tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post5009208892273682601..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: I Have a Hunch: Fashion and PostureGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-88613884782511941932010-06-24T03:43:59.422-04:002010-06-24T03:43:59.422-04:00Up to about 1965 corsets and girdles were consider...Up to about 1965 corsets and girdles were considered essential for females to have good posture. Interesting, boys don't need these things to stand straight.<br /><br />I've worn 18 and 19 cent corsets for drama and they give you no choice, you must stand and sit straight.<br /><br />Has anyone tried the modern equivalent - the posture bra. I've have heard that they are either very uncomfortable or too loose to do any good.<br /><br />AnnieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-17719177874870029272010-06-14T23:51:36.123-04:002010-06-14T23:51:36.123-04:00Yoga is what does it for me. When I am consistent...Yoga is what does it for me. When I am consistently practicing yoga, I am more aware of my posture! Otherwise, I'm quite a sloucher. The other thing that makes me more aware is just looking at the posture of my little kids. They stand so straight!Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03265763475632104771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-34287287356083633262010-06-14T07:22:29.877-04:002010-06-14T07:22:29.877-04:00I'm really interested not just in how our post...I'm really interested not just in how our posture makes our clothes look, but also how our clothes make us stand and move, and how/if that reflects all kinds of things like gender, class etc.? I guess, Marcel Mauss (yes, the anthropologist outs herself here!) would call these 'bodily techniques' or 'habitus'.<br /><br />Clearly heels, but also things like a pencil skirt change and constrain the way we move. Presumably we wear them because we like the way we look when they do? <br /><br />Woven and/or tailored trousers also make slouching/sitting on the floor less comfortable, perhaps also because (ahem!) nice girls don't lounge on the floor (or at least we have different clothes for different occasions and kinds of behaviour associated with them?)<br /><br />Doing research in low income urban north India and I wore the baggy tunic and gathered draw-string trousers outfit, salwar kameez. These are amazingly comfortable, allowing astonishing (to some one who'd grown up wearing jeans in Britain) amounts of movement and leg rotation, sitting on the floors of people's houses, chatting. All of which while being 'modest' and respectably covered, no matter how I was sitting or slouching in my more conservative interviewee's households. Dupattas/chunnis/scarves (draped over shoulders and chests) were fun too, and could be worn in the street to say 'demure', 'sod off, I'm tired, it's the end of a long day', or draped right, be a great bust enhancer! Oh, as well as to give off public signals about religion, caste or class. On a blood curdling note, several of my interviewees saw fit to tell me they approved of my dress - because girls in jeans deserved to be raped. Arrgh! I suspect this was largely to do with what jeans revealed (physical form!) and how they make/allow us to move.<br /><br />But you vintage-wearers out there - does vintage dress change the way one feels and moves? I'd be really interested to know.<br /><br />Meantime, as a lurker of several months reading and loving this blog, thanks Gertie for such a great read. I love the combination of style, fashion and social history and intelligent chat. Oh - and as a novice sewer - seriously good advice. Your hemming a circle skirt tutorial has been brilliant. Thank you!!CamberwellGalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06352140761108008616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-91377123770614943872010-06-14T04:57:19.101-04:002010-06-14T04:57:19.101-04:00What I love, is that as I read this, I sat up tall...What I love, is that as I read this, I sat up taller and taller. I am now sitting with impecible posture - thank you!!<br /><br />My mum has a system or putting yellow sticker-dots on things and everytime she sees one it reminds her to sit/stnad up with good posture. Aparently it works well for her, but it also means her house looks a bit like it have a form of fluro chicken pocks.Rebeccakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03847383566988861116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-28128366847025018302010-06-13T18:11:38.759-04:002010-06-13T18:11:38.759-04:00Go for an iPosture! I've heard great things ab...Go for an iPosture! I've heard great things about them and I can't wait to try one for myself. It's a little device you clip on your bra strap that vibrates when you slump to remind you to stand taller.Battyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00717801202888347259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50060634977210311162010-06-13T17:28:46.784-04:002010-06-13T17:28:46.784-04:00if you're interested in learning how to carry ...if you're interested in learning how to carry yourself better, look into taking an <a href="http://www.alexandertechnique.com/" rel="nofollow">Alexander Technique</a> intro class. Aside from yoga, I've found it to be the most helpful to me in learning how my body moves and how it's supposed to (they're not always the same thing!).violarulz/ducksandbookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06223425002708139409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-74239349620516853232010-06-13T17:28:35.123-04:002010-06-13T17:28:35.123-04:00My postie is already insanely straight. It's ...My postie is already insanely straight. It's something I have done since I was little, when I saw what I thought to be the picture of elegance when I was 3 or so. This older woman had beautiful clothing, perfect carriage, and wore corsets, and I remember her standing straight (I was too young to realize it was likely the corset) and I emulated her. Today, it's something that is second nature to me.