Yesterday I decided to open an email I got from American Eagle about some 30% off. I was confused of its contents.
Since when did Glam or party girl mean a baret and a button down? I understood that it is American Eagle and their style is usually very plain aka "American" So I decided to give them another shot on click on the Ad. Yet, still- Their party shop was nothing party like. I know the brand is appealing to a specific type of American girl. The girl next door who doesn't have much creativity except to wear whatever the store says she should put together. The clothes ARE BORING. They can look really cute- but the thing is, not on all women. I know this because when I try on this American girl look it just doesn't match. I feel and look like I am in high school. It works for tall, chest less, petite women; maybe. They are leggy have straight hair and it looks really fresh and clean on them. Ill admit I have bought a few pieces from there only because I needed the basic sweatshirt that will keep me warm. I used it for its functionality, not their style.
Get Glam?? Party Girl?? Were they serious??
I used to work at Bebe. I can understand what glamourous may mean to some, but I am tired of glamorous being laced with sleazy/sexy. bebe is also way over the edge with their advertising.
So now we are told that to get attention from a man we have to wear these dresses and be this thin. So we can guarantee a kiss? I know this is not a new concept. But so many women fall for it every day. The point im trying to make is that the entire concept of glamour and sexy has been so obscured in our minds that we no longer can decide for ourselves what looks sexy. Its not about us anymore, its about everyone else's image of us. And are we so desperate to get a guys attention solely by the clothes we wear? I wonder if women went out to clubs wearing very basic plain clothes. Will they feel sexy? confident? Able to approach men? Probably not. Why?
I am not saying that its okay to look innapropriate in public. For example, I have seen women go out in public in what they think is appropriate for them. Whether it means her not wearing a bra and wearing long hippie skirts and not having her hair washed for 10 days. -Or wearing clothes that are too tight, or too sleazy for a saturday afternoon. I can agree there are certain rules of decorum. And this description would fit those who are just mentally ill. Get with times too, ya know
I had a conversation with someone about the meaning of originality. The concept of a mall defeats the entire concept of being original. A mall is a place where all "accepted" stores are. It is a foolproof place for people to go to get an idea of the current trends. It is a place where people go to buy prepackaged individuality. There is nothing original about all the stores in a mall. Its societies stamp of approval of what is acceptable to put on your body. Its a conglomerated place of social acceptance. Now, if you are one of those people that go from store to store to put pieces together, then I can give you credit for trying. But again, if you do that - you are also trying very hard to be original. So what does original mean when it comes to fashion and style?
I think I have come to the conclusion that original doesn't exist unless you are the one designing your own clothing. If you have a favorite designer in which you can identify with their styles and you wear that clothing, then good for you in supporting that designer, and good luck on your journey in finding identification in clothing.
I have gone very astray from my original idea here. I want to address glamour. What is it? How do your choices in clothing reflect your identity?
I wont go further. Please Ponder :)
Posts
13 comments:
I wished I looked like the girl on the first picture :(
Well I can't even ponder fashion since I have no sense for it. Lol I stick with basics ... no wonder I never get any emails with coupons for clothes. haha
I always keep my email open too. Silly habit. : )
Brandi
ps, found you through 20something bloggers.
I think our clothes speak more to who we want to impress than to who we want to be. Most people I know, myself included, dress according to how we want the world to perceive us. Sure, comfort is good, and certain situations call for certain clothes. Otherwise, I dress to fit the part. After all, it's not me who will be looking at me. So, what the audience demands....
I agree the rule is much harsher to women, though not exclusively so. I am supposed to be four inches taller than I am apparently, but the general shape is right.
So, all of this is a long winded way of saying I empathize, even if my resolve against is not as strong.
And I found you through 20somethings as well.
Great post! I think about this a lot too. I can't lie--I definitely fall for trends, too, but I will ONLY wear what I like. I know so many girls that will wear whatever the stores and magazines are showing, just because it's "in". I am a huge fan of originality and putting things together simply because I like them, and not because the latest fashion is telling me that's what looks good (and half the time, the latest fashions look silly...at least to me!). I think glamor is all about FEELING sexy. If you think you look good, and you are confident and feel hot, then that is VERY glamorous!
