A day without laughter is a day wasted.
— Charlie Chaplin
ARMSCYE (pronounced arms-eye) is not related to either bullseye or evil eye! Rather it’s from a Scottish word for a scythe, a curved, sickle shaped tool to cut down plant material. In clothing construction it refers to the cut-out for armholes. The armhole is important to a stylist when fitting a garment. Too highly cut and the bodice is too tight and uncomfortable. Too large and undergarments show and the fit is sloppy.
BUTT CAPE is not at all related to the familiar expression BUTT DIAL, describing a cell phone auto calling a number while in a back pocket (or purse). And, no, it’s not something worn to prevent butt dials! Though slightly vulgar sounding, this form of a cape is often worn to dramatic effect for dressy occasions. It refers to a cape like piece of fabric that fits around the waist and flows to mid calf or ankles. This style of cape is for the woman with a strong sense of confidence (and maybe a sense of humor)!
FURBELOW is a fashion term that sounds a bit — ok, a lot — off color. It is definitely not an indication for a major Brazilian bikini wax! Furbelow describes embellishments added especially to hems, cuffs and collars such as tassels, fringes and feathers. A fashion term as fun to know and use as it is to wear a garment embellished with furbelows!
WINKLE PICKER… The British are famous for their word concoctions to name pubs as well as everyday items. Winkle picker is one of them and refers to shoes with a long pointed toe. Long toed shoes were popular with the nobility during medieval (especially in Poland, where elongated shoe toes grew to exorbitant lengths) and Victorian times.
Rock bands in the 1950’s brought back the style and it’s still popular today, especially in high end luxury shoes.
The name comes from a tiny snail, the periwinkle, whose edible flesh must be picked out using a long needle like implement. Thus, in British parlance, periwinkle becomes a winkle and the long pointed shoe is dubbed a “winkle picker!”
So, now that you know, go have some fun with your Purely Personal style!
