I thought she was dressing like she was from the Victorian times. Can’t understand this new ‘fashion’ never seen anyone in real life wear anything like this.

I have seen loads of women, all different ages, wearing those sort of dresses.

Never seen Holly wearing anything like it. She usually likes to show her boobs off whenever I see her

I wore something similar to picture 1 in the 70s. My mum made it. I was 5.

I wouldn’t inflict it on my children.

I’ve seen some lovely dresses which go well with leather/ denim jackets and chunky boots- but cannot understand the full throttle prairie look.

Must be a niche look. Does make you wonder about the power of influencers / fashion industry to set trends.

Similar to hippy fashion in my youth. I quite liked the second one, the red one. I'm not always keen on those fabrics, a little busy for my taste especially if there are frills and furbelows as well. But hey, better than a lot of things I see people wearing in the streets.

I can't wait for this trend to pass. It looks great on willowy young women like my daughters. They wear them with clumpy boots/trainers and biker jackets and look cool. But a petite busty pensioner like me would look ridiculous in them.

I agree. They are horrid

As a child I loved LHOTP.
I also wore my fair share of Laura Ashley when it was in fashion in the 1980s.
When I found out that Michael Landon was an abusive alcoholic and drug addict it put me off such fashion tho......
It was a growing up moment.

I can't understand what's going on with clothes at the moment. I went browsing today, hoping to find a pretty long dress - everything I saw (in the usual range of high street shops) was not only incredibly conservative and cover-all, but the fabrics are nasty cheap sweaty nylons, and the prints and colours repulsive.

I'll stick to charity shops this year I think.

I have seen loads of these dresses too they are everywhere, all high necked and Frills - I would feel like I am 10 y.o. wearing a party frock from the 1970’s.
They will only suit young flat /smaller chested women IMO.

I trawled the internet and have ordered a few dresses from John Lewis which have a lower neckline am hoping will be better.

@lucillelarusso

[[https://www.boredpanda.com/target-dress-challenge/?utm]]source=google&utmmmedium=organic&utmcampaign=organic

These are brilliant 🤣🤣🤣

Michael Landon was an abusive alcoholic and drug addict?

Offs, that's shattered my illusions 😭😭😭

I loved LHOTP 😥

Is nothing sacred?🥺

I like the cottagecore look, if not necessarily all the examples of it posted here, and I don’t particularly care what anyone else thinks. But I’m bemused by the comments about surrendered wives and religious cults. The look is in part a reaction to the over-sexualised, porn-inspired Kardashian bodycon that has been around, and it’s one that women clearly wear to please themselves rather than men- look at all the comments here about how comfortable people find it and how their partners take the piss. Not entirely sure what is Gileadean about that, or indeed how slagging it off is some kind of feminist statement.

Growing your own food?

Keeping your own hens....

This style was worn by Kate Middleton before covid - I think at the Chelsea Garden Show. Maybe other occasions too.

@neverbeenskiing

YANBU. I'm trying to shop online for clothes for an upcoming holiday and I've pretty much given up! Why is it that finding dresses that don't have massive collars, voluminous puffed sleeves, frills and a bloody gingham print is an absolute mission?? I don't get it.

This ^ 😞

Look up Batsheva Hay dresses to get an idea of how the trend started.

Blame Carrie Johnson!

mathanxiety the modern trend, perhaps. She has given it a new and different meaning. But I remember it very well from last time around. Then it was Biba www.vam.ac.uk/articles/biba , and pre-raphaelite www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/pre-raphaelite/pre-raphaelites-and-fashion The whole lookwas later 'prettified' and de-sexualised by Laura Ashley.

All fashion is a reaction to what has gone before. As I said above, this particular fashion - now revived with a different meaning, and good luck to her - was a reaction to the tight, short, 'plastic' fashions of the 1960s.

@Gonnagetgoing

A poster in SAB posted this dress yesterday so definitely in fashion:-

www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/embroidered-fable-midi-dress/?color=001&type=REGULAR&quantity=1&cm_mmc=rakuten--affiliates--Skimlinks%20%28Variable%20Pricing%29-_-1&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=rakuten&utm_campaign=Skimlinks%20%28Variable%20Pricing%29&utm_term=820878&utm_content=1&utm_kxconfid=v3sdm8r4u&ranMID=43247&ranEAID=tv2R4u9rImY&ranSiteID=tv2R4u9rImY-w9hzkCC8INaiFgo3DUeRJQ

It's not really my style, I've got a shorter version though.

vintage Laura Ashley dresses have been in vogue for at least 2-3 years - my US friend sold one 2-3 years ago on Poshmark.

Cottagecore is the name basically.

Ooh thanks for this - love that dress in any of the other colours except the black (which is grim) - perfect for a vintage / festival styled wedding I am going to in the summer.

I thought you were going to mention the blouses and tops with big frilly bits on the shoulders and other places that seem to be around.

Late 70's I think was the last time something like that type of dress was in fashion. Pinafore dresses with high necked tops underneath, frilled around the bib, underarms and hem. Worn with knee high boots with a higher front than back, and a small platform sole. Often metallic finish leather.

Dresses were mostly ditsy flower prints.

The thing is, slim young things like Kate and Carrie Johnson etc etc can carry it off.
Fat , round , over middle aged women like me just can't ! (Not that I'd buy them anyway.)