Ah Bartleby! Ah Novel-T!*

High fashion it is not, but I was amused by one of the new Word Series t-shirts from Novel-T . . .

This one from Herman Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener”:

Remember Bartleby? He was the human photocopier who worked on Wall Street and asserted himself by “preferring not” to do any more work.

(Crispin Glover plays a postmodern version of the character in Bartleby, an odd little film from 2000 that out-Offices “The Office.”)

And this is a recent mixed-media interpretation of Bartleby from Diary of a Lost Girl:

Would you wear one? Or would you prefer not to?

*(Instead of “Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity!” [the final lines of the story].)

Proud as a (Liberty) Peacock

I adore Liberty of London prints, but tend to prefer them on bags (the store has lovely wash bags) or quilts (which I make) or bunting (which looks pretty on a fireplace) instead of on clothing.

Why? The shirt styles that Liberty sells are rather conservative, and though I do have a summery one, it needs to be funked up a bit before wearing. Further, the prints do code as sweet, and while sweet works nicely in summer, I like something tougher for fall and winter.

So I was delighted to rediscover Nadinoo’s blog and boutique, in which she designs and makes beautiful shirts and dresses (and more!) from Liberty fabrics, both sweet and edgy.

Edgy, you say? Liberty?

I think that the peacock print above is a wonderfully sharp, deco-inspired reimagining of Liberty’s classic peacock fabric. In fact, I have used it in bunting and now I’m looking forward to receiving the above shirt as a cadeau de Noel.

How to style it? I’m not a big tucker-in, so I’m thinking of a super skinny gold belt, for prettiness, or a super skinny studded leather belt, for edginess.

And yes, I’d absolutely wear that headpiece, if I could make/find one!


Re: the rediscovery: I originally found Nadinoo through Wee Birdy, some months ago, and rediscovered her the other week through A Cup of Jo.

Fashion and Feminism: A Style Interview with Jessica Valenti

Jessica Valenti is the founder of the blog Feministing and the author of three books, including Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman’s Guide to Why Feminism Matters (2007). Representing the fourth wave of feminists, Valenti speaks to young women through her blog, books, and college visits, in language that is both accessible and hip, as she demonstrates that feminism should not be relegated to the days of yore (um, the 1950s through the 1970s).

We bonded over that common cause, decent Italian food, and heels (the kind that you wear). I’m delighted that Jessica was willing to have a chat about the intersection of fashion and feminism, which are, to some minds, antithetical, but equally threatening F words.

Miss Cavendish: How is fashion a feminist issue?

Jessica Valenti: Well if the personal is political, then I certainly think the very personal expression of fashion certainly has to do with feminism! Not only is fashion a feminist issue because of the often-disappointing sexism of the fashion industry—but also because the way that women express themselves through fashion can be used almost as a cultural marker. (I'm thinking the 80s women-get-to-work shoulder pads and the riot grrl stylings of the early 90s.)

MC: A familiar catch phrase used to be “I’m not a feminist, but . . . I want equal pay for equal work.” Now I hear this: “I’m a feminist, but . . . I like to wear high heels.” What do you think is the perceived inappropriateness about “I’m a feminist and I like to wear high heels”?

JV: I think the idea is that heels are an evil tool of the patriarchy or something. (Though, this morning as my feet are killing me, a night after wearing some serious heels to a book event for the Nation—I'm inclined to agree!)

It's unfortunate that we keep putting all of these caveats on feminism—like you can't be a feminist if you wear mascara or heels. Of course you can! What other social justice movement polices the fashion of its activists? I understand the criticism that certain fashion choices are tied to sexism—but so are the majority of the things we do in the world, sadly.

We all have to negotiate our way through a world that's not too fond of women and we all decide what's most important to us. And I say if big tall heels are your thing—so be it! I certainly couldn't do without them.

MC: When you and a number of other bloggers met President Bill Clinton and all posed for a photo with him, one online (female) commentator critiqued not only the clothes you were wearing but your posture as being overtly sexy. How was she attempting to “read” the photo and could you reflect on both her analysis of the photo as well as her desire to engage in such analysis in the first place?

JV: Ah yes, kind of unbelievable that three books and five years of blogging later one of the first things that comes up in a Google search of my name is 'jessica valenti breasts' because of this blogger's insistence that I was wearing a deliberately too-tight top. (Judge for yourself, I say it's pretty innocuous! http://www.flickr.com/photos/93947321@N00/243422784/)

I believe this blogger didn't really think much of the photo—but was using the internet's love of anything having to do with women's breasts as a way to drive traffic and cause a controversy. I think the real issue was that we're not used to seeing young women, especially young women who look a certain way, in meetings with powerful people without assuming that something sexual is going on.

