Cautious at craft shows
Craft shows are catnip to a subset of 50+ women. I went to a huge one recently, to buy our family's favourite confection, Brook's homemade chocolate-almond brittle.
While I waited in line to enter, I noticed two specific types of patrons, among others:
1. Appleseedies: Women dressed like a come-to-life Appleseed's catalogs, in denim jumpers or elastic-waist pants, interlock turtlenecks, boxy cardigans, and no-fuss hairstyles. Carefully coordinated, dressed to walk many long aisles. Footwear: Mephistos or clogs. These are clothing choices I avoid, but to be fair, they were dressed (and groomed) for function, not fashion.
2. Artsies: These women have never met a craft show garment they didn't like, and therefore buy many, and seem to wear all of their purchases back to the show. Pieced, appliqued leather jackets, beaded necklaces, Western hats with peacock-feather bands, and a large tote bag with something silkscreened on it. Footwear: hand-tooled maryjanes with rainbows or nature theme. It's simply too much craft, even when the pieces are well-executed.
The women artisans, waiting for the onslaught at their booths, show more style. They wear simply-cut pieces as a quiet backdrop for their wares. They murmur rather than shout. A pair of fishnet tights under a vintage velvet skirt, a shibori scarf worn as a belt, or a beret with a jeweled pin. One distinctive piece is enough.
I once went there with a chic friend, and asked her why some 50+ women seemed to gravitate toward this "walking craft show" look. Her theory was that, when younger, you'd throw on a pair of jeans and a cute tee and think, "I look pretty hot". One day, she said, you lose that confidence, and slowly add external reinforcement, item by item, so that eventually the busy clothes or overwrought accessories are like the frog in the water brought to a boil: you don't notice you're over-crafted.
I came home with the candy, a simple heliotrope and oyster leather change purse, and a conviction that after 50, I'd better be really careful about craft shows.
It's easy to get caught up in buying; some of the booths were mobbed. But an art glass necklace that looked interesting could morph into lumpy and earnest once home, and that appliqued mod-fabric tote bag will prove too busy to carry.
There are treasures to be found, like this screen-printed Yasmine Louis tee, perfect for my son's girlfriend, mais pas moi.
MeHoi's Crazy Jim ear studs are a cheeky graduation gift for the slightly subversive 17 year old.
And someone born well after the sixties may channel her inner Stevie Nicks to charm in this very well-made Gypsy Circus ensemble, but I'd look scary.
Craft shows require a discerning eye, whether buying for others or ones' self. I appreciate the many artisans who make one of a kind designs into which they've poured their personal vision. The goods offered are not mass-produced brands, but that doesn't mean they're right for me.
While I waited in line to enter, I noticed two specific types of patrons, among others:
1. Appleseedies: Women dressed like a come-to-life Appleseed's catalogs, in denim jumpers or elastic-waist pants, interlock turtlenecks, boxy cardigans, and no-fuss hairstyles. Carefully coordinated, dressed to walk many long aisles. Footwear: Mephistos or clogs. These are clothing choices I avoid, but to be fair, they were dressed (and groomed) for function, not fashion.
2. Artsies: These women have never met a craft show garment they didn't like, and therefore buy many, and seem to wear all of their purchases back to the show. Pieced, appliqued leather jackets, beaded necklaces, Western hats with peacock-feather bands, and a large tote bag with something silkscreened on it. Footwear: hand-tooled maryjanes with rainbows or nature theme. It's simply too much craft, even when the pieces are well-executed.
The women artisans, waiting for the onslaught at their booths, show more style. They wear simply-cut pieces as a quiet backdrop for their wares. They murmur rather than shout. A pair of fishnet tights under a vintage velvet skirt, a shibori scarf worn as a belt, or a beret with a jeweled pin. One distinctive piece is enough.
I once went there with a chic friend, and asked her why some 50+ women seemed to gravitate toward this "walking craft show" look. Her theory was that, when younger, you'd throw on a pair of jeans and a cute tee and think, "I look pretty hot". One day, she said, you lose that confidence, and slowly add external reinforcement, item by item, so that eventually the busy clothes or overwrought accessories are like the frog in the water brought to a boil: you don't notice you're over-crafted.
