As my grandmother and I sit watching the television show “Mad Men” we both stare in awe. It isn’t the writing that does it for me, or the characters, as much as it is the fashion. The shifting style of the early 1960’s that leaves me gleaming. A time in our history that was full of innovation and devastation. Yet, people held their dress among top priorities.
Just the other day, my grams interrupted to express her own nostalgia to me. We spoke of the pantyhose’s disappearing act, where the concern for fashion has run away to, and then she told me a story. Her eyebrows grew taller, and she began to grin as I could see those eyes envisioning her own history. She spoke to me in a soft, sweet voice as she reminisced over my late grandfather. How he always looked so handsome. Even if he was greasing over the tool bench, he was still in a pressed white button down shirt and slacks. She said that back then, men would wear collared shirts like we now sport cotton tees. Sleeves rolled up to the elbow with a fresh face, and properly parted hair. There was no leniency for a look of grunge.
Last week was spent diving into new towns, looking for plus size style on the streets. It felt more like diving for quarters in a bucket of pennies. I wasn’t expecting my red-eye train trip to be billowing with fashionistas, but California has left little amazement in these eyes. Its been weeks of flip flops, tank tops, and shorts shorter than Devito. Uh…did Old Navy have a killer end of Summer sale, or what is it?
Today, I sat in a small coffee shop outside of LA where I twirled around the idea that people have become apathetic to fashion. Are we on the brink of bringing back the loincloth? I don’t think the Northeast will appreciate that too much. Yet, there has to be some explanation for fashion’s lack of style. This is America! We’re the capital of consumerism!
After posting a plus size street style blog last Wednesday, I finally decided to gather the guts to get a few words from the locals, themselves. I wanted to know how these ladies felt about fashion, their style, and how the year long rays of sunshine affect their personal picks from the closet?
One younger gal with beautiful ear plugs, a silk scarf over her hair, and cute flats [even though she was in the coffee shop's company tee] told me her style reflects her mood. She admitted that she is spoiled with Southern California weather, but she doesn’t pass up a day to accessorize, especially when she heads to the city. She said this area lives a laid back lifestyle, and we both laughed over our detest for flip flops. She made a good point…people are laid back. Technological advancements have made our lives easier. New age style has become expressive of that mentality!
With consideration for how our clothing is used to size up one another, there is something to be said about the way our clothes make us feel. How our style expresses our varying moods, and even how it can at times cause us to feel. I do not take this in a superficial light. I just know from personal experience, I couldn’t live without those days of slipping into a “wiggle-skirt” dress while I channel the confidence from my inner Joan. Feeling sexier than ever in my own curvy hips.
So what do you think? Is style on its way to the “basics” department, or are my eyes wide shut?
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Tags: fashion, mad men, plus size, plus size fashion, plus size street style, plus size style, street style, style
