Clothes of Our Mothers

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Special: Costumes of Chinese Opera

One of the special costumes which we would like to mention is the traditional Chinese Opera (Wayang) costumes. It has long and wide sleeves which exaggerates the actors’ hand movements during the showcase of the Opera. The oversized bodysuit is also explains the role and gender of the actors and actresses. The more intricate the details and colours are of the costumes denotes the higher status of the role.

The accessories are big and colourful so that it could be more attractive to the audiences. The headdresses also denotes the status and position of the role which the actor is performing.

♥ Dress Up.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Bundles of Cloths

Chinese Brocade

It is made of silk and is one of the many types of brocade found throughout the world,including including South, South-East Asia,, Europe and the Muslim world. Using Gold or Silver metal thread enables the motif floating up to the surface and gleams when it catches light.

Lace

It is an open-work fabric in which techniques such as looping, weaving and many more helps to create decorative holes in fabric. There are many types of laces, such as Alencon, Chantilly and more.

Nylon

This is the first pure synthetic fibre to be developed, it is made up of raw materials like carbon,hydrogen and more. Soon later, the fibre became synonymous with nylon stocking....Therefore in this ever-changing world many things are progressing.

Silk Crepe

This is a heavy, textured, and high-end fabric used to make wedding and evening gowns. Crepe is a general term for fabrics tat have a crinkled surface.There are many types of Crepe and differentiated by the yarns used, such as cotton, wool and manufactured fibres.

Polyester

This is a generic name for fibres manufactured from acids and alcohols to obtain from petroleum. Developed in 1941, it soon replaced nylon as the most popular and cheap synthetic fibre.

This cloth can be used to make fashionable clothing that appeals to the masses and is easy to care for. However, it does not absorb the perspiration.

Satin

Duchesse satin is light weight, lustrous and wrinkle-resistant- the perfect material to use with lace. Its shiny surface and smooth finish is a result of its satin weave.The face of the fabric show all the warps and the wefts which explains the smooth surface. Duchesse satin is usually made form silk fibres although it also contain polyester, rayon or acetate.

♥ Dress Up.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Making of a Kebaya

Seen many Kebaya before???

The most striking feature of the kebaya is the embroidery brings out the uniqueness and shows the hard work of the tailor. While is takes about three years to learn on how to make a Kebaya, it could take a lifetime to master the skill of embroidery. This definitely shows that to sew such a beautiful Kebaya needed a lot of creativity and skills.

A Kebaya is mostly made of Rubia or Swiss voile, it is pre-shrunk before cutting the panels and sewing together. The tailor embroiders the motif using sewing machine which have the embroidery hoop that allows the needle to flow smoothly over the voile. Different colour shades of threads are used to bring out the three-dimensional effect of the embroidery.

Tebuk(sut-work) embroidery are also used in making the Kebaya. The unembroiderred cloth will be cut away and meshes will form by them to enhance the embroidery motifs.

When the embroidery is completed, the tailor will applies the Ketuk Lubang (a sewing stitch which produces gaps at perfect intervals) over the separate panels of the Kebaya, completing the garment.

Wearing a Kebaya not only brings out your figure, it also enable you to personalise your own Kebaya. You can wear kebaya for functions, party or anything as it bring out the poise and elegance of the wearer.

♥ Dress Up.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

A GO GO

Western Style dresses - early 1960
These dresses are made of mostly cotton with scooped or sweetheart necklines.
It has waspie waistline which brings out women figure. The dresses are usually starched and worn with cancan petticoat to give volume to the dresses.
Excursion dresses normally costs $8 whereas work dresses, $12

Swimsuit - 1950s-1960s
Made of nylon and lycra
Is created when swimming become a popular sport in Singapore
‘Nelbarden’ swimsuit first appear in France in 194
There is zipper at the top and bottom for a more fitting silhouette

Stocking Nylon – 1980s
Usually worn by Office ladies

Platform shoes – 1970s
Made form plastic, metal and rubber
Usually worn with mini western dresses

Wedding Gown – 1980s
Made of silk satin, lace, beads, sequins and pearl
Made by one of Singapore’s earliest wedding designers Sylvia Kho, this wedding gown is a fine example of her embroidery and tailoring skills. The boat-neck dress with long train is embroidered all over with sequins, pearl and rosettes made of swiss lace. These appliquéd flowers give dress a three-dimensional look. The three-quarter sleeves are ruche at the end and decorated with sequins and beads.
- Very shiny
- Very conservative

Common accessories around that era?
Wigs- mid 1960s
Women wore wigs so that they can have different hairstyle without cutting their hair

♥ Dress Up.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Sari

Indian Sari

This 6 - 9 yard long cloth is used by Indian race to draped around themselves. The material of the Sari had changed over the years, from silk and cotton to lighter materials like nylon. Using lighter material enables wearer to enjoy a lighter fit, need not iron and it is easy to maintain. However, one thing that is left unchanged is the sophisticated embroidery and colours of the Sari. The cloths not only creates a personal style for wearer using the vibrant colours, it also maintains the Indian culture.

A blouse ad petticoat that is draped by the Sari cloth. The method of draping the Sari varies with the Indian religious form immigrants. While there are traditional ways of draping, most people now are influenced by fashion trends as different styles of draping the Sari demonstrated in the media.

♥ Dress Up.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Mirror of the Past and the Future

Kebaya Biku

The conservative design of this suit is comfortable to wear and also brings out the cultural essence of the Malay tradition. The Kebaya has changed over the years, and now there are a greater variety of colours and patterns. Observe the intricate details of the cloth too!

Traditionally worn by Malay and Peranakan Chinese, the Kebaya style is referred to as simple scalloped embroidery along the borders. It is secured by 3 broaches and worn with Kain Sarong (waist cloth) to help stand out women slim figure.

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Kebaya Suit

The top and bottom is made of the same fabric. In order to make it easier to wear, it is incorporated with waistband, zipper at the side and readymade front pleats.

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Baju Panjang

The long fitted tunic was secured with a set of brooches and matched with kain sarong stitched on one side. It has unwaxed cotton/linen waistline and is secured with a belt. The multi coloured selendang (shawl) served as an accessory on the shoulder to give a femine touch.

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♥ Dress Up.

Friday, September 11, 2009

A trip down memory lane.

The Sam Foo.

Commonly know as Samfoo (PantSuit), this type of clothing is a popular design in the 1960s. It is practical and loose-fitting that is normally worn when at home or when you're out at the market! Great to wear under a weather like Singapore!

The Samfoo could also be altered to bring out your figure and character. Match it with a Western-style handbag together with peep-toe shoes and you're ready to go on a date!

A little insight: The traditional Samfoo was worn commonly by women in the past to portray an impression of modernity. The blouse not only accentuates the slim figure of the wearer, the pants was also tight-fitting and tapered.

CheongSam

It is a versatile design which could be worn for many differernt occasions. Be it wedding dinner, Chinese New Year, or even to attend functions. To bring out your feminity, wear it with large western bags or a dainty clutch.
You could also pair it with sunglasses with cat-eye plastic frame and leather pumps for that retro look.

Look at how this traditional dress has evolved!
@ Chinatown

In the 1950s to 1960s...
The Cheongsam was worn by high society and office ladies. This one piece dress was developed from robes worn by Manchu women when they came to Singapore.

And in the early 1970s, First Lady Mrs Benjamin Sheares she threw on a Western-style jacket decorated with a scalloped hem. Just like the picture below!

♥ Dress Up.