I've been thinking about this...sigh..I think I'm original, but I must admit this year's trend is on my side..you know..wearing trainers with strings that don't match the colour, things like that..I don't know..I love fashion yet I hate it when it doesn't suit me.
I think my style says I'm lazy.
95% of my wardrobe is black. The rest is various shades of grey. I own many pairs of jeans that I wear with black shirts. I have at least 2 dozen identical black shirts. I accesorize to make them appropriate for the Sunday farmer's market, my office and the occasional cocktail party.
I do own a few "nicer", "dressier" shirts but those have been bought under duress, so they shouldn't count.
I think I'm simply past the point of trying to impress anyone, plus I'm too lazy to care...so, I have my uniform of black shirts and either jeans or black skirts. Easy.
I do have some impulses to get new stuff. They're not so much due to advertising/ the media/ the trends, but rather watching some old movie or something I'm reading (I'm in a brooch phase right now where I aquire tons of vintage ones and wear them all the time, mostly inappropriately. This was preceded by the massive cocktail ring phase that came to an abrupt halt early this fall).
I think knowing how to dress for your body is REALLY important. I tend to buy most of my pieces at the mall so i guess they arent original but the way i put them together with accessories or the way i wear my hair or makeup with them makes them unique to my style... i like to think so anyway haha
hey hun! it's karin, you know, doodie's karin. i have no idea how i got here but your blog rocks!!!
i think you made a lot of interesting points in your post... i totally identify with your statements about american eagle being boring and bebe being over-the-top. there is something to be said about the way women feel they should dress these days.
as far as how my clothes reflecting my identity... i feel the best and most "myself" when i am comfortable - when i'm not worrying about my chest flying out, my skirt flying up, or my hair falling into my face. my favorite clothes and my "style" is no nonsense... because i'm no nonsense. i guess you could say my favorite outfit would be one where all you see is me and not my clothes; when i'm not thinking about what i am wearing at all, when it's just me.
i think an interesting exploration would be what we think of other people and how they dress. i know if you see me out and about or at a club you might think i listen to a certain type of music or i live a particular style of life. does this mean i want to be something other than i am because my clothes don't match what i listen to or how i live?... or is this just the diversity of humanity... after all, don't we appreciate people more who aren't the head-to-toe manifestation of the art they enjoy or the city they live in? i know i do.
this is also interesting when you take your career into consideration. as an interior designer i have a specific style i use in creating a space, and when presenting to a client i have to express that style in my clothing as well, it's all a package. do i always want to do this, no. but i'm selling an image, literally, and i have to take it all into consideration. i hate the fact that my clothes say so much about me, but maybe & unfortunately, i have finally realized that my clothes say a lot to the people around me.... they are the introduction that never happens on the underground, the reason i get a better seat on an airplane, and definitely the reason i get better service at a showroom than my casually dressed compadre.
Just this morning as I was getting ready to go to work i made a sober decision to protest the typical "office clothes" that drive me up the wall! Since I've got a sit-down, computer based job, i absolutely no point in wearing heels, strict pants, and SUITS to work everyday. It annoys me. I am a firm believer in a unique identity, and getting to work looking like everyone else is absolutely the opposite of everything I belive in. So I am in jeans, high heel boots and bright turquoise top...just coz the grey office life can you some colour.
Hello. And Bye.
Well hello anonymous
good evening dudes. I'm actually into shoes and I was looking allowing for regarding that singular brand. The prices for the boots were about 300 pounds on every page. But finally I set this site selling them someone is concerned half price. I exceptionally want these [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will absolutely purchase these. what is your opinion?
good morning people. I'm really into shoes and I had been looking as far as something that meticulous brand. The prices as regards the sneakers are around 250 dollars everwhere. But completely I bring about this location selling them someone is concerned half price. I really want these [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will probably order those. what can you tell me about these?
Post a Comment