The Gryphon Gazette: Recent Episodes
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By Sarina D. ’19
Each new decade in American history brings about renewed hope for political reform, a sense of nostalgia for the sentiment of the previous decade, and, of course, new fashion! Just as music is divided into eras(Romantic, Baroque etc.), fashion is divided into decades. As such, each decade in America’s history can be defined and understood through its trendy leg warmers or tie-die, and likewise the fashion of each new ten years of our society reflects and encapsulates their respective political, civic, and social spheres. Fashion trends accentuate class lines, unveil racial tensions, and serve as a forum of our expression or rebellion against the established norm. After all, opposition to the Vietnam war and hippie trends happening at the same time wasn’t a coincidence.
So, as we look back upon our constantly evolving fashion from the 1900s to today, it’s important to reflect on the best and the most memorable of each decade, but also the most cringe-worthy. Sometimes the most appalling trends help us best understand what people were thinking and feeling hundreds of years before us. So let’s get into it!
1900s-Corsets
If you’ve taken a history class here at Crystal, you probably grimace at the word corset today. Corsets were essentially a tight, elongated bodice that you wore underneath your other elaborate and immensely uncomfortable clothing. But corsets gave uncomfortable a whole new meaning. I mean, after hearing about this, you will likely ever complain about Brandy Melville’s fraudulent “one size fits all” again. Corsets were so tight and stiff that they frequently caused internal organ damage and broken ribs, and took women hours to get dressed. For this reason, getting dressed up for events- or even for daily life- was an activity in itself for women. Let’s just say the idea of comfort over appearance did not stick in the 1900s.
1910s-Edwardian Hats
Just as Corsets were beginning to fade, Edwardian hats made their way onto the national stage. A relic of the Titanic era, Edwardian hats were feathered disasters that looked like a cross of a peacock and a sombrero. Luckily, today you will probably only see them on “Downton Abbey”.
1920s-Smoking Jackets
But don’t worry, horrific fashion trends were not exclusive to women! The 1920s brought about a new symbol of elegant leisure for gentlemen- the smoking jacket. The smoking jacket was, in reality, a glorified bathrobe designed to hold watches on chains. They were made of velvet and saturated with cigarette smoke, as this was supposed to separate upper class men from their working class counterparts and indicate that their wealth allowed them to enjoy a good smoke and leisure.
1930s-T Strap Shoes and Heeled Oxfords
You might know this as the “vintage Taylor Swift shoe”, but T-Strap heels made their way into the public eye long before “You Belong With Me” hit YouTube. This footwear may have looked comfortable, but in reality it squeezed the foot tightly in every possible way, and resembled the offspring of a Jimmy Choo shoe and a Croc.
1940s: Zoot Suits
Now, there is nothing wrong with this look in appearance(well, except for the bagginess, the padded shoulders, and inability to fit most of the people that wore them). But it should be noted that Zoot suits were fully loading with racial stereotyping against the young Black and Latino men who wear them in Harlem and Los Angeles in the 1940s. We are glad they left the national stage alongside FDR.
1950s: Poodle Skirts
I love a good poodle skirt as much as the next girl, but more as a cute 4th grade Halloween costume rather than a wear out for a night on the town kind of thing. The 50s had some great looks, but among them came the “let’s look like animals or put animals in our clothing trend.” We all love poodles, but why did they need to go on pink puffy skirts.
1960s: Futuristic Fashion
We are all thanking the fashion gods that this did not actually become the fashion of the future. These metallic skin-tight pants and matching belts and hats are best restricted to the Seniors’ outer space costumes.
1970s: Jumpsuits for Men and Safety Pin Face Jewelry
Now, for a brief time in our history, men wore full-length tuxedo onesies that resemble embellished wetsuits. They came with frills. They were purple and brown and even skin colored. Unfortunately they still haunt us today come theme-parties and Halloween. I myself had the pleasure of seeing my dad sport an all-white jumpsuit and matching Lennon sunglasses.
