“Hot Weather Fashions Number” by Helen Dryden

Here we go again…let’s make an outfit from this art inspiration!

Style Imitating Art

Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, and Marsha of Marsha in the Middle, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw fashion inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as presenter, selects an inspiration image that will be shared by all three of us on our blogs. The following Monday, each host will share her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the presenter by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the presenter will share all of the submissions on her blog.

You don’t have to be a blogger to join either! In fact, you don’t even have to join but you can still use the art to inspire an outfit just for the sake of trying something different. If you want to share your inspired outfit, we invite you do so on Instagram or any other social media platform that you prefer. Just be sure to tag Salazar, Shelbee, or Marsha or use #StyleImitatingArt so the hosts know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!

This Week’s Presenter

Salazar chose this week’s art inspiration because it’s a very summery and colorful piece appropriate for these dog days of summer.

The Artwork

This illustration by American artist Helen Dryden graced the cover of Vogue magazine on July 1, 1919. Below is the original artwork in watercolor, gouache, and pencil on a Whatman’s watercolour sketching board that was transferred to the glossy magazine cover. If you have an extra $63,000 to spend right now, you can own the original illustration! The Vogue cover is formally titled “Hot Weather Fashions Number” but the specific illustration itself is famously known as “How the Wind Blows”.

*Watercolor, gouache, and pencil on board, 1919*

This lady is dressed how I probably would have dressed if I were living in 1919! I already have my outfit put together for this one. I just need to photograph it and then wait a week to share it.

If you would like to join us with your own outfit inspired by this fun Vogue cover and have it featured in Salazar’s review post on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, please be sure to send your photos to 14shadesofgreyblog@gmail.com by 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Until then, happy styling!

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee