About a week ago, Andrew wrote this:
"perhaps fashion doesn't 'evolve' because it doesn't need to, it just has to keep periodically changing until the next batch of fashion forward 20-somethings comes along to replace the more contented, aging 30-somethings that have more or less settled into a fashion identity after growing tired of waiting for fashion to evolve."
Well that, I thought, is depressing.
Why?
Because it means that my adventurous nature will slowly die, and I,
like the rest of the world,
will settle for a comforting sense of simplicity.
I KNOW.
Wasn't it only two days ago that I was gushing about my newfound fondness for less!?
Simplicity, I said oh so dramatically, is beautiful. It allows our true selves to shine through.
And it does.
Sometimes.
But what really struck me about Andrew's comment was the last line and statement that we all eventually grow "tired of waiting for fashion to evolve."
Is that it? Is that why we return to the minimalist, most basic (banal?) versions of our sartorial selves? Is that why black becomes the ultimate basic, blazers the #1 go-to, and functional footwear the most sought-after solution?
Do we just resign ourselves to the notion that our "style" should, as a rule, shed itself of extraneous adornments in favor of a "mature" sense of minimalism?
Do we give up the notion that a profound stylistic evolution is possible?
I don't know about you guys, but it seems to me that the "theme" for fashion as of late is reduction. Reduction of color, reduction of shape, reduction of variation.
Monochrome, single print ensembles, single sole pumps, sheer fabrics, shapeless silhouettes, etc, etc, etc.
Almost as if any sort of exploration requires too much effort to be cool.
But why?
Is this just the end of another generational cycle? Is the "fashion blogger" generation reaching the end of its experimental phase? Is "the next batch of fashion forward 20-somethings" about to replace us oh-so-maturely minimalist selves?
Have we "grow[n] tired of waiting for fashion to evolve"?
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| chambray shirt: Anthropologie, leather skirt: H&M, shoes: Tildon via Nordstrom |
Is it natural and OK to feel fulfilled by simplicity?
Or is it our only choice?
Cheers.
But surely if fashion didn't evolve we'd still be wearing bloomers and hoop skirts and society would frown at my wearing of mens trousers, (there is a very good chance that society does that anyway).
ReplyDeleteDespite that I tend to agree with the idea of settling into a style, though I think it's more about a growing sense of self as opposed to any notion of growing tired of waiting for fash-un. Our teens and twenties are a time of experimentation, and by the time we hit the big three oh, we've got a pretty good grip on what we like and don't like. For some that just might be simplicity, and hey simple is cool.
But I hope, in the way that I do, that reaching our thirties doesn't mean the end of trying new shit and a wardrobe full of black blazers and functional flats, cause if that's the case my clock is ticking and I still haven't found the perfect structured, yet draped tweed jacket with suede elbow patches!
x
Very valid point. I think maybe a bit of this is just me suffering from oversaturation.
DeleteThe only thing I have a hard time understanding is why I'm continually searching for clothing that feels me, and why I expect myself to settle back into things I've already tried - the same thing that so many others do. Is that because I'm just giving up the endless hunt, or is it because that's TRULY me? Man Repeller says it's b/c I'm just not comfortable with re-embracing a past version of myself - but I don't know.
Diddo on experimenting through my 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. I hope my curiosity never dies.
Thanks for the awesome viewpoint!
-gab
i think that search is ongoing and cyclical because we are constantly evolving along with fashion. so something that couldn't feel more you today might not feel so you a year from now. it would be great, and a lot cheaper, if we all liked the same things for our entire lives but that would show no growth at all and frankly sounds more than a little boring if you're not doug funnie.
Deleteabigail
www.farandwildjewelry.com
Beautiful pictures my dear! your blog is so lovely!:)
ReplyDeletewe can follow each other if you want (gfc, bloglovin,..) :)
http://www.borsadimarypoppins.com/
xoxo Gloria
You're just riding your own personal style wave! It works cuz you do minimalism so well! The 90's are BACK- and not just grunge. Minimalism, too. Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and a slew of others put minimalism on the map during the 90's. The minimalism of the 90's was essentially a palette cleanse from the excesses and exuberant styles of the 80's. Are you cleaning your style soul?!?!
ReplyDeleteXOXO Britt
Hey Gab! I really enjoyed reading your comments on my blog :) Thanks a lot for all the kind words seriously! Enough about me though.... your blog rocks girl! And your style is flawless! Perfect pics.. I love it all!
ReplyDeleteI'm following you on BlogLovin and Facebook! Hope you follow back ;)
xxxxx
http://www.fashionnarcissism.com/
A lot times, a lot of us experiment only to find that one style that fits us just right. For those people, yes they fall into a comfort style some years down the line. But, in my view, if the reason you experiment is to evolve... that is an innate nature. It would still be there when you turn 30.
ReplyDeleteAs for the reduction trend, I have fallen for it as well. And yes I love minimalism today.. but with an edge. Who knows about tomorrow :)
Swati @ The Creative Bent
This post made me do a big hmmmmmm. I don't know - maybe over time we get more comfortable with what we like and don't like, and don't need to experiment as hard to feel settled in that. Maybe that's where "simplicity" comes in. Or maybe, "simplicity" is another way of saying we just give up because we feel like experimenting is for the young and reckless and we're not sure that we are worth the effort anymore? I am really not sure. Ask us all again in a decade ;)
ReplyDeleteLove this look, your blog, your thoughts, everything. I have Blog-loved you!
The clothes keep getting simpler and cheaper because manufacturers want to make the most amount of money for the least amount of work. That is my theory. Also most people don't appreciate the time and money it takes to make a more complex look, so they just go with whatever is cheapest.
ReplyDelete