Tis the Season V: Fashion History’s Gift Hits (and Misses), Part II

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Dressed: The History of Fashion"
Episode: Tis the Season V: Fashion History’s Gift Hits (and Misses), Part II
Release Date: December 12, 2024

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Introduction

In the heartwarming season finale of "Dressed: The History of Fashion," hosts Cassidy Zachary and April Callahan delve into the intricacies of their annual gift exchange, intertwining it with fascinating snippets of fashion history. This episode, titled "Tis the Season V: Fashion History’s Gift Hits (and Misses), Part II," offers listeners a blend of personal anecdotes, historical insights, and delightful exchanges that highlight the enduring relationship between fashion and everyday life.

Continued Festivities and Gift Exchange Recap

The episode kicks off with Cassidy and April reflecting on their ongoing holiday celebrations, still adorned in outfits exchanged in the previous episode. Cassidy shares at [01:07]:

“I'm still wearing my 1937 black Madeline Vionnet coat as a dress with my 1900 stockings, which have silver snakes embroidered winding down my legs.”

This nostalgia sets the stage for their gift exchange, revealing not just the presents themselves but the stories and historical contexts behind them.

April’s Gifts to Cassidy

1. Rubbers (Rain Boots or Galoshes)

   April introduces her first gift at [03:03]:

   “The study of the origins of words and how they change over time is actually the subject of this next gift, because it's both a gift of etymology and actually something quite practical for a girl like yourself who lives in the big city.”

   These rubbers are a nod to the post-1919 influenza pandemic era, where practical fashion items like rain boots became essential for urban living.

2. Jeweled Mink Toothbrush

   At [04:43], Cassidy presents:

   “This delightful conversation piece. It's a jeweled toothbrush, delicately trimmed in soft mink.”

   Originating from a 1957 Red Book advertisement, this quirky gift underscores the era's unique approach to beauty and hygiene products, blending functionality with opulence—albeit as a likely gag gift.

3. Sun Made Raisins

   April explains at [06:38]:

   “According to authorities, raisins are one of the richest of all foods in assimilable iron. Raisins may be called a beauty food served daily. They promote the beauty that results from perfect health.”

   This gift highlights historical beauty practices, where certain foods were believed to enhance physical appearance, a concept still echoed in today's health and wellness trends.

4. Balenciaga’s Black Antelope Money Bag

   Presented with a rhyme at [23:25], April gifts:

   “I'm gifting you a type of pocketbook I've written for a magic spell. So I am gifting you Balenciaga's black Antelope money bag for you.”

   Drawing from a 1940 Harper's Bazaar issue, this wrist-worn money bag exemplifies mid-20th-century haute couture’s flair for combining practicality with avant-garde design.

5. Glass Garden (Terrarium)

   Concluding her gifts, April shares at [23:25]:

   “I'm giving you a glass garden, which is a terrarium that thrives anywhere out of direct sunlight.”

   Inspired by a 1931 Ladies Home Journal article, this living gift symbolizes the enduring allure of nature-inspired fashion and décor, bridging botanical aesthetics with personal style.

Cassidy’s Gifts to April

1. Seduction Embroidery Kit

   Cassidy introduces this gift at [08:45]:

   “It's a more advanced version. It's box two of the Samplers of Seduction Embroidery kit.”

   This gift underscores the intricate relationship between embroidery and fashion history, showcasing the craftsmanship that has long been integral to haute couture.

2. Electric Clothes Brush

   Described at [09:19], Cassidy presents:

   “Electric clothes brush with cordless take-along convenience for the soldier. Automatically removes any trace of dust and lint from all fabric.”

   This unconventional gift from a 1966 House Beautiful ad reflects historical innovations aimed at simplifying garment care, albeit with questionable practicality.

Insights and Reflections on Fashion History

Throughout the episode, April and Cassidy weave historical context seamlessly with their personal exchanges, offering listeners a deeper appreciation for the evolution of fashion. April muses at [12:25]:

“Embroidery has such a long history behind it. So yeah. How fun.”

