Mining Gold: Day 7 and Graduation!

 
Nobody rests on the 7th day of the Miracle Course. This is where we learn How to Be a Fashion Expert.

The section's first two pages seem nothing more than a bunch of stock photos the art department had left over and the copy department tried very hard to justify. Titled "Fashion is a lot of little things", two gems are "When in doubt about a hat—wear a beret. Goes with everything!" and "There's something about a long skinny tightly furled umbrella that practically screams: 'she's fashionable'."

The Course then answers the question "What is this thing called high fashion?" I think we would easily say, "couture, runways, famous designers." In 1952 high fashion was that which was not yet accepted and worn by all. "It's a style that nobody wore yesterday—that very few are wearing today—and that everybody will wear tomorrow." Could this not also be the definition of a trend?

Some good advice: You have got to have the nerve and the "fashion bearing" to pull off anything brand-new as it (and you) will get attention. So, wear it with conviction. If you're not convincing no one else will be convinced.

More good advice: If you have a major purchase to buy, say you are replacing a winter coat, pick one in tomorrow's style rather than today's. Your investment will last longer.

Still more good advice: Can't afford high fashion? Pick up the colors, details or accessories of the new look and update yours in small ways.

Now you know all the answers

I found some early thinking on wearing separates. Try to remember that in 1952 dresses were numero uno. A suit was a suit, not two pieces that could be worn individually. So having a collection of blouses and sweaters and jackets to increase your wardrobe possibilities was pretty revolutionary. And it caught on. The dress has only returned, and then really in a diminished way, in the past ten years or so.
 
The models on a two-page spread are having a conversation, blonde and brunette. They are discussing the all-too-real conundrum that men have with how women look. Men like women who are a bit sexy as long as they aren't their women. So the trick is to have "a little sex-appeal in a lady-like way." Flirty skirts, hair that's touchable, "dainty little shoes to make their feet look bigger", a little glitter (but not too much), "swishy and pretty dresses". And then the girls compliment each other on their pretty dresses. By this point I think the staff were either reaching deadline or were so over the whole project.

Finally, on page 97, you are given permission to insert a little personality into your style. If you love hats, indulge yourself. If it's shoes, go for them. Have a trademark piece of jewelry? Wear it with everything. Adore scarves? Wear them unconventionally, around your wrist or on a handbag.  

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What have we learned? Well, I learned that back in 1952 fashion was serious business. As happens so often when a decade turns, the early 50s were more like the end of the 40s. Fashionable in 1952 meant one way and one way only.The Miracle Course feels like a battle plan. There were rules to follow, and if you did you could expect success. The ego was pretty sublimated. There was none of this "dress for who you really are."

My report on the course was not meant to be a put down. I found still much go still to be mined. Good advice is good advice no matter the year. The revelation was how strict it all was. The idea one could become a "fashion expert" by taking the course might be a stretch, but I hope it helped some readers.

It's hard to believe three of our greatest fashion icons were barely a blip on the radar in 1952. Audrey, Grace and Marilyn were just beginning their careers. Audrey (the Original), Grace (the Lady) and Marilyn (the Bombshell) changed the way we saw fashion. By emulating our favorites we developed our own styles. I know; I was there.

A new day was dawning...