This has been bothering me for some time.
What is Cool anymore?
Style of dress as I have seen it on the streets of late is so utterly overwhelming. Finally, I had a breaking point recently that has caused me to go insane.
The thing? When I realized that, and probably late, considering the rapid fire trend machine-
I was seeing men and boys on the street walking around going for what apparently looks like a late 1800's traveling salesman. I could be totally wrong about the time period, but seeing as how each of these dapper gentlemen could have easily been accompanied by a Penny-Farthing bike...
Side parted hair. pomade. suspenders. Leather shoes. socks. skinny pants rolled up.
Mustache or no, I was just dumbfounded thinking...
"what the fuck?!?"
Not that looking like you prescribe some "cure all" snake oil isn't cool, it just suddenly and profoundly hit me that theres just TOO MUCH going on with style right now.
I wish i could provide photographic accompaniment to the following. However, it would take too long and be too exhausting!
You have your Penny Farthings.Your guys who look like 70's drug addict rock stars. Your guys who look like a bitch ass skater kid from the early, mid or late 90's.
You have the bohemian people. The buttoned up early 60's housewife. Someone who seems to have some connection with Native American Culture. The glam squad. The Nike athletic shorts or yoga pants in public crew. The 80's Glittery club kids. A rockabilly guy or two. Gothic. Nerd( let's blame the 90's for this one. but geez, if every nerd is cool, then who's a nerd?!?). Punk Rocker.Hillbilly. Biker. Debutante. Librarian. Metalhead. Futuristic.Japanese.Flapper. Homeless.
How is ALL of this "cool"? Cool used to be something defined. Something to strive for, or desire.
I feel like today, I could put on any combination of random garments and pretty much feel on par with the hipsters(eww)!
I just don't know when utter chaos became an efficient statement about oneself.
EVERY TIME PERIOD.
EVERY GENRE.
EVERY ETHNIC INFLUENCE.
It's too much.
How do you even know what's in? whats "now", what's ORIGINAL?
Fuck That.
I say we all take a big, huge, drank too much [whatever cheap beer or fancy bullshit cocktail happens to be "coolest" right now] stumble backwards.
What would be really cool
is if you didn't need any over the top crap to feel like you were presenting yourself as something.
What would be really brave and "cutting edge" at this moment- a tragedy in all respects, for fashion- is to be Aight with wearing something non-descript.
My vision for this?
Think how a fashion model used to dress to a "Go See" ( where they introduce themselves and walk and try to get hired by a designer). Black tank top. Pony tail. Jeans.
I mean, who are you, really? Are YOU some accessory that's in all honesty already passe by the time you buy it(calling all fringe ridden or original Coach cross body bags)?
I should hope not.
Too many fashion victims. too little time.
Be the change.
Ha!
Look at it this way: I am 27 and am so glad I kept all the hideous clothing from middle school...people will pay so much for those hideous shirts, dresses and shorts I wore back then...I'm gonna be rich, and I don't even have to worry about buying new clothes because grunge is "so in" right now!
ReplyDeleteBut in all seriousness, you nailed this one. I am so sick of seeing all the crazy crap going around right now. I've taken a stepback and just dropped my jaw at some of the "fashion" trends.
I hear you, CAStone! But one of the other things about this that bothers me is that these people have changed my lifelong hobby of thrifting. Yes, they HARDLY know what they are looking for, and they buy a ton of the hideous crap. But they also unwittingly snag some cool, valuable, timeless stuff. It isn't so much about quality to the trendsters, but about being..."in". That means some amazing things will end up in the dumpster or back in the goodwill again in 2 weeks once the wave has passed...Only the value will have been skewed in a negative direction. Both from the amount of coffee/booze/cigarette/patchouli oil/ glitter make up stains those pieces have endured, but also because They have been exhalted already. And not in the way they should have been. It's sad, really. I hope it stops soon. Cheers!
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