The Artists Mock

I have owned this grey Veronika Maine top for years, and have loved it. It’s always reminded me of the traditional artist’s smock with its floppy sleeves and bow on the neckline. Unfortunately there are a couple of small stains on the front, created when I put it on one morning too soon after applying body lotion – nothing I have done has succeeded in removing them from the cupro material (a cellulose fibre made from recovered cotton waste).

Each time I go to cast it from my wardrobe though, I can’t bear to part with it. Probably it is in such condition now that it would be suitable to actually use as an artist’s smock!

Artist wearing smock: Franck-François-Genès Chauvassaignes (French, 1831–after 1900)

Here you’ll find a couple of examples of the artist’s smock, from the traditional to the fashionable. In fact, I own a somewhat similar white and black polka-dotted blouse with little puffed sleeves – you can see a little bit of it here. I do love Balenciaga’s designs from the 50s and 60s. Might be time for a Gordon Parks homage.

Polka dotted smock top over black skirt by Balenciaga, ph Gordon Parks, LIFE magazine March 1951