<br /><br />I sew in the same chair I work in: an old kitchen chair, and I spend 95% of my time in it. I drive with my car seat straight, and to be honest, the only reason I think of it is because my teenage sister has terrible posture. For me, I find that not slouching over anything is more comfortable for me and my back.<br /><br />I also have a friend who slouches saying heels make it easier to stand straight since she needs it for balance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-32062311042207384192010-06-13T12:34:29.154-04:002010-06-13T12:34:29.154-04:00Do a Google search for exercises that counteract c...Do a Google search for exercises that counteract curved shoulders.<br /><br />I agree that posture matters, but sometimes it's hard to know what is good posture. I used to think it was the way Marines held themselves. Apparently, that's too straight.Sewernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-4258716316630165542010-06-12T13:33:00.184-04:002010-06-12T13:33:00.184-04:00Gertie! TOTALLY OFF topic but Joann's Fabric s...Gertie! TOTALLY OFF topic but Joann's Fabric store has a sale going on and today is the last day!! All Butterick Patterns except see & sew are on sale for $1.99. I thought it was too good to be true but I just got three! I'll most likely head to another store in a bit and see if they had any good ones. Even the vintage butterick's are going for $1.99. Just thought the readers might like to know (:.<br /><br /><br />& now on posture, I think it's very true that American's have poor pusture and that your body looks so much better when you're standing up straight. Heels do wonders for posture, I think it's because you just feel sexy so your stand straight. I'm more of a sandals girl but I do notice that I tend to slump in them. Changing posture seems soo hard.NewYoungMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09392198576470046397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-10124086587721762502010-06-12T11:06:08.779-04:002010-06-12T11:06:08.779-04:00i swear by pilates. just twice a week sorted out m...i swear by pilates. just twice a week sorted out my posture (and my sciatica). Its a lifelong thing for me now. Its brilliant!Shamim Akhtarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04284097855933926131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-34591917285320358152010-06-12T09:15:34.912-04:002010-06-12T09:15:34.912-04:00Julia - nipples "staring at the sun" is ...Julia - nipples "staring at the sun" is sooo funny! Older women would have to do a back-bend while they are walking!<br /><br />If you place something under the back of the machine so that it tilts towards you, it is easier on your back. You can sit up straight and see what you are sewing. <br /><br />Another back-saving tip I have recently read is to place the sewing machine on a raised cutting cutting surface and sew standing up. I would like to try this but my cutting area is a table that is normal table height. <br /><br />My ideal would be a sewing station that raised and lowered (and tilted) so that I could sit or stand while sewing. That would make for a bit more movement and less feeling as if I was stuffed into a pickle jar all day. <br /><br />Oh....and at a very affordable price!! A girl can dream, can't she?Doreennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-31121613891856231382010-06-12T06:44:13.656-04:002010-06-12T06:44:13.656-04:00I recommend the Alexander Technique.
en.wikipedia....I recommend the Alexander Technique.<br />en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_technique<br />www.alexandertechnique.comKatenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-47199834544550168772010-06-11T22:44:38.384-04:002010-06-11T22:44:38.384-04:00That posture in the cocaine chic Vogue spread is t...That posture in the cocaine chic Vogue spread is the "I don't give a f**k" pose.<br /><br />"I'm a size 2 and I can exaggerate slouch and still not look fat"<br /><br />Like skinny people wearing horizontal stripes.Saranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-55529399908486680482010-06-11T22:23:44.195-04:002010-06-11T22:23:44.195-04:00Posture is a weird thing. I teach belly dance to ...Posture is a weird thing. I teach belly dance to college students, and getting them to roll their shoulders back, lift their chests, and stand tall is often very difficult. Older women tend to have this a little more together, but not always. Hunched forward posture seems to be designed to hide ourselves and make ourselves small.<br /><br />I had to train posture. I started with yoga in my 20s, and then moved on to belly dance and ballroom dancing. I'm 5'7" and the other week I had a guy that I went out with tell me he thought I'd lied about my height and was as tall as him (he was 5'11" before I kneecapped him...kidding).Cynthiahttp://magpieshoard.tumblr.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12697741417465505012010-06-11T19:53:03.741-04:002010-06-11T19:53:03.741-04:00What a timely post. I've gotta get signed up f...What a timely post. I've gotta get signed up for that Pilate's class I've been thinking about. I've always been a sloucher (damn boobs!), but since having a baby last year I've also had back pain and need to get my abdominal muscles working again!Clairehttp://www.littlefishcreations.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-6745369846446137482010-06-11T17:27:14.739-04:002010-06-11T17:27:14.739-04:00My posture improves the more I dance (bellydancing...My posture improves the more I dance (bellydancing), walk, and run. Since I love doing those things it works out!<br /><br />The minute I read the word "posture" I thought of:<br /><br /><a href="http://videos.jimmyr.com/ms/mst3k/mst3k_posture_pals_ek.php" rel="nofollow">this</a>.kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08183686721305419157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-54401493676425547862010-06-11T16:56:19.719-04:002010-06-11T16:56:19.719-04:00I didn't even notice I slouched until a yoga i...I didn't even notice I slouched until a yoga instructor pointed it out. She had a great trick for making sure you're sitting properly in a chair when you're at your desk: You should feel your "sit bones" (the bony parts of your butt where your leg bones connect to your pelvis) connect to whichever surface you're sitting on. Engage your sit bones, and your back just straightens.