Their discussions illuminate how fashion items, whether practical or extravagant, often carry stories of their times, societal norms, and technological advancements.

Gift Recommendations for Fashion History Enthusiasts

As the episode nears its end, the hosts share a curated list of gift ideas for fashion history aficionados:

• Online Courses: Live classes on topics like the "1950s Golden Age Haute Couture."

• Silhouette Art by Charles Burns: Custom-cut silhouettes reminiscent of 18th and 19th-century portraiture.

• Books: A diverse selection of fashion history literature available through their bookshop.

• Embroidery Kits and Pins: Handcrafted items that celebrate the artistry of garment embellishment.

Conclusion and Season Wrap-Up

In a heartfelt farewell, Cassidy and April express their gratitude to listeners for another enriching season. They tease future projects, including upcoming tours in New York and Paris, and encourage listeners to engage with their community through emails and social media.

Cassidy concludes at [30:10]:

“I love you. Same. I love you too. Happy holidays.”

April adds at [30:15]:

“May you consider gifting yourself the gift of fashion next time you get dressed.”

This episode not only celebrates the festive spirit but also reinforces the podcast's mission to explore and cherish the rich tapestry of fashion history.

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Notable Quotes

• Cassidy Zachary (@01:07):
  “I'm still wearing my 1937 black Madeline Vionnet coat as a dress with my 1900 stockings, which have silver snakes embroidered winding down my legs.”

• April Callahan (@03:03):
  “The study of the origins of words and how they change over time is actually the subject of this next gift, because it's both a gift of etymology and actually something quite practical for a girl like yourself who lives in the big city.”

• Cassidy Zachary (@04:43):
  “This delightful conversation piece. It's a jeweled toothbrush, delicately trimmed in soft mink.”

• April Callahan (@06:38):
  “According to authorities, raisins are one of the richest of all foods in assimilable iron. Raisins may be called a beauty food served daily. They promote the beauty that results from perfect health.”

• April Callahan (@23:25):
  “I'm gifting you Balenciaga's black Antelope money bag for you.”

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Key Takeaways

• Historical Context Enhances Modern Understanding: By examining gifts from past eras, listeners gain insights into the societal and technological forces that shaped fashion.

• Practicality vs. Quirkiness in Fashion: The episode highlights the balance between functional fashion items and those designed more for aesthetic or conversational purposes.

• Enduring Relevance of Fashion Practices: Many beauty and garment care practices from the past continue to influence contemporary trends and products.

• Community and Education: The podcast fosters a sense of community among fashion enthusiasts, offering educational resources and interactive experiences through tours and classes.

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For more engaging discussions on the history of fashion and to explore additional resources, visit dressedhistory.com and follow Cassidy and April on their upcoming tours and courses.

Transcript

[John]

Yeah, sure thing. Hey, you sold that car yet?

[Mike]

Yeah, sold it to Carvana.

[John]

Oh, I thought you were selling to that guy.

[Mike]

The guy who wanted to pay me in foreign currency, no interest over 36 months. Yeah, no. Carvana gave me an offer in minutes, picked it up and paid me on the spot. It was so convenient.

[John]

Just like that?

[Mike]

Yeah.

[John]

No hassle?

[Mike]

None.

[John]

That is super convenient.

[Carvana Ad]

Sell your car to Carvana and swap hassle. For convenience, pick up. These may apply.

[Cassidy Zachary]

The history of Fashion is a production of dress media. With over 8 billion people in the world, we all have one thing in common. Every day, we all get dressed.

[April Callahan]

Welcome to Dressed, the history of fashion, a podcast that explores the who, what, when of why we wear. We are fashion historians and your hosts.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Cassidy Zachary and April Callahan, Dressed listeners.