1980s: Leg Warmers
Don’t our legs get warmer when we work out, not colder? Still not sure. I got to admit though, they really did give those 80s exercise videos a little bit of flavor.
1990s: Blossom Hats
Not sure which tween celebrity made these cools, but since when did sunflowers become accessory essentials?
2000s: The Velour Tracksuit
This one I relate to too much. Everyone and their mother had a tracksuit with a cami underneath it back it the 2000s. And you were especially cool if yours said “JUICY” across the back. I totally get the appeal to comfort, but did track suits really have to be velvet? Did they really have to have fur in the hoods? And did they really have to be bright blue?( @Britney Spears). In elementary school I remember rotating my Old Navy velvet track suits and feeling especially cool when I stole my older sister’s bright pink one.
Did we miss any fashion faux paus? Let us know in the comments below!
By: Wilson C. (’20)
https://csusgryphongazette.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/james-kaplan-interview.m4a
The bell rings on Friday afternoon and students have survived another week at Crystal Springs Uplands School. Students eagerly pack up before the teachers have even finished their sentences and pour out of the mansion and the Uplands building. For almost all high schoolers, last Friday afternoon signified the end of a long week on campus, and the start of two and a half days of relaxation, spending time with family and friends, and procrastinating on major assessments. However, a brave few take the field each Friday to put themselves through hardship in the pursuit of victory.
The football team following the 66-12 Homecoming vs. Priory. (Left to right: So. Charlie B., Sr. Jonathan T., Fr. Joe M., Coach Mario Caprini, Jr. Owen D., Fr. Vikas B., So. Zach S., So. Max G., Jr. Cameron B., Fr. Jon S., So. Nico Fleming, So. Peter D., Fr. Colm M., Coach Brian, So. Andrew S., Sr. James K., Coach Michael Codianne).
Unfortunately for the Crystal Springs football team, that victory does not come very often. They have yet to win this season, and their only victory last season was an epic comeback at Homecoming led by Quarterback Matt Mizota. One could be quick to pin the lack of success on the players or coaching staff, but football actually seems to be one of the more determined teams on campus.
Senior James K. (5) evades the pass rush and looks downfield for a receiver.
Football is a sport known for physically-grueling practices, and team members push themselves hard day-after-day in order to improve. Although this hard work doesn’t seem to be turning into victories for the team right now, senior WR James K. said one thing that the team has done well this year is “maintaining a positive spirit and maintaining [their] confidence.” Although one may point to the lack of upperclassmen on the team as a reason for concern for participation in the future, James said the future is “definitely” looking brighter for the football team. When asked about the Sophomores, he said “You can tell that they have gotten a lot better and that they have put in some hard work over the summer and during the season… because we’re such a Sophomore heavy team you can really see that they are taking leadership positions.” He added, “Sophomores like Zach are helping guys stay on track in practice.”
The growth and commitment of Sophomores should be a sign of better things to come for Gryphon football in the future. However, there are also changes that could be made in order to improve the team, starting with James’ thoughts on the “lack of numbers”. He pointed out that the team started the season with only fourteen players, eleven less than the smallest team they have played this year. This does not bode well for the team, considering that everyone must be a two-way player and spend a considerable amount of time on the field each game compared to opposing players, who can be rotated in and out with ease. The lack of numbers should become less of an issue as the high school expands over the next few years, but the lack of participation indicates that the athletic culture at Crystal Springs is not yet where it needs to be. The goal, one day, is to have participation like Trinity Christian (Monterey) who trounced Crystal 64-12 on September 29. Kaplan pointed out, that although only 56 boys attend the high school, they have 64% participation. This is monstrous compared to Crystal’s measly 13%. Ultimately, it comes down to students being willing to step up and accept the challenge of starting out from the bottom as an underdog. One day, I am sure that Crystal Springs will make it to the top, but it won’t happen overnight.