The Economics Of Style

So, my last post is taking on a little growth, and instead of trying to flush it out behind the scenes, I figured we can work it out together. I was speaking with a very pleasant woman who works at Macys.com, and I presented my very novice ideas on style. She suggested some things about economy and its connection to comfort that piqued my interest.

Nostalgia holds its greatest power in the fact that it is a comforting memory. Warm and fuzzy; it takes us back to a time where we remember things as safer. Of course, time is always hectic and intense, but the memories we look back on as "good" seldom harbor the negative tint of those times. When times get tough we revert back to these things, and using contemporary events as an example, flashbacks happen when comfort is needed. Embracing those elements helps get us through bad spells until we can move into periods of prosperity.

The questions that I have yet to flesh out, and plan on doing so with this, is to see, historically if these sentiments hold weight in the long run. How much more creative and innovative are we when times aren't tough, and is there any data to back that up? This of course ties into music, and other facets of creative expression; all of the outlets that one would expect to fall under the umbrella of a discussion about style over substance.

The Futuristic Vintage Man of Yesteryear & Tomorrow

When I was younger, I was obsessed with the idea that time travel could cause galactic collapse if done improperly. The possibility that a limbo could be created where we are all trapped in a loop of things past, present and future baffled me, until I grew up and realized I was to live in such a great time.

Now that Fashion Week 2008 has passed us, I’d like to be able to offer that I have learned enough about fashion for the next season to make an educated selection of wardrobe items. Not the case. I have, however, noticed an aggregated movement towards the older elements in every facet of dress.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have taken vintage through the actual feel and look of its fabrics, with aged sepia-esque color schemes and rigid, narrow cuts. Michael Kors has fallen in line with a similar approach with stylings that mix “timelessness & tabloid.” Marc Jacobs’ Marc has upped the sophistication of his line, which apparently recalls the Perry Ellis grunge feel. It’s nostalgia in every stitch.

The takeaway from this is the same vibe of nostalgia that ebbs in music criticism, the inescapable element of referencing. Fabric DJ’s who progress certain newer elements (different stitching techniques- new looming processes- horizontal corduroy) with older, refreshing takes from the old school. The most exciting aspect seems more so the combinations that are possible, instead of the actual “new development” in fashion. And this idea helps to strengthen the bond between fashion and music further. It’s not necessarily a twilight zone, just a Sepia hallway, with lighter & more drastic tones; it both sounds, and looks like the changes of fall colors are in full effect.

On Cool

If you worry about whether or not you are cool or uncool, chances are you are probably uncool. Whether or not cool is a facade or something deeper is not the issue. Cool is the lack of the anxiety over being cool.

Green Jeans

Planet Earth Clothing has gone green and introduced an environmentally friendly clothing line, using naturally organic and sustainable materials. To ex-skaters, the name will be familiar from the monthly CCS catalog. Aside from birthday cards sent by distant relatives, CSS catalogs were the only piece of mail I received as an someteen. If I remember correctly, Planet Earth decks were a little too wide for my tastes and their artwork seemed so-hippie to my adolescent tastes. Few could compete with the Jason Lee deck for Blind that I had my eye on.

Now, Planet Earth don't seem so out of touch. Their earth-friendly name and artwork have aligned nicely with their environmental interests. A pair of their Green Jeans are almost as bad-ass as that Jason Lee deck. The jeans feature a vintage low fit and now are only available in gray. They are a 52/48 hemp cotton blend which aims to reduce the pesticides and fertilizers used to grow cotton for denim production.

Check the Planet Earth website for more Green Label styles and clothes.

Planet Earth