Sassy feathers
We are still inspired by the feathers in our fashion today. While it may not be practical to wear head-to-toe feathers on an everyday basis, it’s always fun to play with the feathers as fashion trends.
Interestingly, feathers are everywhere in the fashion industry. From the feather fascinators, hatinators, hats, shoes, bags, vintage and street jewelleries, to laces, prints and textiles all evoke these stylish fowl.
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According to fashion history, the feather was introduced to the world of fashion in the middle ages (1066-1482), when men and women of high social standing decorated their head-dresses with plumes and jewellery to display their status.
Fashion history has it that feathers have had a wide range of uses for thousands of years. Pillows have been filled with feathers and down since around 400 C.E (Common Era). Until the advent of steel pens in the mid-19th century, the best writing instruments were made from the quill of goose feathers. Feathers have been used for toys for cats, magic and medicine bags.
Feather boas made from ostrich, marabou, turkey and chandelle feathers emerged as a stylish accessory during the 17th century, but they did not become popular until the late Victorian and Edwardian eras.
The feather boa was considered an elegant accessory, and during the boom of the plumage trade of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, they gained popularity among the everyday woman and performers of the times.
You can incorporate some feathers in your dressing when you are attending a party, wedding, engagement, outdooring, carnival or a red carpet event. You don’t need to appear like a wild bird by wearing feathers from head to toe.
You can add colour to your dressing by holding a fan-made with feathers or wear a fascinator with feathers for a wedding. The men can have a brooch with a feather on their tuxedo or blazers. The daring ones can have a feather tassel on their shoes to make a statement.
Much as feathered clothes and accessories are very attractive and elegant, avoid wearing them to a business meeting or a job interview. Rather reserve them for your parties.
