|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 171
member
|
member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 171 |
"It's very, very common on the west coast, quite literally ALWAYS used in a pejorative (or at least mockingly pejorative) sense, and almost always used in conjunction with "all", ie "all gussied up".
My experience, as well. Raised on the west coast (California), and heard it all my life, in the context you gave.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,289
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,289 |
Helen, a tip of my hat to you. I have always associated 'gussied up' with 'gusset'. A gusset may be used for other purposes than in clothing. It may be quite a large piece used to extend or widen something; e.g., theatrical scenery.
What comes to my mind when I hear the term is those incredible Victorian ladies' dresses with the rows of ruching, flouncing, darts and -- here it comes -- let-in panels, or gussets.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
in the late 1960's, there was a simplicity patttern that had gussets at the waist, of a semi fitted dress.. the suggestion was for a light main color, and a dark constrasting color.. the waist gussets were diamond shaped, and pointed in.. something like this. | |
|\ /|
|/ \|
| |
sort of shape at the waist, with the side panels in a dark color..
it whittled inches off the waist visually!
Most commonly, i have seen (and used gussets) in the underarm area, to give a neat underarm in a dolman or cap sleeve.
I never thought about them in theatrical scenery!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
Haven't heard the term used for years but it was common in the 1950s. Sometimes used in a self-deprecatory way -
"I got myself all gussied up for the party and my date never showed up."
"All gussied up and no place to go!"
Here's a related (?) term - godet. A bias-cut piece of material - triangular in shape - inserted in a dress.
I had an evening gown of lace that had layered godets of "illusion" (very fine, thin and transparent kind of tulle) from just below the knees to the floor. It gave a full and feminine effect to the gown. Very pretty and it had a lovely flowing movement when I walked!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
layered godets of "illusion" (very fine, thin and transparent
Ah, doubtless the origin of Weighting for Godet ;)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Gro-an--n--n... 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788 |
"Nobody could love a freak like Gussie except a similar freak like the Bassett. The shot wasn't on the board. A splendid chap, of course, in many ways -- courteous, amiable, and just the fellow to tell you what to do till the doctor came, if you had a sick newt on your hands -- but quite obviously not of Mendelssohn's March timbre. I have no doubt that you could have flung bricks by the hour in England's most densely-populated districts without endangering the safety of a single girl capable of becoming Mrs Augustus Fink-Nottle without anaesthetic."
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,915
Posts229,919
Members9,197
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
743
guests, and
3
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