I came home with the candy, a simple heliotrope and oyster leather change purse, and a conviction that after 50, I'd better be really careful about craft shows.
It's easy to get caught up in buying; some of the booths were mobbed. But an art glass necklace that looked interesting could morph into lumpy and earnest once home, and that appliqued mod-fabric tote bag will prove too busy to carry.
There are treasures to be found, like this screen-printed Yasmine Louis tee, perfect for my son's girlfriend, mais pas moi.
MeHoi's Crazy Jim ear studs are a cheeky graduation gift for the slightly subversive 17 year old.
And someone born well after the sixties may channel her inner Stevie Nicks to charm in this very well-made Gypsy Circus ensemble, but I'd look scary.
Craft shows require a discerning eye, whether buying for others or ones' self. I appreciate the many artisans who make one of a kind designs into which they've poured their personal vision. The goods offered are not mass-produced brands, but that doesn't mean they're right for me.
Comments
So they get a compliment on their hand felted vest and think, if this is good then maybe I can patchwork up some pants to go with and suddenly they're overdone.
Plus there is often something frugal about them, they can make is so much cheaper themselves and then they can have it all (and unfortunately, wear it all at once).
It is also a matter of simply not knowing how to dress after 40-45 or so in a way that reflects us as creative persons, and not "corporate" or what we'd call "madame" (in French, means housewifely, domestic, suburban or conventional, not a bordello madame) - and not morphing into the slightly pathetic look 2.
When I was the cute 20-year-old, there was a lot of paint on my frayed old jeans, but if I dressed like that now, people would give me money on the streets. If I were currently 20-something, I'd be some kind of post-punkoid art student, but not being Vivienne Westwood, prefer leaving that to chicas 30 years younger.
We all know what is frightening here, but it is not an easy balance to strike. I love unique and hancrafted items - that is, after all, part of the appeal of the pashminas - but I guess as we get older it is even more important to pare down.
I see way too many Appleseeds and Artsies which always makes me think twice when I am considering something handcrafted or even avant-garde in the fashion sense. As someone who knits and sews (although sewing has been kind of on the back burner lately) I think it serves me well to really think about how I wear something and mix the more unusual or handmade items with good basics.
I think sometimes people have trouble figuring out how to make a piece work and they go overboard before they even realize what has happened.
Pseu: Agree, it is a way to stand out, like garish colours.
materfamilias: Your knitting is sublime, Danai s so right!
lagatta: your last two words, pare down- I should carve on my credit card. (Though I enjoy Vivienne Westwood I couldn't pull that off!
mardel: they love the piece but don't always think of how it looks on.
metscan: So many items do look cute on 20-somethings.
Nanflan: Love'applesseedling'- that would be a very young one!
But I'm just showing off! I agree with you on the aesthetics of it all. Rather frumpy folksy ladies who do a bit of painting or pottery as a hobby. But they're harmless enough.
On the other hand, the local craft fair in my town is a wonderful affair, especially on the opening night. Full of local professional artists and craftspeople and believe me the women look stunning - unconventional but stunning.
I had the most unpleasant experience of being tempted to visit the appleseed's (odd spelling) site. The colours are hideous old-lady pasted and the styles are horrifically frumpy. I can't see the advantage over lines such as LLBean or Lands' End (other odd spelling).
Don't practical-minded younger people go more for the MEC sporty style?
And yes, this is a wonderful post. Also my major style challenge, as someone of a certain age and definitely not suburban (not that there is anything wrong with being so).
By the way, happy Earth Day, every one visiting Le Passage, thinking of paring down and less but better... J'adore les passages:
http://www.passagesetgaleries.org/
http://www.parisinconnu.com/passages/
Thank you for suggesting I get a cute new purse to hold my keys. Yes, that's what I need. My spending hiatus. doesn't offically start until May 1.
I left you a special note in a post for Thursday. :)