[April Callahan]

April and I have been partying for the past three days or two days.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Since Wednesday, the party hasn't stopp. Still wearing our same outfits, which we described part one of our gift exchange.

[April Callahan]

Yes, I am still jamming out in this Charles James silk ball gown, but I have changed my jewelry as promised into the par Weevil gift set jewelry gift set that April gifted me. So I. I'm excited to hear what else you have to offer today, April.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And. And I'm still wearing my 1937 black Madeline Vionnet coat as a dress with my 1900 stockings, which have silver snakes embroidered winding down my legs. So if you didn't hear part one yet, please tune back into part one, because this sets up everything that we're talking about right now. And of course, we talked about a lot of things on that episode, and we. But we actually barely even got into our gift exchange, so I think we're gonna pick back up. We have what? One, two, three, three more gifts to give each other.

[April Callahan]

I have four more gifts.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Oh, wow.

[April Callahan]

Okay, so maybe I'll start. So you might remember, dress listeners from Wednesday's episode, that this year, all of my Christmas gifts to April are going to be accompanied by a rhyme, at the suggestion of a December 1920 article from ladies Home Journal which suggested that just add a little bit of personal flair to your gifts, and it makes the simplest present valuable in the eye of the recipient. And April, I know you love words and etymology, as do I. And so this study of the origins of words and how they change over time is actually the subject of this next gift, because it's both a gift of etymology and actually something quite practical for a girl like yourself who lives in the big city. Can't wait. First, my rhyme it's not to be open till Christmas, but after the gift has been found. Don't put it away as a keepsake, but use it the whole year round.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Ooh. And I have no idea where this is going.

[April Callahan]

As I said, a gift of etymology. And actually something quite practical in that is because I'm gifting you some rubbers.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Oh, okay. Please explain. I know these have different meanings in different countries.

[April Callahan]

The January 1921 issue of the Ladies Home Journal reminds its readers of a nuisance men and women said. But two winters of dread sickness have taught us to slip on our rubbers as easily as we push open our own umbrellas. Yes, of course I am talking about rain boots or galoshes. Why did you think I was referencing dress listeners?

[Cassidy Zachary]

All depends on what country you're from.

[April Callahan]

So the streets piled high with snow, deep slush underfoot, hospitals crowded, the dread threat of influenza. So this is actually right after, or I guess during the influenza pandemic of 1919, 1920. So they talk about how two such winters have taught the healthy men and women the necessity of protecting themselves against wet feet. So it says, do not take a chance with wet feet. Buy your rubbers from the United States Rubber Company. But you don't have to purchase them, April, because I have gifted them to you.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Oh, okay. What do they look like?

[April Callahan]

That's a great question. I didn't get that far.

[Cassidy Zachary]

So I can make up in my own mind what they look like.

[April Callahan]

Yeah, maybe I should go back and find out what they look like. But I'll send you the link in my mind.

[Cassidy Zachary]

I think they're just bright yellow.

[April Callahan]

Yes.

[Cassidy Zachary]

To match my bright yellow Bonnie cash and rain coat that I have. All right, are you ready for your next gift?

[April Callahan]

I am.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Okay, so this gift is sure to surprise even the pickiest of gift recipients. Whether that surprise is good or bad is up to you all. And it has featured in the November 1957 issue of Red Book, the magazine. I give you cats a jeweled mink toothbrush.

[April Callahan]

Oh.

[Cassidy Zachary]

So is that a good surprise or a bad surprise? I don't know.

[April Callahan]

Do you brush your teeth with mink? That's what I'm. That's where the surprise is coming from.