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08149426274951453722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45549370213510557892010-06-11T15:22:59.523-04:002010-06-11T15:22:59.523-04:00Oh man..I can so relate! I work in front of a comp...Oh man..I can so relate! I work in front of a computer all day, then I get behind the wheel of my car, and then I come and work in front of my sewing machine. All day long, it's a struggle NOT to slouch! And when I've been hunching all day, it hurts to try and put my shoulders back where they belong. Having better posture would be better in so many ways, besides just looking thinner :)<br />I see myself in candid photos all slouchy and think, sit up straight, slacker! <br />Funny enough, wearing a dress with a corset to work was the best trick for guaranteeing perfect posture. I didn't slouch all day! I just don't see myself doing that on a regular basis though :) <br />My best tips are to make your computer/sewing machine/car as comfortable as possible for upright sitting. Like someone else said, put your monitor on a stack of books. Raise the sewing table so it's more natural. Wherever you find yourself slouching, try and improve it so you're less likely to slump. <br />Though, I like the suggestion of taking up dancing, fun!Tasiahttp://sewaholic.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45342409289434046712010-06-11T15:07:55.340-04:002010-06-11T15:07:55.340-04:00Actually, hours of Pilates, yoga, ballet ... all g...Actually, hours of Pilates, yoga, ballet ... all good ideas! My teachers emphasize posture so much during class that it does stay with me throughout the rest of the day.<br /><br />And who cares if slouching comes in and out of style. I'll stick with nice elegant posture ;)<br /><br />[only women of a certain age can get away with slouching to look cool - ie young women]a little sewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18086285440873869055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-13056187971462513872010-06-11T14:38:04.467-04:002010-06-11T14:38:04.467-04:00I've found that yes, yoga helps, but also ridi...I've found that yes, yoga helps, but also riding public transportation. When sitting I'll spy a cute guy and realize I'm slouching and must look horrible so I straighten up. (I also do this when I feel frumpy and another woman who is dressed well goes past.) When standing I have to stand up straight to avoid pinging about the train or bus.aechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17393750184966172685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-59464600421945585672010-06-11T14:31:17.335-04:002010-06-11T14:31:17.335-04:00I play piano for a living, so I'm pretty much ...I play piano for a living, so I'm pretty much always conscious of my posture. Actually, I have to do an "erect posture" alteration on many patterns, because I have to remove the curve they add for slumped posture!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-33310064833068778012010-06-11T14:20:02.621-04:002010-06-11T14:20:02.621-04:00Wow there are some fantastic comments here!
I mus...Wow there are some fantastic comments here!<br /><br />I must confess, I started slouching as soon as I grew boobs - too much unwanted attention. Add years of computer work and birthing some giant babies and I'm about 2 inches shorter, I'm sure. There are some great tips here on how I can go about fixing it, so thanks!CJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-4580283765023061872010-06-11T13:59:53.711-04:002010-06-11T13:59:53.711-04:00I started taking ballet lessons when I was 4 and h...I started taking ballet lessons when I was 4 and have been dancing in one way or another pretty much ever since. (Actually I've slacked off the past couple of years and have headache problems now, which should tell me something!) I think any form of movement that help your body awareness is good!Pattern Junkiehttp://patternjunkie.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-54526935073604232352010-06-11T13:45:45.661-04:002010-06-11T13:45:45.661-04:00Like Nancy, I am quite tall. I'm being forced ...Like Nancy, I am quite tall. I'm being forced into better posture with physical therapy due to some back problems, but here's the part that will entertain all of you: I'm finding I can't hear the conversation "down there"! Seriously, my slouching in middle age appears to have been related to my declining hearing abilities. Funny, eh? <br /><br />So the thing I've learned about good posture is that if you're doing it to look a certain way, you're most likely doing it wrong (i.e., throw your shoulders back!) It shouldn't hurt(like purplesews said), it should feel better. Create space between your hip bones and your rib cage without raising your shoulders. Relax your shoulders and lift your rib cage (don't exaggerate this, just feel it). I've regained an inch this year, not that I needed it. But much less pain. Also, some strength in the upper body (arms and shoulders) actually makes all of this easier (apologies to Michael, this is just my experience).Lizzynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-60372673941859332262010-06-11T13:23:36.808-04:002010-06-11T13:23:36.808-04:00I'm quite tall and by 4-6th grade I probably r...I'm quite tall and by 4-6th grade I probably reached my current height of 6'2". Needless to say, I've spent my life slouching because it was always ingrained in me that it was bad to be tall or at least it got you made fun of or stared at. It's only in my mid 20s that I've started to attempt correcting my posture. I think wanting to look better externally (in this case posture-wise) comes from internal improvements on self-esteem and wanting to project that. It's funny, I am so unused to proper posture so that doing so completely changes my state of mind. This may sound funny but I might even liken it to the excited elegance a little girl feels when she dresses up like someone older and more glamorous.Nancyhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/thingsfoundnoreply@blogger.com