New York Fashion week is here, and so are conservative hemlines and muted color palette--could the weak dollar be to blame? Huffington Post style writer Karin Tanabe talks about how the flailing economy is translating into runway glamour that looks more Amish than anything else.
Comments [12]
In 1999/2000 cowboy hats/cowboy boots were in style as Bush, a Texan, was running for president. Then late in 2002/2003 army fatigue prints boldly emerged on runways everywhere, as we led to the invasion of IRAQ. Now in 2008, I see many women wearing Gladiator style shoes. What's up with that? What's that trying to prepare us for? Excuse me if I sound paranoid but there really seems to be a pattern here. Is it possible that forces with partisan ambitions exert influence over certain designers? We know the GOP is big on message and fashion can be a pretty powerful subliminal tool to set a mood, just something to think about.
#1, Peter,
Barrel and suspenders? That's the Diogenes look. Understated. Inscouciant. But authentic.
#7, THAT should have been read on air.
#8, Barry, I hope you're right.
I have a slightly different take on the topic. I have not seen this "Glomish" line of clothing yet, but it sounds like it is a turn in a new diretion. While I am by no means prudish, I have noticed the gradual "sliper slope" of modesty over time from "suggestively sexy" to wearing distractingly "wouldn't you love to have this?" inappropriate. When walking with my wife, I have to sometimes divert my eyes and change the topic to avoid "the conversation".
I've worked in IT in banking for many years. When IT jobs were plentiful and couldn't be filled, we were encouraged go dress casual as those in IT do rather than business as the "bankers" who see external clients. As IT jobs began waning in 2004 and since, casual went out the window. If you wanted to stay competitive, business attire became expected.
The economies not gonna tank, by the way.
It is cyclical. Just buckle down, spend less, then save your money during the next boom.
Repeat until you die.
it's actually not black but purple that's the color of mourning, so hence the color's popularity as a marker of troubled economic times. priests wear purple during lent, and as consumption is our contemporary religion, well . . . you get the picture.
No plaid!!
Doesn't anyone watch "What Not to Wear?" or "How do I look?".
NO amish and no plaid.
I would think Mad Men might influence a return to lat ;5s early '60s fashion.
I'm consistent and always dress schlubbishly.
Forgot to add,
as a petite, the long hemlines make me look boxy and frumpy, I will wear shorter dresses because they go with my figure, I choose my style, not what fashion dictates.
The move toward Hester Prynne? It's a backlash against the excesses of SJP and the "Sex and the City" line.
Glamish is, at heart, anti-consumerist. The last decade has been all about buying and throwing out. Emphasis on the buying without being able to afford it, and on contributing to consumer waste - NOT on appreciating fashion as an art.
I think it's a good sign, like buttoning up, if in vain, before the Titanic of our economy tanks.
At least it shows that fashion designers are socially conscious.
Plaid is a no go!!
I bought 3 cotton sweaters with cami tops for the fall from Victoria's Secret store online and 4 of their sweater dresses for this fall. I didn't change my spending from last year but I always make sure I get black, some purple and a few winter white sweaters to mix and match styles, wardrobe basics.
I hope my Barrel and Suspenders isnt too last season.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.