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Observations in Fashion

Fashion—Good or Bad It Always Gets Our Attention

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What is it about the world of fashion that, good or bad, grabs our attention? Is it the aspirational images that we long to emulate? Or are we just amused by the spectacle of its sometimes over-the-top execution? Either way we have an opinion. 

We quickly assess the latest trends without so much as trying them on. The one-piece boiler suit—no! Animal prints—maybe. Kitten heels —yes! And other times it’s simply not that clear. A trend like over-the-knee-boots was sizzling hot the last two seasons yet you may have restrained yourself from buying a pair because you couldn’t get the image of pirates wearing them with tights while striking a pose with their sword. However, later you acquiesced after having dinner with a friend who rocked a pair.

High-rise jean by Everlane

What does it take for us to try something new? In the year 2000 jeans were all low-cut and it seemed everyone wore them. Did we choose to wear them merely because everyone else was wearing them and we didn’t want to be left out? Today you would have to get your low-rise jeans at a secondhand store because the high-rise jean is now Queen of the fashion world. You may be wearing high-rise jeans today but my bet is that the first time you saw someone wearing them you thought they looked odd and convinced yourself that the high-waisted trend would quickly pass. Now as you drink your coffee at your favorite cafe you recall the muffin top that was inevitable when you sat down in your low-rise jeans. Thoughtfully, after another sip of coffee you swear never to wear anything low-rise again!

Not everyone is curious about fashion. There are the fashion holdouts—the ones that find their style in a particular era and stick with it. For example the hippies of the 60s who embraced tie dye and never looked back. Then there were the  Gen-Xer’s who fell madly in love with plaid during the 90s when Grunge was all the rage and still wear plaid shirts to every occasion. These people are the holdouts who have found peace with fashion while the rest of us still look for that sweet spot, something that grabs our attention and amuses us on our search for something else.

Eat well, laugh a lot, and be chic!

Casual Dress Culture Takes Another Leap Into Casualness

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It’s the end of an era as casual dress codes are being embraced by even the old guards of polished style.

It wasn’t that long ago that most industries imposed strict dress codes for employees which would be considered repressive by today’s standards. In the 80s “dressing for success” and “power dressing” were expressions widely embraced by work culture. Dress codes of the past not only enforced strict rules but relied heavily on antiquated sartorial notions for how men should dress like men and women should dress like women.

Not surprisingly guidelines for women have been more stringent—pantyhose, pearls, and prudent styles were required in the workplace. As early as the 90s women were forbidden to wear pants in Congress. But these strict dictates of dress have very slowly been chipped away at since then. 

90s Grunge Fashion

The first remarkable move away from polished, co-ordinated, and tailored dressing came to us via Seattle with the popularity of the Grunge Movement. But denim’s soaring trendiness also contributed to the favored relaxed looks for the up-and-coming Baby Boomer’s and Gen-Xer’s. 

Since then we have slowly cultivated new levels of casual dressing in our daily lives from how we dress for work, the opera, and to the airport. Airports seem to be a particular spectacle of just how casually people will dress when they fly. Travelers wearing pajamas and flip-flops stepping onto the jetway with the pillow from their bedroom tucked under their arm is sadly something that we have all witnessed. 

However, the loosening-up of of dress codes in conservative fields like finance and law seemed to be the holdout in adapting to the modern spirit of casual dress. That was until now.

It appears casual dress codes are no longer just for IT companies, the opera, and airports. Recently Goldman Sachs announced its new attitude toward a more relaxed work environment with a new dress code.  A memo went out stating, “Goldman Sachs has a broad and diverse client base around the world, and we want all of our clients to feel comfortable with and confident in our team, so please dress in a manner that is consistent with your clients’ expectations.”

Without mentioning the specifics of this new dress code the memo also stated, “casual dress is not appropriate every day and for every interaction. … All of us know what is and is not appropriate for the workplace.” 

Everyone has different approaches to dressing casual and defining the perimeters of such is not a bad idea for industries charting new territories because one person’s understanding of appropriate dress is another person’s indifference. Perhaps if there was a dress code for getting on a plane we would all have a more pleasant flight.

Dress codes may seem passé nowadays but a few guidelines certainly wouldn’t hurt. 

Eat well, laugh a lot, and be chic!

The Styles Trending for Spring 2019 all Begin with a “B”

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It certainly doesn’t feel as though Spring will be making an appearance anytime soon. But if there is one thing we can bet on it’s that the weather will not stay this cold and wet for long. So the question is not will the temps warm up? The question is will we be ready?

The trend forecast for Spring 2019 suggests that we will be wearing;

Bucket hats

Belt bags

Biker shorts

Boiler suits

Beige

Like all trend reports I follow the strict rule of Trend Lightly and I suggest you do as well because some things on this list of favored looks do not have staying power. Before you dash out to pick up a few of these prized Spring trends let’s have a closer look.

Bucket Hats

Everyone should have a few hat choices to wear during the warmer months if for no other reason than to protect your face from the sun and the bucket style is an easy choice. It’s classic—you will have it forever. The brim is reasonable—you won’t be dodging pedestrian traffic like you would with an umbrella. And they are easy to pack.

Rag & Bone Ellis Bucket Hat $150

Belt Bags

Fanny packs have been rebranded and are now referred to as belt bags. Certainly the rebranding of this more elegant version of itself was a genius move! But like fashion so often does, it went a little too far with these versions.

Let’s have a closer look at this trend. The concept is a good one as there are many days we would prefer not to schlep a bag around. We don’t have a lot of choices when it comes to going without since fashion does not offer us clothing made with meticulously placed pockets (like in men’s fashion). On days where we need to take only a few necessities like keys, cash, and a phone with us this handsfree solution is the way to go.

MZ Wallace Metro Belt Bag $145
available in 8 colors
If you are not a fan of wearing your belt bag around your waist simply sling it over your shoulder

Biker Shorts

I am just going to come out and say it—No, please don’t! This Spring 2019 biker shorts are being shown with blazers which give these shiny, lycra bottoms a more uptown vibe. Nonetheless, they still look like biker shorts and are very difficult to pull off unless you’ve got your mountain bike with you in which case you won’t need the blazer.

Instead have a look at a pair of Bermuda shorts in a woven fabric with a touch of lycra. The beauty of these bottoms is they have all the classic style of capris.

Vince Bermuda Shorts $165

Boiler Suits

Much like the jumpsuits which were popular among the fashion influencers last year, the boiler suit comes with a few hard-to-get-over facts. First, going to the bathroom is more of an issue as you will need to undress when you hit the loo. And second you just might be mistaken for a plumber. If you like the concept of an all-in-one outfit try instead a monochromatic look. You will have the style of someone who is on trend without the hassle of undressing every time you go to the bathroom.

Biege

Beige is the color that says nothing and goes with everything! A definite YES! In fact any neutral color is worth the investment. The pros in wearing beige beside the one I just mentioned is that it works well for all seasons and does not get visibly dirty as its sister color white. I personally think beige during the summer months worn with white looks elegant—think beige coat and white pants.

The con is that beige can be a difficult color to wear. Too much yellow in the beige color is not terribly flattering against most complexions. But owning trousers, coats, handbags, and shoes in beige are worth the investment.

Eat well, laugh a lot, and be chic!