Sunday, December 13, 2009

Yay or Nay? Clarissa Seymour

Sigh. I thought the cozy, winter-appropriate leisure-wear of Johann Joachim Winckelmann would entice a yay but it was instead met with a big ol' Nay. Don't you people appreciate comfy clothes! Comfy clothes with a little flair, to boot! Oh well, back to fancy gowns it is.


Ralph Earl paints Clarissa Seymour (1789) in her peach and white gown with black accents. Yay or Nay?

[Brooklyn Museum]

28 comments:

  1. SakiVIDecember 13, 2009 at 1:54 AM

    The black is throwing me off visually. It's too hard next to the soft colours. So, Nay.

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  2. Paul MillerDecember 13, 2009 at 2:03 AM

    Nay. I appreciate that the sash is trying to add punch to this outfit, but the precious textile choices give this gown such a gauche femininity that not even classic black can save it. Besides, a woman with a face that handsome looks at odds in such a sweet, lavender confection. I'd like to see her in something either more robust or, oppositely, Grecian simple.

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  3. AnonymousDecember 13, 2009 at 3:01 AM

    I'm not particularly fond of the veil...but the dress is pretty so yay.

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  4. SarahDecember 13, 2009 at 4:02 AM

    Yay, but not the hat.

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  5. BiDecember 13, 2009 at 5:22 AM

    Yay! These soft colors and simplicity of the dress're so impressive.

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  6. Jen ThompsonDecember 13, 2009 at 7:23 AM

    Nay. Looks like an old wadded up dish towel.

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  7. NinonDecember 13, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    Yay! Beautiful.

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  8. nightsmusicDecember 13, 2009 at 10:47 AM

    I love the soft peach color, but the other ones have to go. And the headpiece too.

    So...Nay.

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  9. adamantixxDecember 13, 2009 at 10:53 AM

    she deseves an almighty YAY!!!
    what a lovely outfit wonderfully set-off by her mischievous smile and twinkling eyes...
    certainly a woman one would wish to know better!

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  10. rileypDecember 13, 2009 at 1:07 PM

    NAY. She looks to stiff to pull off such a feminine gown...Ah i'll just come out and say it: she looks like a drag queen.

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  11. VivienDecember 13, 2009 at 2:50 PM

    A big YAY from me! I love the colors, and the black adds a nice bit of contrast. I love the fancy but understated looks like she's, she all win for me!

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  12. HélèneDecember 13, 2009 at 2:50 PM

    yay! I love the black sash and the ribbon around her neck. I think she managed to combine rural, fashionable simplicity and elegance quite well.

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  13. Sanna KDecember 13, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    Hmm, nothing to say about the painting but here is something silly I found on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMAm4q_WwnM O.O :'D Not at all accurate costumes etc. but quite funny anyway.

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  14. AnonymousDecember 13, 2009 at 6:24 PM

    YAY!

    Very Chanel avant-la-lettre!

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  15. MonicaDecember 13, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    YAY, most definetly, just that sodding veil needs to go.

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  16. AlannahDecember 13, 2009 at 9:00 PM

    Yay! I love this!

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  17. Belle-EtoileDecember 13, 2009 at 9:53 PM

    I would like the outfit a whole lot more if the artist painting it were better at his job. Although he seems technically skilled, in his hands the lady looks stiff and a bit lifeless, and so do her clothes. However, this is not about artistic skill, but fashion, so I'll try to only judge her outfit.

    I love the fabrics she's chosen, and although the veil is a little much I think her top and overskirt are gorgeous. The sash ties in nicely with her choker and the black trim on her sleeves, although I would like it better without the gold trim. However I think it clashes with the pink underskirt. I would either have skipped the black elements and just gone with the soft pink, or better yet, worn a black underskirt instead.

    Despite it's flaws, I like the outfit. It looks luxurious and elegant without being over the top. So she gets a yay in my book!

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  18. The DreamstressDecember 14, 2009 at 4:48 AM

    Nay. Clearly no one ever told Clarissa not to mix patterns. And even without 4 of five different patterns going on - the style of the dress wouldn't suit her.

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  19. Paul MillerDecember 14, 2009 at 8:14 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  20. Paul MillerDecember 14, 2009 at 8:16 AM

    @ AlohaAroha: Finally a little validation. The fabrics are just wrong-headed.

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  21. Lady LizDecember 14, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    A true Yay. Light colors set off with sober black were so fashionable...and I love the sheer fabric.

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  22. Molly M.December 14, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    I'm not fond of the veil, but the dress is lovely. Yay from me!

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  23. ClaudiaDecember 14, 2009 at 2:04 PM

    a yay from me. like the combo very much!

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  24. SusanDecember 14, 2009 at 3:44 PM

    The black with the peach - so fashionable except for the encroaching darkness that seems to be twining about her neck and waist. Nay. And the veil, double nay.

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  25. JessiDecember 14, 2009 at 3:50 PM

    While Miss (?) Seymour appears to have intelligence emanating from what Darcy would term 'fine eyes' she doesn't seem to have read the memo on not mixing patterns - methinks she could've been more of a tomboy than fashionista (no criticism there however). Also the combo of the black collar and scarf, and the sombre backround, give her an air (though not an actuality given the peach) of mourning.

    'Nay' - sorry dear.

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  26. Ana O'December 15, 2009 at 7:49 AM

    YAY!! Love the way the black contrasts with the softer colours, giving a fun punch to the whole outfit!! But the veil has to go :(

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  27. HesterDecember 17, 2009 at 10:13 AM

    I like the dress very muchh, and her hair is pinned up beautifully.
    I say Yay!

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  28. Mary SimonsenDecember 18, 2009 at 11:09 AM

    The dress is pretty, but the color makes her look too pale. The colors are so muted that the painting looks faded. I don't care for the veil. I'd have to say overall, Nay.

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