Each month, our fashion editor Elizabeth shares her style mood board with us. She has an eye on the industry, and here’s what she (and the rest of the fashion world) is obsessing over this October.
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Willa Cather novels and Little House on the Prairie never appealed to me… but the wardrobes of the characters did. I appreciated the practicality of their prairie skirts (a simplified version of its fancier European cousin). Homespun in dark hues and outfitted in floral patterns, they managed to both hide the day’s dirt and look ladylike. My romantic spirit always did admire that juxtaposition of a western woman’s wardrobe – the high necklines, ruffles, and tiers balanced with the tough physical work their lives entailed.
Of course, I’m not the only one to wax poetic about simpler times. In the 60s and 70s, hippie culture found fashion inspiration in the former homesteads. To buck any current trends, they opted instead for vintage patchwork and long braids. Toward the end of that era, runway shows from Yves Saint Laurent and Ralph Lauren cemented a more polished approach to the pioneer period.
Looks for Spring 2019 agree (as do I) that the prairie dress is here to stay. So, this season I’ll be styling my printed maxi’s with chunky knits, wide belts, and mid-calf boots.
By Elizabeth Burns, Staff Writer
