A Rural Escape

In my last post I wrote about my fantasies of adapting the beautifully dark, yet most importantly accessible, aesthetic of Helmut Lang. However, the mind works in such a way that our thoughts and inspirations tug and pull at us from all corners. Another fascination I have felt as of late, which is indeed perhaps most appropriate for the upcoming autumnal days, is that of traditionally based functional work wear. Perusing the Fall '09 lookbook for 45rpm, I found myself filled with a city boy's sense of wonder, appreciating the rugged and simple aesthetic of the designs.

Having been born and raised in the city I have always had that rather romanticised view of rural style. And although I have long known it not to be the true image, it is nevertheless an inspiring thought. Just as one would create a sea-inspired or military-inspired outfit, being an adapted and romanticised view of those elements, my fascination with rural and work inspired clothing is the same.

The style I have pictured since I was a young boy is one of functional, and yet wonderfully stylised, attire. A fitted plaid flannel shirt peeking from underneath a chunky hand-knitted woolen sweater, worn atop a pair of broken-in selvedge denim jeans and chestnut brown work-boots, constitutes one image of my autumnal rural fantasy. Each element is functional in is purpose, serving to keep the body warm or designed to be tough and hard wearing, yet the combination of textures, colours and fits creates a clear sense of style.

I am enthralled by the idea of traditional based working attire for it is in truth, a concept foreign to me. I suppose those things which are foreign to us shall always hold an allure in our minds, steeped in the mysteries of the unknown. Yet I suppose that is indeed truly the way inspiration works - we pick upon the elements of a subject matter that we know most about and find most attractive and then adapt it to our own needs and desires.

The style of this collection is one I find fascinating, and yet there is a sense of the escapism to the style in my mind. As it is not a style I am used to wearing, it becomes one that is interesting from a whole range of different aspects and viewpoints. Most importantly however, it is the concept of identity and fashion that truly intrigues me. Taking this example I wonder where one would draw the line between being influenced by and dressing up as? I could quite happily find myself wearing a pair of reproduction Levis from the turn of the century, a rough cotton work shirt, a chore coat and a pair of vintage leather boots, and yet it begs the question as to whether I am simply dressing up to play a part. At what point does an outfit constitute as costume?


Fashion shall always inherently contain and fulfill an element of escapism. By virtue of deciding what we wear each morning, we are making a conscious decision of how we would like to present ourselves to the world. Taking this further down the line, we are consciously deciding upon how others will inevitably perceive us. As such I wonder whether fashion is always a matter of us dressing up to play a part? To walk down to the supermarket one may wear different attire as one would to attend a job interview. Both of those outfits represent us, yet to what extent they are a true representation of us is debatable.

I suppose I have the same dilemma when it comes to certain areas and trends in fashion. There are concepts that feel foreign to me, and whilst I would be perfectly comfortable in wearing them, there is still a question of whether they truly represent me. I guess the answer most would give to this is to simply adapt the fashion to oneself. Whilst this is indeed true, I have always wondered what this actually means. If I am comfortable in wearing something, where do I draw the line as to what would constitute a costume on me?

I feel that costume and fashion are inextricably linked. The outfits on a runway show are presented in full concept, arguably making them a costume. Yet once bought and worn by the consumer, away from the image of the original presentation they are for the most parts no longer deemed as costume. However I think that the idea of dressing up is unavoidable, and it truly is down to the individual. An eclectic and diverse sense of style can often throw up the questions of costume and identity for an outside observer, and yet for the individual in question, it is part of their self.

Escapism is for me inherent in all fashion, yet where style is concerned, it is simply a matter of who we are. Even if for only the briefest of moments a garment can transport us to a different state of mind, give us a renewed sense of confidence, it becomes an experience to relish and enjoy. I apologise for such a convoluted post today, however these are questions that have been on my mind since I first became aware of clothing, let alone fashion. I realise that the luxury of time is one few have, and so to those who have actually taken it to read this far, I would like to thank you immeasurably - you truly are the reason I continue to write this blog.

Just as putting on clothing that is foreign to us can feel like costume, and takes that concept of escapism further, it is for me a wonderful exploration of self. By wearing something I am not used to, or indulging in a style that is in some subtle way arguably not my usual self, there is a wonderful exploration. I suppose that fashion shall always be about reinvention in design, but for the individual it is about self understanding. To experiment with colours, fits and styles, to find what truly appeals to us and makes us comfortable is a life long exploration. Though we may stray from the path at times, most notably in the boldness of youth, it is that journey of self discovery, which makes clothing, fashion and adornment a truly immortal human trait.

I am not saying that one ought to purposely play dress up and constantly indulge in costume, but that to explore one's boundaries is a necessary step every once in a while. Indeed I often find myself wondering how I can take what I have and find a new way of wearing and presenting. It does not have to be a major step, for it is often the most subtle of changes which have the truest effect on our person's. I suppose what I am trying to say is that clothing can reveal to us who we are when we least expect it. A woman can wear a certain dress and find herself feeling more beautiful than she could have ever imagined, and it is the paths we take to those moments that make the journey all the more worthwhile.

Currently playing: We On ft. Lupe Fiasco - Gemini

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