Salon fashion history takes us back far enough to be reliant on paintings for ‘fit checks.
Salon Fashion From Past to Present
You can read all about the history of salons and see paintings going back to the earliest recorded instance of female hosts holding salons in Renaissance-era Italy, or learn about the hostess who made salons all the rage in France a few decades later.
But we prefer to jump to the advent of the photograph and all the salon fashion-grandeur its been able to capture beginning in the early part of the 20th century.
Some of Europe’s not gender-conforming hosts had the hottest looks during the 1920s.
Famous French hostesses like Natalie Clifford Barney along with Gertrude Stein and her partner Alice B. Tolkas totally ignored the gendered, heteronormative standards of the day and forged their own style.
Artists from Hemingway to Picasso attended salons in this living room…
The Great Depression put a damper on salon culture, but it was only a matter of time before they came back, first in WWII-era Hollywood.
Old Hollywood starlet looks like Great Garbo, who was a regular at hostess and screenwriter Salka Viertel’s salons in LA, brought in a heightened wave of glamour.
Then the Beatnik era brought its own hipster fashion to the salon scene.
Salons through the ’50s and ’60s ushered in more casual looks.
But during the next and most recent phase of salon resurgence, spearheaded by none other than TSH founder Susan MacTavish Best, high-fashion has made a comeback.
While fancy dress isn’t what makes a salon…
Dressing up certainly makes salons more fun.
And your outfit is your opener when it comes to striking up new conversations.
What do you want to say?
As long as you’re being your true self with whatever you choose to wear…
it’s going to land! But don’t be afraid to be bold or outside-the-box, salons are where bold, outside-the-box conversations happen so why not have an outfit to invite such interactions?
What’s that old saying?
Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.
Dress for the conversations you want, not the same old small-talk you’ve been having.
Big ideas go best with big looks.
And a killer outfit is a major confidence boost.
So whatever your style is, when it comes to salon season, lean in!
And get your friends in on it.
For all you aspiring salon hosts out there,
don’t forget the host sets the tone for the entire event. So if you’re hoping your guests will bring their best looks, then you’d better bring yours!
Need more inspo?
If in doubt, you can always bust out a timeless classic.
For example!
Speaking of classic, don’t forget a dash of red lipstick can dress any look up instantly.
So go forth in all your fabulousness!
