OBSCURE FASHION

10 Clothing Items from History That Have Faded into Fashion Oblivion


Published on October 26, 2024


Credit: Library of Congress

Fashion is likely the most dynamic realm of human culture, constantly evolving with time. While some trends endure, others soon fade into obscurity, leaving behind fascinating relics of bygone eras. In this article, we will delve into the annals of fashion history to unearth 10 intriguing clothing items that have largely vanished from modern wardrobes.

1

Crakowes

Credit: Marieke Kuijjer, CC BY-SA 2.0

Crakowes, or poulaines, were long, exaggeratedly pointed shoes worn in the 15th century. These shoes were a symbol of status among the European elite, particularly in Poland and England. They featured long, pointed tips that often had to be tied to the wearer's legs to prevent tripping, an impractical feature that arguably showed that the wearer lived a life of leisure.

2

Zibellini

Credit: Zdeněk Macháček

Zibellini, also known as flea furs, were small women's fashion accessories popular in the late Middle Ages. These strange clothing items consisted of the furs of small animals, such as minks or martens, and could be used hanging from the neck or just carried in the hands. Some zibellini were even fitted with jeweled adornments resembling the head of the animal.

3

Farthingales

Credit: Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, Public Domain

Farthingales were stiff, hoop-like structures worn under skirts during the Renaissance period to create a wide, bell-shaped silhouette. Made of whalebone or steel, these undergarments were markers of status and wealth and thus were common among court women. They eventually fell out of favor as fashion shifted towards slimmer silhouettes.

4

Chopines

Credit: Викидим, CC BY-SA 4.0

Who said platform shoes are a recent invention? Chopines were a type of platform shoes worn by women in the 15th to 17th centuries, primarily in Venice and Spain. The elevated footwear, sometimes reaching heights of up to 20 inches, was designed to protect the wearer's feet from mud and filth on the streets. However, their obvious impracticality led to their eventual decline in popularity.

5

Crinolines

Credit: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0

A smaller version of farthingales, crinolines were stiffened petticoats made of horsehair or steel hoops, worn in the mid-19th century to support wide skirts. These undergarments revolutionized fashion by allowing women to achieve voluminous skirts without the weight and discomfort of multiple layers of fabric. However, concerns about flammability hazards at a time when candle lighting and fireplaces were common contributed to their decline.

6

Fichus

Credit: jean-louis zimmermann, CC BY 2.0

Fichus were lightweight scarves or shawls worn around the neck and shoulders in the 19th century. These accessories were often elaborately embroidered or trimmed with lace and were considered essential for completing a lady's ensemble. While fichus added elegance to an outfit, they gradually fell out of favor as simpler and more practical clothing styles became popular.

7

Spats

Credit: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0

A shortening of "spatterdashes," spats were fabric or leather coverings worn over shoes and ankles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally designed to protect footwear from dirt and damage, spats evolved into a fashionable accessory for men, particularly in formal attire. However, as shoes became more durable and styles shifted, spats gradually lost their popularity.

8

Bicornes

Credit: Marie-Lan Nguyen (Jastrow), CC BY 2.5

Bicornes were a type of hat worn by men in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Characterized by their distinctive two-pointed shape, bicornes were mostly associated with military uniforms during this period, often worn by army and naval officers. However, with the decline of formal headwear, bicornes gradually disappeared from everyday attire.

9

Ruffs

Credit: Johannes Verspronck, Public domain

Yes, ruffs are those things that made people look just like a dog that has been taken to the vet. These elaborate collars were worn around the neck in the Renaissance and early modern periods. Made of starched linen or lace, they were often a symbol of wealth and status. As with many items on this list, as fashion evolved toward simpler styles, ruffs gradually fell out of favor and were replaced by more understated—and practical—neckwear.

10

Snoods

Credit: Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0

Snoods were a type of hairnet worn to confine and adorn women's hair during the medieval and Renaissance periods. These functional accessories were often embellished with jewels or embroidery, adding a touch of elegance to hairstyles. However, as hairstyles became more elaborate and varied in later periods, snoods gradually lost their usefulness and prominence.


THE NAMING GAME

Let's Explore These 10 Fun Facts Behind Our Names


Published on October 26, 2024


Credit: Jon Tyson

Names hold a very important place in almost every culture, shaping identities in special ways. Across the globe, the formation and significance of names change, yet they remain a crucial point of individual identity and cultural and family heritage.

Ever wondered about the story behind your name? Can you guess which famous artist had more than 15 names? Do you know which was, until now, the most common first name among U.S. presidents?

If you want to uncover the answers to these fun questions and more, join us as we reveal 10 surprising facts about names!

1

The first president with a middle name

Credit: David Everett Strickler

It is common knowledge that, so far, the US has seen 46 presidents in its history, but do you know which was the very first commander-in-chief with a middle name?