[Cassidy Zachary]

I will read the text for you. It says, for the lady who wants mink or the person who has everything, is this delightful conversation piece. It's a jeweled toothbrush, delicately trimmed in soft mink. Does a good job on molars, too. Perfectly righteous bon voyage house or all purpose gift idea. And then it goes on to say, that it was $1 in 1957, which would be about $11 today. This is available from Adrian, Inc. In St. Paul, Minnesota. And it does have a photograph of it. It's in a black and white ad, so there's no color in it. But the jewels that they refer to are set in on the back of the brush head. And then it has a mink handle. So the handle of the brush is mink. It's not. You're not brushing your teeth with mink fur. But I just want to say, obviously, because it would be, like, $11 today, I think this is really more of, like, gag gift. It really wasn't probably meant to be used. I would guess.

[April Callahan]

What publication was it in again?

[Cassidy Zachary]

Red Book, which was like a ladies magazine.

[April Callahan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's definitely. I've never heard of a mink toothbrush.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Yeah. It's yours to use however you please. Use it as a conversation starter. Use it as a toothbrush.

[April Callahan]

Encase it in cement. Send it back to April.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Send it back to April. Encase in cement.

[April Callahan]

Yeah.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Please tune in to part one to get that reference of this episode.

[April Callahan]

Well, that segues perfectly into my third gift from you, which, since we're on the topic of hygiene, mine is more related to beauty practices. I actually do not have. Have a poem. I guess I could have written you a poem and taken it out of the Ladies Home Journal article, but I don't have an accompanying poem here. But I know you, like me, are very into taking care of your skin. We both have very specific skin care regimens, which is why I am gifting you sun made raisins.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Oh, he's gonna keep the wrinkles away.

[April Callahan]

So according to the I. I was very deep in Ladies Home Journal, According to the January 21issue of Ladies Home Journal, and an ad placed there by sun made Raisins. Raisins are a beauty food due to their iron content, according to authorities. Authorities, as the ad continues to tell us, raisins are one of the richest of all foods and assimable iron. And it is iron in the blood that brings the pretty rose tint to women's and children's cheeks. So raisins may be called a beauty food served daily. They promote the beauty that results from perfect health. And Sun Maid are the finest raisins. So fast forward 103 years later to today, right? The health benefits of raisins are actually still being touted as is the sun made raisin brand, which I found so fascinating. That company's been around for so long. So apparently, this is a beauty food that keeps on giving. April.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Amazing. I can't wait to have a snack. Now I'm hungry.

[April Callahan]

If you like raisins.

[Cassidy Zachary]

I don't eat raisins terribly often, but I do occasionally buy those. Those little granola mix packets from Trader Joe's. They have the almonds and the cashews and the raisins and the cherries in them. I do like those.

[April Callahan]

So I'm not a huge raisin fan, but I do have sun made raisins in my house because my child eats them.

[Cassidy Zachary]

I will share mine with Leo. Okay. One. Oh, two more gifts for you. First of all, I have a question for those of you who have listened to our Paris episodes or maybe have joined us now, because now there's dozens of you who have come on our Paris adventures with us. Cassidy, have you finished your sampler of Seduction embroidery kit yet?

[April Callahan]

Do I have to admit that I have it on air? April, I have not. I have started it, but I have not finished it. It's on my list of to do this.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Yeah, yeah. You have a toddler. That does not leave you a lot of time to embroider. Just saying. Maybe he gets a little bit older. You have to stop. You're chasing him about the house. Or maybe you just get him some leading strings from our last episode.

[April Callahan]

Exactly.

[Cassidy Zachary]

But whenever you do finish that, I have another project for you. It is from House Beautiful, September 1966. And this add says needlework is easy and fun, especially if the finished product is something to wear. Work your own Florentine stitch in blues, greens, pinks, etc. Then return completed canvases to Maude Hundley for finishing touches. Bag canvas, started for you to finish, $12.50 shoe canvas, $10 wool extra mod. Henley Studio, Anchorage, Kentucky so can you wrap your brain around what this is?

