I have become obsessed with this youTube video, which I'm sure everyone has seen by now but here's the link just in case:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/fem.....conds.html

I've watched it about thirty times, and I have some thoughts to share.

1. Hats! They were such an integral part of street fashion. But now they're rarely worn. Is anyone else sad about that? Like hairstyles, they can transform your face, and they add that finishing touch to an outfit. Up until the forties, would any of those ladies' outfits look the same without the hat? I particularly love cloche hats.

2. Isn't this a brilliant demonstration of how clothing can alter the appearance and proportions of the body? That girl is tall, slender and athletic-looking, but see how much shorter she appears when wearing the early-century mid-calf skirts? She looks elegant and lovely, but not nearly as tall. And look at the 90s grunge wear! Those rolled-up pants with ankle socks make her legs look half as long. Then look at how impossibly long her legs look in modern skinny jeans and platforms. Amazing. It's validation for all Angie's posts on getting hem lengths right.

3. I was so focused on the girl's clothing that I didn't even notice what the boy was wearing until I'd watched the video about ten times, but the men's fashions are fascinating, too.