If I had to think back to where my love of style and fashion started from... it would take me awhile to think of one good answer. I think the moments and people in our lives heavily influence our style aesthetic and moves us from one style to the next over time. This is easily seen in the changes in our looks over time as seen in photographs. From childhood friends, to trends in high school, music videos, TV and movies, and more, they can all inspire us.
As a child of the 80s, I've seen many interesting fads, from jelly shoes, to leg warmers and tights, to multi-colored, multiple shoe strings, to feathered bangs, and rolled up pant legs and sleeves... At the time, everyone looked cool, and you tried to emulate the looks so that you too would be so-called fashionable and hip. However, looking back on old photographs, you soon realize how cheesy and funny you looked. It makes me smile now when I actually see these trends coming back into fashion, leggings, and even leg warmers re-emerging into society, and people seemingly not to know any better. Were they cute back then? Probably not. Case in point:
So what makes people think these trends are cute now? I just don't understand sometimes.
In the 90s, I remember trying to fit-in in high school by buying the trendy fall fashions in 9th grade: baby-doll dresses, lacy leggings, and bubble necklaces. I came to class thinking I was hip, until one beautiful, modelesque princess in my class gasped as I walked into class and said, "Oh my god, you shop at Wet Seal?" Or some such hip retail mall store, that their name escapes me now. I wasn't sure if it was a compliment, a pleasant surprise to my classroom confidant, or as a condescending snicker. In any event I was proud walking into class with my Esprit shoulder bag left over from junior high and my newly bought ensemble. I didn't care. Then once Fall faded, so did the trends, and I soon found my new outfits as a waste of money and I couldn't dare wear them anymore. This was my first lesson in:
don't follow trends. You can use trends as an example of something new and cute; or bringing back something from style's past and making it fresh again. However, I feel that people that only follow trends as their fashion leader lose sight of who they are and what they really like. Who decides these trends? All of a sudden some fashionista tells you that purple and gold colored shoes are the hottest thing out there and everyone has to go run and buy anything with those characteristics. One friend of mine, who works in advertising and sales told me that everything is connected. One large fashion house owns the companies that design the shoes, along with designing the outfits for fall, along with selecting specific colors, and creates the hand bags that you also have to have. They create the trends based on what they want to sell. And we fall for it everytime. I have to wear gladiator sandals with a hobo bag and a slouchy t-shirt because these are the hottest trends right now. And the fashion house has now sold you on everything in their arsenal.
Look at the source. The industry dictates what they want to sell. And we as consumers just eat it up.
I have found my own path from that 9th grade debacle. Were they always the right choices? Probably not. Did everyone like my style or outfit choices? Defin
itely no. But it makes no difference to me. Because at the end of the day, nothing pleases me more then knowing I represented myself in a style that I love. A piece of clothing that I have made uniquely my own, and that I took the time to spruce up and accessorize well.
Where do I get my inspiration? From things that I love, style icons, movies and music, and yes even the currently flowing and ever-changing river of living fashion. But again, I do not subscribe to trends, I take inspiration and follow my own path.
Who are my style icons? Glamorous movie stars from silent films, and movies of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Jean Harlow,
Marlena Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page, Veronica Lake... Women then seem so beautiful and put together to me. A beautiful, structured simplicity. Everyone had a high style aesthetic. My aunt tells me that during that time, you wore your regular everyday clothes at home, but for going out, you had special clothes, hats and gloves. I honestly think people today are lazy when it comes to fashion. Jeans and a t-shirt is everyone's simple fashion choice. Why? Because it is comfortable and looks good on everyone supposedly. I don't think so. Take those extra 5 minutes to pick a beautiful lacy top and sexy shoes to pair with your jeans. A cute fitted cropped jacket and a great bag to top off the look, and boom! you have instantly vamped up your look with a few wardrobe changes.
Put down the hooded sweatshirt! Pick up the fitted jacket, and novel scarf, a charming necklace, and
make yourself inspired again! Don't ever do these things to please other people, but always do these things to make yourself your best!
Other fashion inspirations to me: sci-fi and futuristic designs; industrial music; geishas and cherry blossoms; flowers; wrought iron fences; Gothic and vintage looks; antiques and futuristics gadgets respectively; fine art; surrealism; art deco; steam punk; rock n' roll; style designers and fashion magazines; and so many more it's probably hard to pin down. But as you can see, my style aesthetic and inspiration is varied and all over the place. I know what I like, what I think looks good, and can only try to dress to please myself.
What inspires you?
There is so much I like and dislike. Some fashions frustrate me and I can't understand why they're so popular. Others inspire me and I can't understand why everyone doesn't dress like that more. This blog is a journey in trying to figure out the love of fashion and style. From the psychological approach (confidence & self-esteem), from fashion's approach (media influence and trends), from the consumer's approach (what is realistic that we can afford, supply & demand), and from our own approach (what inspires us). I hope this journey is a fun one and can bring new insight and ideas of its own. We won't always agree, but that is okay. If we don't have our own opinions of fashion, because afterall, fashion is subjective, then we have to share ideas and transform from one era's look to our next attempt at representing fashion. Quick, take a picture and capture this moment forever. We'll laugh at ourselves again in about 5 years!
[please note this is not the author but a nice, randomly googled image from when I searched for "80s feathered hair." Thought the reader would enjoy it. :) ]
