Oooh la la!
To dress like a Poiret, aim for a straight, column shape, with a high waist. Long, slim dresses, or long skirts worn under empire-length dresses are all great.
To dress like a Poiret, aim for a straight, column shape, with a high waist. Long, slim dresses, or long skirts worn under empire-length dresses are all great.
Poiret models on parade
Layers are perfect for creating the Poiret look: throw a kimono over a simple dress and tie a scarf below the bust, wear a mid-length dress over a long skirt, or tack a piece of fabric to the bottom of a knee-length dress, to give the impression of one dress layered over another with a split train.
Layers are perfect for creating the Poiret look: throw a kimono over a simple dress and tie a scarf below the bust, wear a mid-length dress over a long skirt, or tack a piece of fabric to the bottom of a knee-length dress, to give the impression of one dress layered over another with a split train.
A long slim skirt, a modern blouse, a sash, some ribbons in the hair, and Art Nouveau a la Poiret is achieved!
A fancy scarf pinned to the front of a plain dress (bonus points if you have a matching one for the back of the dress) creates the 'tabard' look seen in Poiret's fashions.
Poiret was very influenced by 'exotic' textiles and garments, so add some Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Egyptian, or Arabic flair to your outfit. Exotic looks are a great way for gentlemen to add interest and period details to their costumes, instead of going for more formal suits.
Poiret does exotic bird person (is this the original human chicken?)
Poiret also used the Ancient Greeks and Romans as an influence, so add a classical twist to your outfits for Art Nouveau Poiret chic.
Poiret also used the Ancient Greeks and Romans as an influence, so add a classical twist to your outfits for Art Nouveau Poiret chic.
Layers and Pompeiian fresco inspired colours.
Poiret's styles are the perfect excuse for non-girlie ladies to not wear skirts. Harem trousers! Poiret basically invented them (or at least popularised them in the West), and the versions he did are much more flattering than the ones that are currently stylish (though those would do in a pinch). Just pair them with a loose tunic dress, and perhaps a turban in your hair.
Poiret's styles are the perfect excuse for non-girlie ladies to not wear skirts. Harem trousers! Poiret basically invented them (or at least popularised them in the West), and the versions he did are much more flattering than the ones that are currently stylish (though those would do in a pinch). Just pair them with a loose tunic dress, and perhaps a turban in your hair.
Denise Poiret in harem pants
If you are feeling really ambitious, you could try recreating one of Poiret's famous 'lampshade' tunics. Just take a dress with a moderately full knee length skirt, and make a circular hoop out of wire or black poly piping (very cheap at hardware stores) and sew it in to the bottom of your skirt.
If you are feeling really ambitious, you could try recreating one of Poiret's famous 'lampshade' tunics. Just take a dress with a moderately full knee length skirt, and make a circular hoop out of wire or black poly piping (very cheap at hardware stores) and sew it in to the bottom of your skirt.
Fur trim helps
In terms of fabrics and colours, go for whites and creams with strong accents, unusual colour combinations, bold prints, and metallics.
In terms of fabrics and colours, go for whites and creams with strong accents, unusual colour combinations, bold prints, and metallics.
Pink, lavender, lilac and black
Lots of this year's fashionable colours were used extensively by Poiret: burnt oranges, mustard yellows, grass greens, cobalt blue and silvers and bronzes all work.
Lots of this year's fashionable colours were used extensively by Poiret: burnt oranges, mustard yellows, grass greens, cobalt blue and silvers and bronzes all work.
Yellow, teal, coral and cobalt
For hair, headbands, turbans, scarfs and ribbons wrapped through the hair add a great Poiret touch, and a feather never goes amiss.
For hair, headbands, turbans, scarfs and ribbons wrapped through the hair add a great Poiret touch, and a feather never goes amiss.
An exotic hat
Accessories include long, dangling necklaces (though be aware that these can be a hassle for dancing in), bangles, bracelets worn high on the arm, and ankle bracelets if your ankles are visible.
Accessories include long, dangling necklaces (though be aware that these can be a hassle for dancing in), bangles, bracelets worn high on the arm, and ankle bracelets if your ankles are visible.
I am very inspired. I could dress like this ALL the time! Pity that the perrrrrfect fabric in my stash is an upholstery weight art nouveau rose pattern - far far too hot for Feb. It will still end up in something scrumptious and timeless however! And now I really, really wish I hadn't gotten rid of a fortuny pleated full length silk skirt I used to have...
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