FASHION

11 Elegant Facts About Top Hats

From the patriotic number that Uncle Sam sports to the titular topper in Dr. Seuss’ 'The Cat in the Hat,' top hats showcase personality and style—and their history is just as colorful as the people who wear them.

Weaving the Finest Panama Hat in History

Simon Espinal spent eight months weaving an accessory the likes of which the world has never seen before.

A Brief History of the Hawaiian Shirt

Their vibrant journey to the mainland and beyond is a tale of surfers, sailors, and cultural crossroads.

The Real People Behind 10 Fashion Houses

Before their names became fantastically expensive fashion brands, these people were just individuals opening up their own shops.

8 Glossy Facts About Nail Polish

You've mastered the half-moon and know exactly what shades are on trend (greige? Marsala?). Still, there's plenty more to learn about the polish you swipe on your fingers and toes.

Surprise! Makeup Ads Are Lying to You

Say it ain’t so: Most cosmetics ads contain “outright lies,” according to researchers. So much for that miracle cream.

Greg Washington. Courtesy American Federation of Arts/Bata Shoe Museum

This Is the World’s Oldest Running Shoe

In the 1860s, competitive runners wore leather cleats.

Why Engagement Rings Are Made With Diamonds

Purchasing a diamond engagement ring? You can thank a De Beers marketing campaign that started in the 1930s.

Why Graduates Dress the Way They Do

Graduation attire may seem weird, but it's born of tradition, honor, and rank.

13 Facts About 18th Century French Fashion

This Sweater Is Also a Physical Therapist

Cozy.

15 Fragrances Inspired by Literature

A Brief History of Princess Leia’s Buns

George Lucas claims that Princess Leia's iconic buns are from turn-of-the-century Mexico, but our investigation into the matter tells a different story.

7 Strange Historical Fashion Trends

Hundred-Year-Old Fashion Fad: The Hobble Skirt

Hobble skirts ruffled feathers and even changed mass transit—the entrances to street cars and trains were dropped to accommodate tight-skirted passengers. But their reign didn't last long.

15 Delightful Obsolete Garments Fashion Should Bring Back

Your wardrobe already has plenty of shirts, sneakers, and jeans in it. What you really need is for a sharp pair of spats to come back into style.

11 Fashion Trends of World War I

Lucy Adlington examines the story of women during the first World War as told by their wardrobes.

13 Bold Fashion Predictions from 1893

Were these illustrations meant to be true predictions or just satire? We'll never know—but at least we can enjoy them.

How to Look Like a Proper Victorian Lady in 11 Easy Steps

Earlier this month, we showed 21st-century lads how to gentrify their wardrobes Victorian-style. Today, it’s the fairer sex’s turn. So ladies, if you’d like to shake things up with a bit of old-fashioned elegance, here are 11 handy tips.

How to Look Like a Victorian Gentleman in 11 Easy Steps

Trying to add a bit of class to your 21st-century fashion sense? Here are some dandy pointers from Britain’s Victorian period

5 Easy Tips for Better Hair (From the Early 1900s)

Pour cyanide on your scalp—and other tried-and-true pointers from the turn of the last century

11 Fashions the Kids Were Wearing Back in 1993

From flannel shirts to second-skin dresses, pop culture (still) set the fashion trends two decades ago.

15 Fantastic Custom Made Lunch Boxes

Summer has officially ended, which means all the youngsters are headed back to school, new lunch boxes in hand. If you’re looking for a cool new lunch box for your kiddo or for yourself, here are some of the coolest custom lunchboxes and bags around.

The Strange Origins of 5 Iconic Fashions

Many of the basic fashions we take for granted today were popularized by people who were just a little bit bonkers.

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