[April Callahan]

No.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Okay, well, I. I know. I know what it was immediately like from seeing the picture that's in the ad. But our first clue is that it uses this term, the Florentine stitch. I didn't know exactly what this stitch was, so I had to go and look it up on the Royal School of Needleworks Stitch bank, which, again, we have spoken about on the show. It is a needlepoint stitch, and they define the stitch as. Florentine is a vertical straight stitch, normally across four threads, which is used in different colors to form one of a small number of geometric patterns. The most common pattern is the flame or wave pattern where the colors rise and fall. Others are oval and stepped patterns. Collectively, these patterns are known as Florentine work or Bargello work. So that's how the stitch is defined. But essentially what this is, is these are needlepoint canvases that come to you, and then you execute your Florentine stitch in these kind of undulating wave patterns that already marked on the canvas. In this particular one, they're kind of in the shape of a heart. And then you send your needlepoint canvases back to one Maude Hundley, and then she turns them into a matching handbag and a little pair of 1960s pumps.

[April Callahan]

Oh, how cute.

[Cassidy Zachary]

So your needlepoint handbag and your needlepoint shoes match, but you were the person that did the needlepoint.

[April Callahan]

Oh, my gosh. That's amazing. What a great idea. I wonder if someone offers that today. I'm sure they do.

[Cassidy Zachary]

I don't know. I converted that cost because you guys know I love this. I converted that cost. And this would have cost you about $215 in today's money without wool. That doesn't seem so bad for a pair of shoes. Custom pair of shoes and handbag.

[April Callahan]

No. And also, of course, speaking of Rebecca, embroidery, one of the things that we do in our Paris tour, not to go on a tangent, is go see the queen of needlepoint, Annie Bouquet. Annie Bouquet. Because it is such an art form today and still an art form today and still something people very much engage with and do. And again, like, embroidery has this long history behind it. So. Yeah. How fun. Thank you so much.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Also, just to give Rebecca a little bit of a shout out, because she has recently launched her second Samplers of Seduction Box. So if you have joined us on one of her tours before and finished that project or you heard about her on the show, ordered your own, and you want another one. This is a more advanced version. It's box two.

[April Callahan]

Yeah. And you can still buy box one as well if you want to start. So, yeah, that's a great gift for the importance of Paris.com. yes, yes, yes, yes. Absolutely. Okay, so raisins, your gift that I gave you, your sun made raisins, can actually be carried.

[Cassidy Zachary]

I'm getting them right now at the party.

[April Callahan]

Can actually be carried in your next present, which comes with an accompanying rhyme. And in the Ladies Home Journal article, it says, this is to go with a pocketbook. So I'm gifting you a type of pocketbook I've written for a magic spell. And when the fairies send it, this purse is going to be so full of gold, you'll never spend it. Of course, in keeping with tradition, as I love to get you accessories, you mini and accessory. I think last year I got you Schiaparelli newsprint scarf. And so I was looking for designer, French designer accessories. I came across the latest purse offerings in a May 1940 issue of Harper's Bazaar. And these are all from the French haute couture. So you have Pat Can, Schiaparelli, Molyneux, Lelong, Balenciaga, and I have actually selected Balenciaga's black Antelope money bag for you. It's quite chic, it's quite unique in that it is intended to be worn around your wrist, which I thought was really cool.

[Cassidy Zachary]

I love that.

[April Callahan]

So it's perhaps impractical, but it's quite lovely. It's gorgeous. And it's not made of antelope for or anything like that. Antelope is a reference, I think, to the type of strap. It came up repeatedly in that it's like a shorter strap and. But this was interesting. It sent me on a little bit of a rabbit hole because I was like, we don't really use the term pocketbook much today, at least in the us it might be different in the uk it's another word for purse. And again, don't hear it too much today. So I decided to research its origin a bit, the etymology of pocketbook. And there was a blog entry by the lexographer, which is an author or editor of a dictionary. Never heard of that word before. Luanna von Schneidermeiser on Separated by a Common Language, which is a blog. And she talks about how pocketbook was originally just that, a small book that could be carried in the pocket. Back to the first part of this episode with my miniature book Obsession. And so she writes that the Oxford English Dictionary shows that by 1685 it was also understood to be, quote, a book for notes, memoranda, et cetera, intended to be carried in the pocket, a notebook, also a book like case of leather or the like having compartments for papers, banknotes, bills, et cetera. And the Last meaning, the Dae, attests its use in the United States since 1816. I don't know what the Dae is. I think it's some sort of dictionary encyclopedia. But so around the 19th century, it started to be used for not just an envelope to you put your stuff in, but a purse as well that you would also keep your various things in.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Well, I can't wait. And you know what, you were saying that this whole wrist bag thing may not be practical. I will protest because I actually have two bags already that are wrist bags.

