Against the Grain
I have noticed that my attitude towards fashion and style is twofold. On one hand I’m extremely interested in trends and people’s style choices, but when it comes to my personal style I’m completely clueless. Nowadays fashion, especially all those trends and fashion fads, rub me the wrong way and I find myself doing the exact opposite I “should” be doing. How teenage angst of me! But don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind other people flaunting those wet look leggins, slouchy rompers and slogan tee’s – in fact, I enjoy watching folks prancing with the latest looks! I’m just not one of those peeps myself.
I have a fruitful love-hate relationship with all those dos and don’ts lists fashion folks are eagerly publishing in the beginning of every season. For example, one year ago when the explicitly graphic bob cut was declared so yesterday, I went and got one. Instead of sporting pastel or neon nails, I’m now wearing deep plum, aubergine or burgundy hues. Also, when all those flower dresses hit the streets big time, I decided to auction off mine. Tragi-comic perhaps, but I find these kind of private level demonstrations also quite self-satisfying.
I have tried to find some rationale behind my behaviour but I cannot think anything else except a desperate need to go against the grain. Perhaps I need to distinguish myself from “everyone else” by refusing to follow the latest trends? Maybe the idea of assimilating with the certain crowd scares the living jesus out of me? Funnily enough, when fashion blogs went mainstream here in Finland, my personal interests began to diverge from those of the popular blogs. In the end I was all questioning the purpose of this blog and weighing my values as a style blogger. And yes, there was a time when a slogan “fashion is for fascists” sounded pretty intelligible for me. :D
I can’t say I’m totally anti-fashion but there are definitely some issues on the field of fashion I find slightly troubling. At the moment I’m very fascinated by the idea of compulsory individuality drafted by Anne Cronin but I think I should save these ponderings for later. Must. Read. More.
Anyhoo, I would like to hear your opinions. What’s your relationship with fashion and trends? Do you systematically follow what’s hot? And how would you describe your style?
If you enjoyed this post subscribe to the FinnFlair RSS! (what's this?)
Related Articles
Sanna 21. May 2008 | Trends Style | Bookmark on: del.icio.us
Comments:
Comments closed.
I’ve been thinking the same thoughts a while ago:
http://www.iltapaiva.net/2008/05/mina-ja-muoti/
My relationship with fashion has been quite complicated too. Nowadays I’m trying to get more relaxed and not think of fashion as rules of clothing, but as inspiration. But I still hate the “do’s” and “don’ts” in fashion magazines. I think that using imperative is too powerful for these kinds of stuff, at least in Finnish language.
There’s still the problem of looking like everyone else, I know. I’m not comfortable with that yet.
I think I know what you are talking about. I am a huge fashion magazine junkie, but these days I find myself buying mostly Italian mags because they seem to be not-so-on-the-consumer-trend. I think in the past couple of years I have transformed from being a curious trend-watcher & -elaborator into someone who finds being a “visual person” more interesting. It is about self-confidence and knowing what you like. I don’t know if this makes any sense… basically I am trying to say that I don’t want to be overly influenced by anything that’s already been analysed, that I rather want to find my own inspiration in something that catches my eye, and go through the analysis and the meaning myself.
I definitely do not want to look “trendy”, but I am also bothered by trying very hard to look “unique” (and often that unique look is some kind of trend too, even if not a mainstream trend!)Right now I’m actually tired of fashion. I kind of want to wear the same thing every day, and almost have a uniform of sorts. Wearing lots of accessories doesn’t come naturally to me either, because I’m loathe to add anything to my outfit solely on the basis of looks, and not function.I feel the same as you about the flowery dresses, I haven’t worm them at all this spring because they are everywhere, so obviously trendy, and I am sick of them. My complete sporadic disinterest in fashion also goes hand in hand with an intense working period. Then I can hardly stand any colors and patterns anywhere, except in my work.
I have noticed that eversince I started reading fashionblogs (and writing one) I have become much more aware of what is hot right now. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that I would immediately follow those trends in my way of dressing. In fact, I feel like my situation is a bit similar to yours. Inside me, there’s a little rebel that really doesn’t want to do what everyone else does. So I have intentionally skipped some trends just because I simply saw too many giant print t-shirts, wetlook leggings or flowery dresses on other fashion blogs.
I have also noticed that now that I work among fashion and I really have to deal with clothing and trends every day at work, I have begun to think whether I have the motivation to focus my interest on the same things on my spare time, too. So far my passion about fashion is intensive enough but I am not sure if it will be in three months. I could talk about these things a lot longer, but maybe I’ll save it for our little coffee date (which I by the way am planning to make happen during this summer!) instead of jamming your comment box. :D
Vastaan suomeksi koska muuten en varmasti saa sanottua asiaani oikein :)
Ensinnäkin, ihana teksti, pieni kapinahenki on aina hyvä olla, muuten kuolee luovuus.
Toisaalta väkisin vastarannankiiskeily on tylsää, tarkoittaen siis sitä että jos oikeasti rakastaisi kukkamekkoaan ja pelkästään massamuoti-ilmiön vuoksi luopuisi siitä. Sinun tekstistäsi tosin ei saanut sitä käsitystä, mutta ymmärrät varmaan mitä tarkoitan.
