There are certain things in life
that I take very seriously.
For example: the fact that I cannot, for the life of me, find 20 oz disposable coffee cups sold outside of the Starbucks monopoly, or the notion that Kroy on RHWOM has devoted his life to the life-sucking bleach wig blonde Kim.
One thing to which I do not, however, devote time nor emotional energy, is
the fit of my clothing.
I know I've talked a lot about this lately, but only because it keeps coming up.
Every time I purchase something, I inevitably suffer a subtle comment,
and you just have take a look at the F/W 2013 collections to find example after example of models drowning in their delegated attire.
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| 10 Crosby Derek Lam Fall 2013 |
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| Proenza Schouler Fall 2013 |
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| Acne Fall 2013 |
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| Celine Fall 2013 |
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| Haider Ackermann Fall 2013 |
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| The Row Fall 2013 |
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| Christopher Kane Fall 2013 |
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| Givenchy Fall 2013 |
I'm not the only one who's noticed.
Cathy Horyn of the NYT (I need to find a new fashion publication to stalk) acknowledged the phenomenon Monday with the question:
"Could the message in the roomier coats, formless sweaters and the exquisitely refined slob appeal of Miuccia Prada’s undone tweeds be: eat, enjoy! And, while you’re at it, pass the potatoes?"
I don't think so.
In fact, I have a feeling it might be just the opposite.
This week, a customer at one of my jobs commented that "only skinny girls can wear oversized clothing."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, replying that anyone can do whatever they want.
It's those types of fashion "rules" that drive me absolutely batty.
Yet, despite my flippant response, she got me thinking...
What does roomier clothing actually do for a model,
and in turn, for the designer's line?
I can't help but think that there's an underlying body image issue at work here. Only skinny girls can wear clothing so large, because only skinny girls can find clothing so large. It's as if by wearing something 3 sizes too big, we're obnoxiously asserting that there does in fact exist a mainstream size so very far above our own. In a culture that (oh so practically) associates wealth with emaciation [and angry faces] I'm guessing this works in a designer's favor.
The "effortless" factor pops up here too. Clothing both tailored and expensive is too try-hardy (or, god forbid, put together).
But does cheap and oversized clothing convey the same 'effortless chic'? When do we cross into homeless person territory?
There's an interesting phenomenon in the midwest portion of the U.S. in which "coasties" (girls from NYC, Cali, and, misnomerly enough, Chicago) wear disconcertingly large, and yet very very expensive, tees. It's as if by spending so much money on something so simultaneously ill-fitting, they're somehow asserting just how disposable their
(parent's) income truly is.
(parent's) income truly is.
I don't know the answer.
I just know that I feel best in baggier tees and sweaters - a fact of which I'm now (after completing this post) a bit ashamed.
Have I fallen into a trap? I'm a simply deriving self-confidence from unfortunate social stereotypes?
Beautiful photos, and great outfit!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh I LOVE how you Cover the social aspects of fashion and the fashion industry......I never really though about the fit issue so much in terms of wealth/weight bhat now that you mention it those tall skinny models look pretty fierce in an oversize v-neck......damn them
ReplyDeleteBrooke @ what2wear
Interesting post. It may actually be true that being able to wear bigger sizes gracefully might simply mean you are that small. About you feeling better in baggier outfits, I think -- from what I have read here previously -- you just prefer to be covered up and comfortable and showing a little leg instead of that bandage approach to sexy. That preference might come from oh so many places, from an enourmous self confidence to its absolute absence.
ReplyDeleteLove your shorts. I have been thinking of making a pencil skirt just like that, only it would be navy instead of the tan, with the same maroon(and to add texture by making it a leather panel, good idea).
This is is just so fucking great...I can't even. I HATE
ReplyDeletetry-to-hardy clothes! Also, if try to hardy and massively oversized clothing that borders homeless fashion wasn't in then...well there's no way I could look this good for THAT cheap ;) I never thought that the idea behind it might actually be like, kind of classist or elitist? KEEP IT UP SCONNIE!
xoxo
www.PardonMyFashion.com
three words. oversized men's sweaters. i've got so many in my wardrobe, i'm running out of room. i never really thought about it being only the skinny girls that can wear things oversized....i don't know about that.
ReplyDeletehomeless fashion is like boho-chic....think mary-kate and ashley olsen....or even kate hudson....i've seen them look really scrappy, but totally gorgeous. though, as you say....probably spending a buttload of money for a shirt with a hole in it. that i find ridiculous. hello, goodwill and salvation army...favorite place to buy stuff. wow, the gems you can find in there.
okay, i'm really going to miss reading your blog this week. i'm off on a school trip to fiji (i know, poor me, right?) catch up with you in about a week!
Baggy tees and oversized sweaters are like the comfort food of my wardrobe, I love them and usually turn to an oversized sweater and skinny jeans when I'm in a pinch to get ready. However, I do recognize that when a bigger person is trying to cover up their size by wearing baggier clothing it usually backfires. The point you show here is you can wear a baggy sweater and jean jacket while showing off your legs, thus bringing a balanced aesthetic. You're right, anyone can do whatever they want, it's just a matter of doing it the right way and for the right reasons! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDelete-Zoe
Hi there, doll- first off, thank you for your sweet comment! Made my morning. :)
ReplyDeleteSecondly, what an interesting post. It's still a little early on Saturday for me to be thinking this deep (ha), but I really love the questions you pose here.
I love clothes with a bit of slouch (especially tees and sweaters); they're cozy and give off that oh-this-old-thing vibe. To me, it's a sort of cool-girl, off-runway aesthetic that is put together without being too polished.
I also agree with Zoe- a person isn't usually successful when they try to hide their body with over-sized clothing. But if that's not the goal- if the goal is just wear what you want- then they should go for it. It's just clothing, right? :)
Love your look- the slouchy sweater + denim jacket look perfect with the shorts. I'm ready for proper spring weather so I can break out all my dresses/shorts and start working them into the rotation!
Keep in touch; love your blog!
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
Love your outfit, especially the shorts. Another factor in the oversize clothing is height. I'm 5'1 so much of the oversized pieces don't work we'll on me. They look great on you though!
ReplyDeleteThank you for getting me thinking today. I have always loved baggy clothing and after reading your post I am overanalyzing like a champ (but in a good way). I definitely think that there's something about a really skinny girl (read: model, actress, socialite, etc.) in oversized clothing that exacerbates her thinness in an aggressive way that COULD at first be construed as charming but, upon further contemplation, screams UNATTAINABLE. Perhaps it's the unattainable in fashion that makes it so damn obsession-inducing. There's almost something to strive for. There's always an absence. There's always a sense of inadequacy. I love fashion. LURVE IT, but these are real issues to consider.
ReplyDeleteHarling
www.mytomayto.com
I wear oversized clothes ALL the time and I'm certainly not skinny hahha
ReplyDeleteCollections