[April Callahan]

Just for your wrist.

[Cassidy Zachary]

There is a precedent in my personal bag collection.

[April Callahan]

Yeah.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Fabulous. All right, again, once again, in our tradition, many times in the past, I have gifted you items that help you care for your clothing. Most notably, a few years ago, it was. What was it? Glove cleaner that was made from gasoline.

[April Callahan]

Yes.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Yeah, yeah, we had a good time with that one. So I can't let this category of gift go missing this year either. Again, that last gift that I gave you of the needlepoint bags and shoes came from the September 1966 issue of House Beautiful. And this apparently issue is the one that keeps on giving, literally to you as your next gift also appears in its pages. And listeners. We talk about our travel trips and tours and all these things that we do. And when we travel. Cass and I frequently both bring these little travel steamers to steam our clothes after they come out of the suitcase. But, Cass, do you have an electric clothes brush?

[April Callahan]

I do not. Tell me more.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Well, you do now. The description says electric clothes brush with cordless take along convenience for the soldier. Smart traveler is a well dressed man's pride and joy. Automatically removes any trace of dust and lint from all fabric. Operates on 4C size flashlight batteries. Removable washable nylon brush on, off switch 5.95 from Taylor Gifts, Wayne, Pennsylvania. This would be about $57 today. Okay, so I know that this doesn't really seem like that exotic of a gift, but I think one of our first kind of clues that there's something a little strange going on here is that it operates on four C batteries, those really big ones. That's a lot, right? It also says that it has a removable brush. Okay. This all makes more sense when you see the photo of this thing because in no way, shape, or form does it even remotely resemble a brush. If I had to describe this, and of course we'll put this in our social for this week, if I had to describe it, I would label it as a contraption of sorts, because what it looks like, it looks like if a window AC unit had a baby with a vcr or if you're a really large printer cartridge, had a baby with a cassette tape player. This is what this thing looks like. It's rectangular. It has some sort of like a plastic encasement with vents in it. And it has this wide, like, slot taking up half of the front. And I have zero clue how this thing works. None. I'm like, so flabbergasted. Like, do you stick your clothes in the front slot like a VCR tape? Like, where is the brush. You can't see the brush. There's. I guess the brush is inside. And that's why they say that you can remove it and wash it. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know what this is. But when you receive it, please let me know how it works.

[April Callahan]

That's so funny because one of your gifts that I did not get you because I, I just signed it against it was again from, I think the ladies Home Journal, 1920, 1921 issue. But it was an ironing machine that again, you would slot your clothes through and they would come out on the other end, supposedly iron. But I think the sheer impracticality, obviously of this idea did not keep them much in the marketplace. Plus, it was like huge. It was like the size of an oven. Yeah. What are you going to do with this? But people really tried to solve women's at home labor. Right. To help them, help them with these sorts of things historically. I do appreciate the effort.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Yeah. I just like the idea of whoever this gentleman traveler is taking this contraption in his suitcase with him and then running it on batteries, whereas he could just have a clothes brush. Just saying.

