Feeling Light as a Feather

Published by 3C Style

Scientific journalist, author and fashion blogger from Montreal - Journaliste scientifique, auteure et blogueuse mode de Montréal View all posts by 3C Style

Oh, I long for the feeling you get when nothing is weighing you down – no worries nor pain. You know when you feel “light as a feather”. A nice massage or doing yoga may help us get rid of some tension. But while we wait for our problems to pass we can try to recreate the carefree feeling with our look. Feathers are so trendy right now. So recently I was inspired to embellish my mules with ostrich feathers (see the mules here). It got me intrigued about the use of feathers in fashion. And of course being the curious person I am I had to know. Here is what I found.

Feathers have apparently been a fashion accent piece since the days of the Neanderthals. Many birds found *ewww* de-feathered in cave excavations were killed exclusively for their colorful wingsets.

Native Americans were slightly less barbaric in their methods of procuring the feather headdresses stereotypically associated with their culture, but they also wore bonnets for ceremonial occasions. Here’s something you may not know – women did not wear these bonnets whatsoever. They were exclusively for war, and not even used very often then.

16th century Europe saw feathers used as elements in masquerade masks. At first the exclusive privilege of aristocrats, the accessories finally trickled down into the lower classes over time.

The 20th century saw a resurgence of the feather in a big way during the “flapper era.” Women’s dresses were routinely adorned with feathers. This was also the age in which feather boas became a huge hit with showgirls.

Feathers always seem to make a reappearance when people are looking for a colorful, whimsical look. There has always been something fun about the feather. The look is always unique, because no two feathers are ever exactly alike! You can always be inspired while never appearing too try-hard.

Feathers also serve as their own accessories. If you don’t feel like carrying around a load of accent pieces, you can get everything that you need to say into one design pattern. Judicious use of feathers as a feature in your wardrobe is always a welcome addition to the party! That should take your mind away from worries, right?

Photography of 3C Style by Marie-Claude Viola – Makeup by Emmanuelle RochefortSilk Dress & Vintage Feather Hat (Thanks Elaine) – Era Vintage Wear / Sandals – Sam Edelman / Earrings & Necklace – Private collection of 3C Style / Venetian Mask – Made in Italy

For me, wearing feathers is one of the most freeing feelings, but so as doing these things below:

Riding a bike

Diving

Going Technology Free

Practicing Yoga

Gardening

Reading

What do you do to feel light as a feather?

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