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?
Sanna 21. May 2008 | Trends Style | Comment [11]
Confessions
- I don’t find runway fashion inspirational no matter how hard I try. Therefore I decided to de-clutter my feeds and remove all those sites that focus on fashion weeks, runways, fashion designers and the likes.
- Me and high street fashion = not in buddy terms either. Unlike one year ago or so, shopping for high street brands doesn’t make me tick anymore. Last week I popped in a couple of stores, and I came out utterly bored and uninspired.
- Call me naff, but I consider fashion fads such as pvc/leather leggings, harem pants and extra over-sized bags fugly.
- Despite the fact that the web is loaded with style and fashion blogs, it is relatively hard for me to find like-minded bloggers. Tips for witty thrifters and unique dressers are warmly welcomed.
- I just can’t wear colours. 99% of my wardrobe is black. Not grey, not brown or blue but black. Before I used to feel guilty about this, but now I try to think that what if this is my thing, the clou of my personal style.
- And yes, I’m either bowed down by the weather, or I have become apathetic. Wish it was spring already!
Sanna 15. March 2008 | Style Trends | Comment [10]
Fashion Houses Love David Lynch
David Lynch is best known for his obscure movies but he also knows how to make intriguing commercials. Interestingly, Lynch is no stranger to fashion ads either. Lynch’s first commercials were a series of four directed for Obsession by Calvin Klein and since launching Obsession ads in 1988 Lynch has directed commercials for Giorgio Armani, Lancome, Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld, to name a few. Last autumn Lynch teamed up with Gucci and came up with an ad with all the guaranteed Lynchian elements: stroboscopes, close-up shots, and seductive women. Voilà!
Sanna 16. February 2008 | Trends | Comment [6]
Style Versus Fashion
The debate on what it means to be stylish goes on in many fashion blogs. I must admit I don’t consider that many people stylish in the actual meaning of the word (i.e., having elegance or taste or refinement in manners or dress). Don’t get me wrong here, many fashion bloggers are very trendy and fashionable indeed. But stylish? Maybe not that much. Let me explain.
Fashion fades, style is forever?
Having read dozens and dozens of fashion and style blogs I’ve been puzzling – once again – about the question as to what it really means to have a great sense of style. Does it mean keeping up with the latest trends? Does it mean making sure you’re always wearing the latest “It” items? Or does it, in fact, mean dressing in an original way that suits your own personality and body type?
I have to say I believe in the second definition more than the first. Yet, when I read all those fashion blogs or fashion mags, there seems to be a very strong pull to the first one, which is, of course, understandable from the industry’s point of view. But it’s pretty clear that fashion fads are a blip on the fashion timeline. For example, one season everyone is sporting leggings under minidresses, the next they are wearing skinny jeans. In my opinion there’s nothing wrong with dabbling in must-haves: each to their own, right!? However, all those “It” items will only be hot for a short period of time.
Fashion trends are notoriously quirky. The fashion industry is always on the hunt for what’s new. For every new, must-have item, there’s another that gets tossed aside like yesterday’s trend. Affordable trendy clothing, which is sometimes called “fast fashion”, is like a double-edged sword. Fast fashion makes fashionable looks accessible to everyone, but when the market is totally saturated with a look a trend loses its appeal.
Style, however, is never out of fashion! I’ll stay in the camp of creativity and flair rather than this season’s perfect outfit. I believe people should get to know themselves and their own body type and wear the shapes and styles of clothing that flatter them – whether those are in or out at the moment. If you want to know what are my top three style tips, stay tuned.
Sanna 3. September 2007 | Trends Style | Comment [2]