[April Callahan]

Okay, so let's take a brief sponsor break and when we come back, I will give you your last gift and then we will maybe recommend some contemporary gifts for the fashion history lover in your life before officially saying goodbye to season seven. But more from us after a brief sponsor break.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Today's episode is sponsored by Acorns dressed listeners. The new year is upon us. And with the annual refresh of our calendars, Solo 2, comes our personal list of New Year's resolutions. And if you're anything like me, every year that includes contributing more to my investment and savings accounts. But as the months go by and expenses arise and opportunities appear, I don't always meet my savings goals.

[April Callahan]

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[Cassidy Zachary]

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[April Callahan]

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[Cassidy Zachary]

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[April Callahan]

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[Cassidy Zachary]

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[April Callahan]

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[John]

Yeah, sure thing. Hey, you sold that car yet?

[Mike]

Yeah, sold it to Carvana.

[John]

Oh, I thought you were selling to that guy.

[Mike]

The guy who wanted to pay me in foreign currency, no interest over 36 months. Yeah, no. Carvana gave me an offer in minutes, picked it up and paid me on the spot. It was so convenient.

[John]

Just like that.

[Mike]

Yeah.

[John]

No hassle?

[Mike]

None.

[John]

That is super convenient.

[Carvana Ad]

Sell your car to Carvana and swap hassle for convenience. Pickup fees may apply.

[April Callahan]

Okay April, I just have one more gift to give to you and it's so fun and fantastic and I actually think people could still do this gift today.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Okay?

[April Callahan]

And they do actually. So maybe it's just inspiration for a gift. So here is my promised rhyme. Accompanying rhyme. Santa Claus hailed me last night from his sleigh. Don't laugh. I am really not mocking and told me to give you this present today because twice too big for your stocking. So I am gifting you something that I made at the suggestion of a Ladies Home journal article from 1931 December. I am giving you a glass garden.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Please tell me more.

[April Callahan]

So this article talks about one woman by the name of Ms. Ruth Berry of the St. Louis Horticultural Society who discovered the ease of converting an ordinary fishing bowl into a glass garden. So apparently at this time, her gardens became incredibly well known and popular, especially because they only required being watered a couple times a year. So this is again, one of those gifts that keep on giving. It'll stay alive if you take care of it. And the article proceeds to tell the reader that you too can create a novel and attractive garden in just a matter of half an hour's pleasure, Preceded by a 10 minute stop at the florist or an afternoon excursion to the nearest woodlands. Once planted, they thrive anywhere out of direct sunlight. So first I, at the article suggestion, I picked my decorative glass enclosure. I've chosen a round fishbowl with two flat sides. And then I created a jungle garden for you with. I'm not even going to attempt to say the words, the scientific names of these plants, because they do include them in the article, but club moss, ficus, maidenhair fern, snake beard, African violet, holly fern, and sword fern.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Ooh, sounds lovely. So it's a terrarium. Yes, yes, yes. Yay.

[April Callahan]

And as the article, I love that. Yeah. As the article concludes, why not gift a glass garden this year? So that is my gift to you.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Fantastic. I actually used to have a terrarium for many years and eventually they, you can keep them going for a few years, but then they kind of peter out. And now instead of having a terrarium, I have one of those little miniature grow gardens with the lights. And I grow all sorts of things like smerry and chives and herbs. I've even grown miniature tomatoes in my little miniature grow garden on my, in my kitchen.

[April Callahan]

I love that. It makes me think of my aunt's house, which must have been built in the 60s. Full on terrarium room in the center of the house, which I just always found so fascinating and interesting. You like walked in and it was right there and to the right was the living room with all this shag carpet. Yeah. It had to have been 50s or 60s. And then the terrarium there was like a pond in there and all these plants that didn't really grow in New Mexico, but one of those. Yeah. Architectural additions that might not be as common today.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Yeah, for sure. Thank you for all of my gifts. Much appreciated. I'm sure they'll be much enjoyed. And dress listeners, we hope that you have enjoyed our gift exchange as well. Cass, do you want to tell them about some dress gifts that they might be able to request and put on their wish list or gift to friends and loved ones.