Itse rakastan sekaisin sekä vanhoja out of fashion -vaatteitani sekä sitä viimeisintä muotia, sekoittelen niitä sen mukaan kuin itse ihan oikeasti tykkäät, välittämättä siitä onko muotia vai ei. Seuraan itseasiassa hävettävän vähän trendejä netistä/näytöksistä jne… ostelen vaan kaupoista/kirppiksiltä sitä mikä silmää miellyttää :)
I have definitely given this issue a lot of thought and come to the conclusion that I’m thinking too much :D. I am a person who’s interested in the visual, who keeps her eyes open and yes, also gets influenced my what she sees. So even trends will have an effect on me. In fact I always like to see things that my eye isn’t used to, so when trends are fresh they can even be inspiring to me.
I don’t think being unique is my main goal. But it seems that without any special effort and conscious trend-avoiding, my style is “me” and it even stands out.
Excellent and interesting views, everybody! Your insightful comments provide proof – once again – that the notion suggesting all fashion enthusiasts are more or less headless chickens is a whopper.
Anu: I was already pondering these issues on your comment box but I might as well continue a line or two here. I couldn’t help noticing that fear of looking like everybody else seems to be quite common among our generation. Do we still hold that grunge attitude so dearly? I was introduced to mass retailer products in 1995 when Fiorella and mainstream club scene hit big in Helsinki but before that I bought almost all my clothes from second hand stores because I didn’t want to look like the Sokos kids (yea, I was doing some Sokos ads back then – I blame my friend for that). Ok, I see a nostalgia post coming…
The Waves: I totally get what you mean. I might describe myself as a visual person as well but without having remarkable practical visual talent (now does that make sense!?). I know what looks good when I see it but most of the time I’m not critically analysing my own choices. Perhaps I should finally buy that full-length mirror and stop for a second to see how do I look before storming out of the flat.
Unicorns have whiskers: Very interesting comment! Speaking of uniforms, I have also noticed that a very intense working period affects dramatically to my overall look. My spouse calls this “the stuffy writer look”. When I’m under deadline I have nothing else on my mind except my work. I can sit with my laptop four days straight without putting my make-up on, combing my hair and changing my clothes. Charming, I know.
Jenni: Perhaps working in the fashion field will change your attitude towards style and trends but that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. You don’t have to take any pressure as a blogger, just take your time and see how everything evolves. I have maintained this blog almost a year now and I still haven’t found my own voice, but I think I’m slowly getting there. Yes, I might have totally different reader base than I had when I started blogging but I’m very happy that instead of having numerous “nice dress” comments I have a few regulars whose contributions I find invaluable.
We will have that coffee-date, definitely.Lets keep in touch!
Nelliina: Hitunen kapinahenkeä luovuuden lähteenä kuulostaa ihanalta ajatukselta! Mun on kyllä tunnustettava, että juuri se kukkamekkojen valtaisa esiinmarssi sai mut katsomaan omia hepeneitäni toisin kuin aiemmin. Yhtäältä saattaa olla kyse siitä, että silmä väsyy näkemään yhtä ja samaa, mutta myönnän kyllä, että ajatus itsestä yhtenä lukuisista kukkamekkoilijoista nostatti niskakarvat pystyyn.
Sun blogissa on muuten viimeaikoina ollut aivan mahtavia tuunauksia. Osaatko muuten kiinnittää vetoketjun taka- tai sivusaumaan silleen siististi? Mulla olis nimittäin moisille ohjeille käyttöä. Vink, vink.
vasiliisa: You know, I have always thought that your look is extremely fresh. Some of your style choices are way too bold for me (those colours, remember?) but nevertheless your look is something I find refreshing and sometimes even deliciously daring. I wish I had your gut.
again, i feel like i could have written this myself, in many ways. heh.
i’d LOVE to know where i can read more about this concept of compulsory individuality by anne cronin…sounds absolutely fascinating.
Siis mä en kyennyt keskittymään tekstin lukemiseen loppuun kun jäin miettimään, että eihän toi vain vois olla Barbie paidassasi? Mikäli, niin olen hyvin, hyvin kateellinen!
tricia: Cronin’s article “Consumerism and ‘Compulsory Individuality’: Women, Will, and Potential.” is found from the book called Transformations: Thinking Through Feminism. It’s edited by Sarah Ahmed and published by Routledge.
Herttainen: Hah hah! Barbie-teepparihan siinä on. Tilasin sen aikoja sitten interwebin ihmeellisestä maailmasta. Lafka toimitti alkuperäisiä Barbie-tuotteita, mutta pikaisella googlauksella en löytänyt oikeaa firmaa. 80stees.com näyttäisi myyvän jotakin Barbie-kamaa, mutta en tiedä, ovatko ne alkuperäisiä.
I love the floral dresses this season has to offer, but I loved these dresses before they became the trend. I have always loved 30’s & 40’s inspired clothing, romantic dresses & skirts/blouses. Its nice when the fashion swings around to include these clothes (yay, more of these clothes available to buy!) I don’t dress to be “in fashion” or “trendy”, but wear what I like. Sometimes that means taking pieces that are currently “trendy” because they fit into my style. But I definitely don’t dress to be trendy.