A Little More Simple
I had a rather simple outfit on today and wore out, what I suppose one would call, an '80s Members Only jacket. Underneath my jacket I opted for a fine cotton, white t-shirt, with thin pale and navy blue stripes. For a contrast both in terms of colour and tone, I wore a pair of black jeans (apparently the 513s were a European exclusive, and I have actually yet to see them again in a Levis store). Playing upon the light blue of the jacket, I went for light purple socks, and finished my outfit off with some red plimsoles.
The jacket made me think of the resurgence of the 1980s in mainstream media the past few years, from music to fashion. Indeed many are even waiting for the inevitable return of '90s fashion once again, yet as ever with the resurgence of fashion trends, adapted and evolved for the contemporary market.
I began to think about the cyclical nature of fashion, yet more importantly, the idea of fashion trends. Previous to the twentieth century one notes general stylistic trends in fashion, from the style of ruff, to the number of layers in women's skirts. Whilst there may have also been momentary or geographical trends during these periods, we mainly recall the general stylistic trends, as opposed to specific fashion trends. The differentiation between a fashion trend and a stylistic trend is important when considering clothing and fashion as a concept. I have always thought of the previous centuries as having been documented in terms of their stylistic trends, whilst the twentieth century saw the documentation and memorisation of fashion trends.
There are a number of reasons for that change in the concept of fashion, the first of which would most likely have to be the advent and rise of mass production. Once clothing became available in standard sizes, in large quantities and at a cheaper price, they were able to turn into the widely affordable and accessible goods we know them as today. However what the twentieth century also saw was the start of the modern fashion show. This is perhaps fitting with the Spring 2010 shows underway currently, however one must not forget the humble beginnings of the shows. Displayed in a more intimate setting, clothing would be showcased as the latest of technologies and design. Media was not as it is today, and the word would spread slowly, yet decisively on these new fashions.
Fashion shows would however soon become the main attraction, and the only proper way for a designer to display their latest collection. In the contemporary market, the high number and frequency of shows manages to promote and create momentary and disposable trends. However, that market can not exist singularly via the shows. The 1950s saw a post war affluence in the US, along with the ostensibly new creation of the teenager. This would start the emergence of what is now one of, if not the, largest buying powers in the world - the youth.
Along with the youthful desire to always have the latest products and looks, expendable income allowed them to fulfil it. With the rise of cheap fashion however, it allowed a whole new style of shopping, which quite literally, anyone could partake in.
If one looks to times after the boom of Couture in the post war period, one notes the general fashion trends of the relevant decades. One can easily identify a '60s look, or a '70s look, yet decades previous to the twentieth century become clouded in the secrecy of time. Whilst one could argue that those fashion trends are by now too old to truly exist within social memory, I believe one can attribute it to the change, and to a certain extent, creation, of the fashion market as we know it today.
I can wear my jacket, and people will think it has a decidedly '80s feel, and that really does make me think both of whether we will ever see an outfit and think it has an 1880's feel, or whether I shall be able to note the major fashion or stylistic trends of this century so far only with the benefit of hindsight.
Currently playing: You Rock My World - Michael Jackson
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