I thought of this whole faux-controversy as a reminder to all young women really, that we're there to be looked at and judged. And even if you're successful enough to be invited to a meeting with a former President, your real value is being fodder for tacky sex and intern jokes.

MC: In your recent book The Purity Myth (2009), you argue that girls are given conflicting messages about how to behave as sexual beings. How are those messages delivered via girls’ choice of clothing?

JV: Young women—even girls—are being taught that in order to be desirable they have to dress a certain way (generally pretty sexified). But if they do dress that way, then they're told that they're sluts or being too revealing. There really is no winning. I feel lucky that when I was growing up the trend was baggy pants and the like—I didn't have to deal with any of this nonsense!

MC: If you were designing the t-shirt that says “This is what a feminist looks like,” how would you style it?

JV: Wow, great question! I would take the postmodern route, have it say nothing, and let the awesome woman behind it embody the message herself. ;)

MC: And finally, what do you wear when you present in public? When you write at home?

JV: When I present in public, I generally wear a wrap dress (I have two faves, one from Theory and one from DVF) and heels.

At home, however, is another story. For a long time, I was a hot mess in sweatpants and dirty t-shirts—it's just so easy when you work from home! But I really do notice a difference when I actually dress like a normal human being in terms of how much better I do my work. So now I'm sporting lots of comfortable jeans and casual—but still fashionable enough to be seen out of the house in—shirts. And slippers. Sorry, that's one thing I can't give up!

MC: Jessica, thank you so much for this chat and for helping to demystify the relationship between fashion and feminism.

Queenie's Thanksgiving

Although I am fussy about wine—nothing sweet, please!—I do not do any research before choosing a bottle.

This Thanksgiving's visit to the wine shop was no exception. I knew that I wanted white wine and resorted to an age-old selection process: I chose the prettiest label.

Nothing with surfboards, dogs, or maisons (although I did have a fantastic surfboard wine in Canada this summer)—just flowers and pretty, elegant script.

And, happily, the wine was just what I had wanted.

As for Queenie, my 110-pound golden retriever, the après-meal turkey remnants, double-wrapped, secured within a third larger bag, (trustingly) positioned by the door until a break in the rain, were just what she had wanted too.

She’d been waiting five years for this opportunity, and made the most of it while her foolhardy humans settled in for a post-pumpkin pie chat.

I think I’d better pour another glass of wine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cookbook Chic

It’s rare these days that a book cover fills me with delight, but whenever I saw this Rizzoli recipe book, La Cucina, I was smitten.

And as many of us (in the United States) are contemplating a day of cooking and baking, what better time to ponder a pretty book of recipes?

I’m looking forward to making a pumpkin pie tomorrow; my favorite recipe is from my ancient (1980s) but trusty Silver Palate cookbook. And I love Sheila Lukins' charming illustrations throughout as well . . .



Hope all gentle readers near and far are enjoying a week of culinary delights, whether you’re preparing for Thanksgiving, reaching into your own pantry, or ordering takeout!

Fingertip Length: The New Chic?

I’ve been on a bit of a J Crew kick for basics lately, which surprises noone more than me, because I’m usually highly suspicious of anything I buy from the Crew that doesn’t have the word “shorts” in its description.

And indeed, yesterday, as I was putting on my elaborately beaded t-shirt, I heard a tell-tale tinkle followed by a roll as one bead fell off the (annoyingly untied thread) and nestled under my bed. But no matter: I can easily sew it back on, and more securely too.

Today I had another adventure: I was looking forward to wearing a just-arrived navy-and white scoop-neck, long-sleeve, fitted tissue tee, but when I put it on, the sleeves reached my fingertips(!!!) and the bottom third of the tee had to be scrunchedscrunchedscrunched so that it did not reach my knees (I exaggerate only slightly). And who wants tiny rolls upon rolls of fabric at one’s midsection?



In this image, there is no fingertip-length sleeve. And neither is there any scrunching here, unless it is masterfully concealed by the model's hand. (Did I mention that you can see her hands?!)

Quality control aside though, what is up (or down) with fingertip length? I saw a chic young woman wearing this look only two days ago and, I must say, as someone who always pushes up her sleeves, I do not appreciate even more fabric to deal with.

Are extra-long sleeves the new fingertip-less gloves? Do any gentle readers sport this look?

Miss Cavendish in Selvedge Magazine

I'm delighted to share an early peek at my article in the November/December issue of Selvedge, the London-based textiles magazine.


I wrote an introductory piece to Selvedge's Handmade Holidays section and have posted images of the pages from my online subscribers' edition (I couldn't wait till mid-December for my bookstore to stock its shelves with the print version!).

My piece is a cultural exploration of the DIY movement, with, I hope, a dash of wit. The print below won't be legible, so do take a look for Selvedge on the style racks. It should be arriving in a couple of weeks!