Glossary entry

Italian term or phrase:

vaporosi

English translation:

floaty

Added to glossary by Sarah Jane Webb
Nov 15, 2010 17:01
13 yrs ago
4 viewers *
Italian term

vaporosi

Italian to English Art/Literary Textiles / Clothing / Fashion 1920s-1930s female fashion
"È divertente anche ripercorrere l’epoca di quei viaggi attraverso vestiti e cappelli dei viaggiatori. ... ma gli abiti estivi di Marieda e delle sue amiche meritano una citazione. Sono leggeri, **vaporosi**, ma assolutamente “costumati”, coprono di solito le gambe ... "
It is a "companion guide" to a collection of amateur 1020s-30s holiday snaps.
The dictionary gives "filmy" for "clothes" and "voluminous" for hair but I prefer "voluminous", "filmy" I found horrible.
Are there any fashion experts out there who can come to my aid? Is there a standard and specific translation for this, or am I allowed poetic licence? All help welcome, Jim.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +5 gauzy
5 +1 flowy
4 +2 floaty
4 diaphanous
3 +1 fluffy
3 evanescent/airy
Change log

Nov 29, 2010 08:16: Sarah Jane Webb Created KOG entry

Discussion

James (Jim) Davis (asker) Nov 15, 2010:
@Everybody A big thank you for all the suggestions. What I really wanted to know first of all was whether "vaporoso" was a specific fashion term with a one-to-one translation. Clearly it isn't.
Now of course, I need to see the photos to see which of your posts to choose.
James (Jim) Davis (asker) Nov 15, 2010:
@Phil Makes me think of cellophane and/or they would be clothes, which you would see in films or want to film.
philgoddard Nov 15, 2010:
I don't think your dictionary's suggestion of "voluminous" works here (because that could mean heavy), but why don't you like "filmy"?

Proposed translations

+5
3 mins
Selected

gauzy

fine gauzy gowns

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Note added at 16 mins (2010-11-15 17:17:32 GMT)
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Hi Jim, other solutions (apart from your 'filmy') could be flimsy, floaty, insubstantial, gossamer, vaporous, and of course Phil's 'diaphanous'

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Note added at 20 mins (2010-11-15 17:21:40 GMT)
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how about wispy?
Floating wispy gowns sway in the monsoon breeze of Ayesha Farooq HashwaniOs creations. Intricately embroidered motifs are set in gauzy ...
she9.blogspot.com/2010/.../casual-dresses-for-fancy-parties-dress.html

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Note added at 21 mins (2010-11-15 17:23:29 GMT)
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Red dress features a wispy semi sheer top layer of fabric which creates a beautiful flow to the fabric and skirt of this festive dress. ...
www.gioiaofitalyfashions.com/wiredhocodrs.html
Note from asker:
I wondered if you were "out there" :) Hi Sarah. I'll wait a while. Unfortunately I don't have the photos.
Great so basically I have poetic licence. There is no specific term. I'll have to see the photos, but I can't really imagine a "seductive" Marieda, most photos I've seen seem to be in tennis togs.
Peer comment(s):

agree Juliet Halewood (X) : floaty immediately came to mind
41 mins
thanks Juliet :-)
agree Ernestine Shargool : Floaty for me too: You can read and see pics here (scroll down to bottom): http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1311666/The-Christ...
1 hr
thanks Ernestine
agree Simo Blom
2 hrs
grazie Simo
agree Rachel Fell : floaty
18 hrs
thanks Rachel
agree Joanna M Cas (X) : apologies - genuinely hadn't seen it here when I made my entry!
18 hrs
thanks Joanna -- no problem!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
9 mins

diaphanous

Here's another possibility.
Something went wrong...
+1
15 mins

fluffy

fluffy
...
2. Light and airy; soft
http://www.answers.com/fluffy
Peer comment(s):

agree potra : yes
3 hrs
Thank you, potra
Something went wrong...
20 mins

evanescent/airy


http://www.thefreedictionary.com/evanescent

Air
This evanescent dress lined with silk organza explores the notion of transparency, light and shade, thanks to the juxtaposition of an opaque black corset and a wide white skirt. Scintillating threads inserted into the fabric of the skirt accentuate reflections and create celestial, airy effects.
http://www.egodesign.ca/en/actualite_details.php?actualite_i...

Something went wrong...
+1
1 hr

flowy

the world of fashion uses this term to indicate the way the fabric "moves" down the runway (when worn), it "flows"

google "flowing fabric" (1,800.000 results), flowy dress

I'd translate

"they are light, free-flowing, yet utterly/perfectly tailored"

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Note added at 3 hrs (2010-11-15 20:41:27 GMT)
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Nov 23, 2008 ... Paris Hilton looked classy in an eye-catching dress as she posed at an LA bar opening in the wake of her split with rocker Benji Madden.
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Benji-Newly-single-Paris-Hilton-hit...

NICOLE RICHIE FASHION: Nicole wearing a flowing dressAug 14, 2007 ... Nicole is wearing Christian Louboutin wooden wedges, a grey flowing dress, Mason by Michelle Mason, Chanel sunnies and her Givenchy ...
nicolerichiefashion.blogspot.com/.../nicole-wearing-flowing-dress.html - Cached
Flowing Dress - The Hollywood GossipMar 8, 2010 ... Jennifer Hudson shows off her dress at the 2010 Vanity Fair party. It's held every year after the Academy Awards.
www.thehollywoodgossip.com/gallery/flowing-dress/ - Cached
Flowy Beach Wedding Dress - LoveToKnow WeddingsHeat/Temperature: If your wedding will take place in an area with warm temperatures, a slightly looser or flowing dress will make the heat much more ...
weddings.lovetoknow.com › ... › Weddings › Wedding Dresses - Cached - Similar

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Note added at 3 hrs (2010-11-15 20:45:22 GMT)
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Ghost - Fashion Designer Encyclopedia - clothing, women, shoes ...Orlean, Susan, "The Talk of the Town: Fashion Designers Uptown and Downtown ... The company's signature use of flowing fabric, with its softly crinkled look ...
www.fashionencyclopedia.com › Fr-Gu - Cached - Similar
Society Notebook: Walking the 'walk | The Portland Press Herald ...Apr 25, 2010 ... For painter and fashion designer Barbara Corey, drapey, flowing fabric is what catches her eye. She showed three pieces on the runway that ...
www.pressherald.com/life/.../walking-the-walk_2010-04-25.ht... - Cached
Peer comment(s):

agree Simo Blom
1 hr
Thanks Simo
Something went wrong...
+2
4 hrs

floaty

This is what immediately came to mind - and without looking at any of the other suggestions. Google 'floaty dress' or 'floaty blouse' and you get a lot of hits, including with refs to the 1920s if you include it, and it's certainly an expression I've used and heard plenty of times in the past.

I think this is what they're getting at with their 'vaporosi' - I don't thing 'gallegiare' can work/would work in the same way..... hence the use of vapour. And if you think about a floaty sleeve or hem - it can in fact look a bit like a vapour........
Peer comment(s):

agree Rachel Fell : came to mine too, though Sarah Jane's mentioned it too.
14 hrs
agree Sarah Jane Webb
14 hrs
Something went wrong...
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