Come Back, Little Caftan

 
I may have finally figured out what bit of fashion excites me now (Day 73 of Coronavirus House Arrest). Athleisure—be it comfy sweats or Yogawear—has never been more than utilitarian, not a fashion choice for me. I want to get excited about something, but I can't foresee a time when I may actually be wearing a dress.

Jacqueline Bisset—timeless

What garment holds a bit of mystery, creativity, and comfort all in one? A caftan (or kaftan) was originally an ankle length garment with flowing sleeves worn by men and women in the Middle East. The style is thought to have originated in Ancient Mesopotamia. Kaftan is a Persian word. Similar styles of dress are the djellaba, abaya and burnouse, but in the West, "caftan" is generally used for all.

illustration by Diyali Sen Bhalla

 
Once an exotic souvenir brought back by intrepid 19th century world travelers, the caftan came into its own in the 1950s and '60s when it was adapted by French high fashion. Dior and Balenciaga showed versions as loose-fitting evening gowns or a caftan worn as a robe over matching pants. It became the jet-setter's style-du-jour, popularized by everyone from Talitha Getty to Elizabeth Taylor.

Talitha Getty

Liz—no last name needed

My clothing need of the moment is something to wear around the house while not gardening, cleaning, sorting or cooking. Something that will look as if I meant to put it on if the doorbell rings. I know it's only Amazon, but still, we dress to impress. Something that will play with my love of fashion during this stressful time, something a little "Let's pretend" and a little out of my comfort zone (while being way so comfortable).

It's a nice look to try out/try on. Besides a long kimono that I converted by sewing together the front, I just purchased this caftan from "& Other Stories" (one of the H&M brands). It's a nice mix of linen and cotton, so not too flimsy. It does, however, run huge.

On sale @$49

I'm not sure if I'm about to hit the street in a caftan.

 

My front porch with a cup of coffee might be as far as I dare travel.

Madame Gives a Shout Out...

 
...and a blatant plug, something that is not usually my intent.

Back in early April—you know, 20 months ago—Johnny Was, based in Los Angeles, was among the first to offer masks for sale. A pack of five, constructed from their signature prints, lined in cotton with a pocket for inserting a filter, cost $25. For every pack ordered, a pack would be donated to essential workers.

That to me is a win/win—something I needed from a designer whose lovely Boho tops, dresses and kimonos are a bit too pricey for me and an opportunity to help do good. Wait time was three weeks (now shortened to a week). I actually wondered if we would still need masks by then.

The masks arrived today, and I couldn't be more pleased. They are lovely, all different, all lined in a soft striped cotton. They are nicely pleated and finished. I sew, but I could never have the patience for that kind of detail.

Lined interior

The pocket allows you to insert a filter. I understand paper cone coffee filters work well. A few snips and you have it.

There are now three choices of designs. Cotton sateen prints or cotton sateen in neutral (unisex) prints are 5 masks for $25 or 50 for $250. Silk charmeuse prints are 5 for $40.

Cotton sateen prints

Cotton sateen neutrals

Silk charmeuse prints

For every pack sold Johnny Was will donate a pack to essential workers in hospitals and charities. They have donated over 300,000 masks so far.

I respect the spirit and the manner in which these are being offered. A card enclosed with my masks read in part, "We are grateful that during this unprecedented time, we are coming together stronger than ever and all doing our part to protect one another."

Besides, it was great fun to open the package and see what I got. Imagine my great joy and surprise when one print turned out to be leopard!

To Shop or not to Shop?

Pandemonium at a reopened TJ Maxx

 
This question depends on where you live, what has opened up or is on the verge of doing so.

I recently conducted a straw poll and received as many varied answers as you might imagine. We are presently living in an un-united state.

Target seems to be the store of choice, mainly because all locations have been open during the pandemic. I haven't been myself, but I understand they are at least putting some precautions in place, such as limiting the amount of shoppers inside. It's easy to grab-and-go at Target, to pick up no-brainers like t-shirts. Many don't mind trying on at home and returning.

There are those who would love to just poke around a store to see what's new, but that's mostly a pipe dream. I understand as my week always included a run through the neighborhood TJ Maxx and Marshall's, places where inventory can change daily. That risk doesn't seem worth taking.

Those were the days...

 
One respondent said she would feel more comfortable in a boutique, just not in a mall. That behooves boutiques, usually small-staffed, to take on extra precautions of cleaning and maintenance. This, I think, will be necessary for the sake of attracting business and appealing to customers who may trust such an atmosphere over the big stores.

I read a newspaper article where Macy's stated they will effectively set up a 48-hour quarrantine for clothing tried on in fitting rooms. If my local Macy's is any indication, "Apparel Jail" will not look any different from the massive pile-up of go-backs one usually encountered outside the fitting rooms. You know, the kind of stack you wouldn't want to touch with a ten-foot pole, let alone a six-foot.   

One answer from hard-hit New York City had a plaintive "if only". New York is wisely still locked down. Stay strong, New Yorkers. It's also tough to stay strong here in Texas where things seem to be opening up like a house of cards in the wind. It's hard to "do the right thing" when so many around you have other ideas.

Shopping online for the forseeable future is getting some takers. If you think about it the dangers are still there. Someone may have tried that on anyways. The person who packed your delivery may not have been wearing a mask or gloves or may even have, heaven forbid, sneezed into your button-down. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. Besides, does anyone really know how long these virus germs last?

Then there are thrift stores, from tony consignment shops to rummage sales. Who's up for those? At this point, when we have so much, sometimes thrifting is a justifiable form of shopping for entertainment. From "something to think about" to "I would wash it anyways", reactions are mixed. I am pretty sure if it were me there would be gloves.

One light bulb has gone off in many closets: I don't need anything; I have more than I need already; I have things I've never worn; where am I going anyways?

Which reminds me, if you haven't seen it, Turner Classic Movies is showing a delightful romantic comedy from 1945 starring Wendy Hiller as a headstrong young woman with some surprises coming to her, "I Know Where I'm Going". It airs Tuesday, May 26 at 12:15 AM Eastern. I'll be there.

 

Life Along the Amazon During a Pandemic

I'm not meaning life along the Amazon River here. We are talking about life along the Amazon delivery truck route, and let me tell you its been a life saver.

Perhaps I should rephrase that. Staying sequestered, venturing out gingerly and carefully, may be saving my life. Amazon has done wonders for my sanity.

Nowadays the mail can't be expected to hold any surprises. The bills are paid automatically from my checking account. Magazines are getting delivered with the newspaper. No one writes anymore, not even a greeting card. I'm as guilty as anyone, and it can't be blamed on the pandemic.

The sight of that Amazon truck? Since mid-March I have ordered so much online it's a rare day I don't get a delivery of something. What have I been buying? Well, it's not just sheer laziness or even fear keeping me from the store.

We got a new kitten right before lock-down. Sidney requires canned kitten food. My local supermarket doesn't really stock those little tins of tasty tidbits. Where once I would not have minded the chore, I'm not about to run all over town even for Sidney. Amazon delivers.

Who's wearing much makeup? I'm not. But I do feel more human with lipstick. I'm pretty good with a lipstick brush and a deep coral color, but for now it's a swipe of a color so pale using a brush would be a waste of effort. While it's still creamy, this tube is so old no one stocks it anymore. I found one (yes one) on Amazon, and I'm not too embarrassed to order one tube of lipstick.

Books! The library is still closed. I have 496 unread books in my house, but when someone tells me about a great book they've read, well, you know what has to happen. I love getting books from Amazon because they come practically the next day.

Finally found my favorite faux-Birkenstocks in white plastic. I was looking for those all last summer as the perfect pool shoe. They turned up on Amazon. All I need now is the pool.

And so it goes. I've stocked up on vinyl gloves. The box I bought six weeks ago for $9.99 now sells for $24.99, but at least its available.

If we're in this for the long haul disposable masks just seem cleaner than scarves and bandanas. I don't think I'm going to bother matching my masks to my outfits—or even to my face. Amazon has them.

 
I wish I hadn't heard troubling news that Amazon isn't supplying their workers with protective gear. I understand the company is now investing in that, to the point where Jeff Bezos warned stockholders not to expect a profit this year despite how much Amazon seems to be raking in. He personally donated $100 million to food banks around the country. I hope this is just the beginning.

I'm still not a fan of online fashion shopping in general. I bought a shirt from Banana Republic Factory Store in two sizes, but neither fit. Shipping was not free, either, but I sent them back, only to receive my bill with no credit for the return. When I called customer service I was told that instead of the usual 15 days to process returns, the company can now take 30. Meanwhile I should pay my bill or face a fine. Fortunately I was able to convince the rep leaving me with a credit on a Banana Republic card was not acceptable. It's the hassle that continues to sour me on most online shopping. Say what you will about the behemoth, Amazon is hassle-free.

First responders, doctors, nurses, grocery store workers, scientists looking for cures and vaccines? You have my undying gratitude. Amazon? I gotta say you have my thanks.