Fashion is a strange beast. My mom can recall a time when hemlines were dictated, and needles + thread came out in homes around the globe each season. Two interesting points jump out at me in that statement. #1: There was a particular style + if it was not followed, the wearer could be deemed out of fashion. #2: A new hemline did not equal a new skirt. There was a commitment to the pieces in one's closet.
Today one can wear skinny jeans or flares...a pencil skirt or a swingy one...style is quite individual + objective. (I guess I'm not talking about middle school here.) :) It's fun to express ourselves with our clothing + to leave those ideas of what is "in style" + what is "out" behind. One can feel earthy one day + tough the next...and portray each with his or her clothing. There is so much to love about this liberation. I do think that fast fashion has something to do with it, however. This week the collection may be all black + white + shiny + mod. Next week it could be pastel florals + sheer + flowy. They have to keep their customers buying week upon week. Attachment to a look or a piece is never formed. It's all disposable...because it's cheap + it doesn't need to last...because there is always something new (+ cheap) to buy.
What I've been experiencing lately is that I've apparently lived long enough in this fast paced style changing world to have worn most of what is coming out before. I've worn non-stretch denim + I know that it is not comfortable after a big meal...or during a certain time of the month. I've worn joggers + know that I don't like the bubble knees that form after a bit of sitting. Strapless dresses involve constant attention + adjusting. It's hard to layer a sweater or coat over dolman sleeves. Synthetic sweaters make me sweaty + my hair full of static electricity.
I've been thinking about my twin (incompatible) desires: a simple wardrobe consisting of basic seasonal uniforms...and a wardrobe full of pieces that allow for a variety of looks + keeps me from getting bored. I'm questioning my entire relationship with fashion. Have I come to a point where I'm moving toward seeing clothing as more functional than fun? Does variety + personality come only from my clothing? Obviously not...but is there a little room for finding some variety + personality in my small wardrobe?
I have worn quite a variety of styles over the years. A new silhouette invigorates me...but I'm not sure how many more options fashion has to offer.
I've narrowed down the styles that I truly love to quite a small list of pieces. It's sort of weird for me to realize that one of the most ubiquitous pieces of clothing...the t-shirt...does not serve me well where I live. Probably 95% of the time it is either cold enough to wear a cashmere sweater or hot enough to prefer a tank top. When I put a t-shirt on, I most often find myself wearing a sweater over it or sweating. Desiring a small wardrobe makes me look at each of my pieces with that sort of intensely critical eye. If I only have x number of tops, I need each one to serve me more than a few days per year.
I've been making a list of my personal basics. Looking at this list, I realize that these pieces are my style. The combination of these pieces are what feel somewhat unique to me. I am happy to wear them again + again. I always feel good in them. I feel comfortable. I don't feel like I'm wearing a costume. I feel like me.
I'm not ready to disengage from the world of fashion, because I do think of it as a creative outlet...but that's the thing...it's my creative outlet + I won't be dictated to. :)
Love,
Jane
Today one can wear skinny jeans or flares...a pencil skirt or a swingy one...style is quite individual + objective. (I guess I'm not talking about middle school here.) :) It's fun to express ourselves with our clothing + to leave those ideas of what is "in style" + what is "out" behind. One can feel earthy one day + tough the next...and portray each with his or her clothing. There is so much to love about this liberation. I do think that fast fashion has something to do with it, however. This week the collection may be all black + white + shiny + mod. Next week it could be pastel florals + sheer + flowy. They have to keep their customers buying week upon week. Attachment to a look or a piece is never formed. It's all disposable...because it's cheap + it doesn't need to last...because there is always something new (+ cheap) to buy.
What I've been experiencing lately is that I've apparently lived long enough in this fast paced style changing world to have worn most of what is coming out before. I've worn non-stretch denim + I know that it is not comfortable after a big meal...or during a certain time of the month. I've worn joggers + know that I don't like the bubble knees that form after a bit of sitting. Strapless dresses involve constant attention + adjusting. It's hard to layer a sweater or coat over dolman sleeves. Synthetic sweaters make me sweaty + my hair full of static electricity.
I've been thinking about my twin (incompatible) desires: a simple wardrobe consisting of basic seasonal uniforms...and a wardrobe full of pieces that allow for a variety of looks + keeps me from getting bored. I'm questioning my entire relationship with fashion. Have I come to a point where I'm moving toward seeing clothing as more functional than fun? Does variety + personality come only from my clothing? Obviously not...but is there a little room for finding some variety + personality in my small wardrobe?
I have worn quite a variety of styles over the years. A new silhouette invigorates me...but I'm not sure how many more options fashion has to offer.
I've narrowed down the styles that I truly love to quite a small list of pieces. It's sort of weird for me to realize that one of the most ubiquitous pieces of clothing...the t-shirt...does not serve me well where I live. Probably 95% of the time it is either cold enough to wear a cashmere sweater or hot enough to prefer a tank top. When I put a t-shirt on, I most often find myself wearing a sweater over it or sweating. Desiring a small wardrobe makes me look at each of my pieces with that sort of intensely critical eye. If I only have x number of tops, I need each one to serve me more than a few days per year.
I've been making a list of my personal basics. Looking at this list, I realize that these pieces are my style. The combination of these pieces are what feel somewhat unique to me. I am happy to wear them again + again. I always feel good in them. I feel comfortable. I don't feel like I'm wearing a costume. I feel like me.
I'm not ready to disengage from the world of fashion, because I do think of it as a creative outlet...but that's the thing...it's my creative outlet + I won't be dictated to. :)
Love,
Jane
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