It took George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe for the United States to finally welcome a president with a middle name. And that honor goes to John Quincy Adams, the sixth man to lead our nation, from 1825 to 1829.

His distinctive name comes from his mother's maternal grandfather, Colonel John Quincy, who also gave his name to the town of Quincy, Massachusetts!

2

Donald Duck has a middle name

Credit: Kin Li

Of course, President John Quincy Adams wasn't the only one with a middle name! While many people and celebrities proudly embrace their middle names, others prefer to keep them secret. But here's a fact you might not have considered: some cartoons have middle names, too!

This is the case of Donald Duck, whose middle name went unnoticed for many years, maybe because it's not the most common name out there. The full name of this adorable duck is Donald Fauntleroy Duck! Fancy, don't you think?

3

Iceland has a Naming Committee

Credit: Adam Jang

Unlike countries like the United States, where parents have wide freedom when choosing a name for their babies, Iceland has a naming system that truly sets it apart from the rest.

In 1991, Iceland established its Naming Committee, which has the big responsibility of approving -or disapproving- names for its citizens. Based on Icelandic grammar and tradition, this initiative seeks to safeguard the nation's culture.

To do so, Icelanders have carefully composed lists of approved names for boys and girls. So, if you want to live in Iceland and aspire to name your newborn after a beloved foreign rock star, you must first undergo the scrutiny of the Committee.

4

Pablo Picasso had more than 15 names

Credit: PassionatoAssai, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

There are people with only one first name, while others proudly carry two. There are people out there with three, four, or even five names! And if you think that's crazy, wait until you hear how many names this famous artist had.

While the world knows him as Pablo Picasso, the Spanish painter's full name was Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Martyr Patricio Clito Ruíz y Picasso. No, it's not a joke! Imagine having more than 20 words in your ID; maybe even Picasso himself had trouble remembering his full name by heart!

5

Ken has a last name

Credit: Sean Bernstein

We all know Barbie and Ken, icons of fashion and fun. But did you ever stop to wonder about their full identities? While Barbie's full name, Barbara Millicent Roberts, might be familiar, Ken's last name may probably have been overlooked.

However, Barbie's boyfriend has a full -and quite long- name of his own: Kenneth Sean "Ken" Carson Jr.

Just like Barbie, who was named after Ruth Handler's daughter, Ken's name is a family matter too; it's derived from her son's first name.

6

Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife

Credit: Christopher Eden

William Shakespeare's name, synonymous with literary greatness, is famous worldwide, but what about his wife? While her face might not be as instantly recognizable, once you hear her name, it will definitely ring a bell.

Ok, let's end the mystery: the wife of the very talented and well-remembered Shakespeare was Anne Hathaway. Yes, you read it right; she had the same name and last name as the beloved actress who amused us in the 2006 unforgettable comedy The Devil Wears Prada. But, of course, there is a slight difference: the first Anne Hathaway came into the world in 1556, a good 426 years before her namesake!

7

Six presidents shared a common first name

Credit: Ronda Darby

Throughout US history, we've seen some presidents with unusual names, such as Millard, Grover, and Rutherford. But among these unique names, there is one that stands out for its recurrence, as it has reached the presidency not once, not twice, but six times!

"James" is a familiar name to almost everyone, and it also had a place inside the White House. The six presidents who have proudly held the name James were: James Madison, James Monroe, James K. Polk, James Buchanan, James A. Garfield, and Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter Jr.)

8

The most common dog names

Credit: Jamie Street

If you have a pet, you know that choosing the perfect name for it is a meaningful moment, right?

Well, while we pride ourselves on our creativity and originality when it comes to naming our puppies, there seems to be a trend repeating across the country.

Based on a 2023 report, it turns out there are four names that are quite the favorites among American dog owners: Bella, Luna, Charlie, and Max. And it's easy to see why; they're just adorable!

9

The last Pope to use his birth name

Credit: Simone Savoldi

You might be aware that Popes don't retain their birth names upon assuming the papacy. Instead, they adopt a new name as a tribute to a saint or revered figure they admire and wish to highlight.

However, this tradition hasn't been followed by all Popes in history. There have been some Popes that kept their original birth names, even though more than 460 years have passed since the last one made that decision.

Marcellus II, who assumed in 1555, was born Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi, and he was the last Pope to use his name during his papacy.

10

Middle names derived from first names

Credit: Random Institute

Have you ever heard of patronymics? A patronymic is a name or middle name component that is based on the father's first name. It may seem confusing at first, but let's look at an example to clarify the situation.

Patronymics have impacted the evolution of surnames in many cultures, and some countries use them to this day, one of them being Russia. In general, Russian middle names have a direct connection to the father's name, including a form of patronymic. For example, if the father's name is Petr, the son's middle name would be Petrovich (Petr's son). If it is a daughter, it would be Petrovna (Petr's daughter).

Looking for an extra scoop of literary fun?

Learn more with our Word of the day

quibble

/ˈkwɪb(ə)l/