[April Callahan]

Yes. So if you want some fashion history gift ideas, we have our new online course which will be taught live in February 2nd and 9th by April and I on the 1950s golden age haute Couture. If you want to purchase that class as a gift, you just send us an [e-mail] and we'll send you a beautiful gift card to gift to the fashion history lover in your life or gift it to yourself. Go ahead and head to dressedhistory.com and sign up. We also have gift cards for April's Met tours as well. And I don't know, April, I had some ideas for other fashion history gifts. You mentioned Rebecca Devaney's Language of Love, the second edition of her Samplers of Seduction Embroidery kit, which is a great gift. But also fellow fashion historian Abby Cox just released these wonderful pins. They're corset pins and they pop open to reveal something underneath. And she also has these really fun corset totes. There's so many different fashion history or fashion history related gifts out there.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Oh, and also one of our perennial favorites from our friend Charles Burns, the silhouetteist. Cass and I have given these to each other. We have gifted them to our friends and family, but essentially Charles is one of the most gifted silhouette artists working today. And of course we're talking about that kind of 18th and 19th century trend prior to photography where a silhouette artist would cut your silhouette of your head and your bust out of paper and these were exchanged as reminders to friends and family. But he still does this and he can do it over zoom. And we have seen him do this many times now. He actually Contributed to our 500th online episode and and cut a person live. For one of our guests who joined us, you can head over to his website and book your session or gift [e-mail] that's S I L H O U E T t I s t.com.

[April Callahan]

And of course, if you have a book lover or you are a book lover, head to our bookshop.org which we link to in our show notes for 150 of our favorite fashion history titles. April and I are constantly reading books and we have books by a lot of the guests who have appeared on the show over the past 500 episodes. I have to give a shout out to one of my favorite books that I read this year that would make an excellent gift, which is Spanish Fashion and the Age of Velasquez by Amanda Wonder. But there's just so many different gift ideas on so many fascinating facets of fashion history. If you want to head there as.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Well, I think one of my picks would be a cultural History of Highliner by Zahra Hankir, who has of course been on the show in a two part episode. But fascinating, really, really fascinating book. But that's just one. Please don't be offended if we didn't particularly give your book that you published this year a shout out because there's just literally too many. Like I think I got two books from publishers just today alone. So.

[April Callahan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And dress listeners, I can't believe this is the end of season seven of the show. I can't believe it's already December. Dress listeners, we could not do this without you. Thank you so much for all of your continued support and all of the love we hear from you on a daily basis. We can't always respond to all of you, but just please know from the bottom of our hearts that you are the reason we do what we do. And that extends to you too, April.

[Cassidy Zachary]

I love you. Same. I love you too. Happy holidays.

[April Callahan]

Happy holidays.

[Cassidy Zachary]

You know what? Now you can go take off your Charles James dress.

[April Callahan]

I've already unzipped it. Until next year, dress listeners, when we return with season eight, may you consider gifting yourself the gift of fashion next time you get dressed.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Remember, we love hearing from you, so if you would like to write to us, you can do so@helloress. Dressedhistory.com is also where of course you can register for our tours, our trips, our new class, anything else that we have up our finely tailored sleeves.

[April Callahan]

Yes, and send us an email if you want to get on the first to know list for our New York Day tours coming your way up in April of next year and our Paris fashion history tour, which is coming your way in June of 2025, if you want to be the first to know. Both of those things will probably be listed and expected to sell out in January. So send us an email and get on those lists.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Thank you as always for your continued support. Dressed will be coming back your way for Season 8 in early February. Dressed, the history of fashion is a production of Dressed Media. Wow.

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What's up?

[Cassidy Zachary]

I just bought and financed a car.

[John]

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[Cassidy Zachary]

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[John]

Wow.

[Cassidy Zachary]

Mm. Hey, have you checked out that spreadsheet.

[John]

I sent you for our dinner?

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