Fashion's Not Dead, It's Just Out Of My Reach
Walking around these days isn’t as much fun as it used to be.
I used to walk around and be at least minimally inspired by the outfits and creativity that I saw. Chic was chic, clean and modern was clean and modern, and most importantly, business/professional was professional at least to a degree.
I loved that I added to that aesthetic and I love that I became known for that 90’s-inspired, chic, creative but professionally elevated [and intentional] fashion aesthetic.
It’s actually one of the best compliments that I’ve received — “your look… you’re always aesthetically pleasing…I like the way you dress…”.
Not only because of how rare it used to be to say that something was “aesthetically pleasing” but because it was genuine and came from someone who’s aesthetic I found equally pleasing. Someone who knew fashion just as much as I did. Someone who took pride in how he dressed and showed that on a consistent basis.
The differences between style and fashion are important here.
A lot of us, largely due to social media, love to pretend to be stylists and to have style, but it’s just not there and that’s totally fine! It’s certainly not for everyone. But, since you have to wake up and get dressed each day, I totally appreciate those who do it to feel good about themselves and not to pretend to be things that they are not.
With that, style is defined, in part, as “a distinctive appearance… a manner of doing something… designate with a particular name, description, or title”. If these things don’t tell you that your style should be specific to you, then I don’t know how else to impart that message upon you.
When your style is tailored to your look, your creativity, your body and your aesthetic, it’s generally at it’s best! That’s peak style through and through, and again, when it’s authentic to you, it certainly shows and is worth complimenting.
How one develops a style in this very forward-facing, attention-driven world is a different story, but for me, my style has always been what it is!
Initially, I hated to match. I thought it was the weirdest and most conformist idea out there! Now, however, 1-and-2-toned looks are some of my favorites to put together!
Professional settings have been my home for quite some time with COVID to thank for my only breaks, so 90’s inspired business/professional have been my vibes through and through. But, with everything that I do, adding my flare to that means that I make it a bit more daring by mixing textures and patterns while still maintaining a clean, chic and essentially vintage-dawned look — larger lapels, whimsical patterns, pleated and midi skirts or dresses.
I mix modern into my love of vintage styling because I truly love the different materials that have been introduced into fashion (I’m a fan of quality products, so a lot of the time thicker material with better stitch-work will appeal to me). Vintage appeals to me because, in my eyes, midi pleated skirts, exaggerated shoulders, ruffles and lapels will never go out of style. All I need is an occasion to dress in Old Hollywood glam or in a beautiful fluffy dress with slick gloves and I am there!
The Problem
The problem today is that style is, like many things, dead and underdone. Everyone is dressing the same — the same jeans, worn with the same shirts (tucked into high-waisted jeans or a single crop) — literally the same as everyone else while calling it style. Sometimes they’ll even thrown on a jacket. Big whoop!
Uninspired is the nicest way that I can put it!
Being in a city that I less than enjoy around a ton of the exact same person (over and over in different shapes, sizes and colors) is daunting, uninspiring, and oddly exhausting. It’s even taken my excitement for dressing up, but even if I wanted to, I feel that fast fashion has the more notable brands cutting corners and providing clothing that is subpar on it’s best day which truly bites my bunion because the prices continue to rise (hello Tahari).
With that I’ve noticed that if I want quality clothing, then I’d have to buy pure luxury! Expensive, but you pay for what you get, I guess (well, depending on the brand).
I did a bit of shopping around and these are some of the pieces that I absolutely loved and would easily enjoy incorporating into my wardrobe this fall (including the YSL picks from above — fall 23’).
As you can see: I love loafers, moccasins, and oxfords (and Vans) — really I love anything that pairs well with large lapels, a double-breasted coat and tapered ankle pants. The accessories always have to add something subtle that says, “I clearly thought this outfit out” without trying too hard. But that 90’s business-professional style always allows for me to live out my vintage-with-a-flare dreams whether I’m wearing a khaki pleated midi skirt with a blouse or tapered flight pants with a corset top and heels.
“Good, true-to-you, style makes fashion an effortless, never-ending adventure. ”
The fashions may be harder to reach these days — blame the “fast generation” or capitalism — but with style, you’re never truly out of looks. Don’t let the quick, pre-supplied co-ords take away your bedecked creativity.
While I’ve never been a fan of “fake it til’ you make it” when it comes to fashion, I’m totally okay with, “dress to impress”. So, even if you have to pretend like you know what you’re doing, put on those clothes and strut your stuff!
Best [dressed],
Bree 😉