Fashion Foward: Doing The Fashion Don’ts

BY MEGHAN ROBERTS

We’ve all heard it before, the typical clichés of, “Don’t wear white after Labor Day, a feminine dress must be worn with dainty heels, and mixing prints and patterns is a definite no-no.” In fashion, it’s almost as if there is some unofficial rule book dictating the styles and trends that one must abide by, creating a dull conformity and an over-whelming predictability that often leads to a repetition of looks season after season. Fashion devotees continue to maintain their loyalty to these unwritten rules, and year after year; they tend to stay stuck in their typical fashion rut consisting of black, black, and more black color palettes and straight silhouettes.  Recently, a notable change has erupted within the industry, causing some form of fashion revolution in which the ‘don’ts’ of fashion have suddenly become ‘do’s.’
A single glimpse at any Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle magazine, or recent fashion show and it is evident that the days of classic little black dresses with simple black peep-toes are long gone. Outfits featuring brown and black cohesively, leather and lace as a pair, socks with heels, masculine boots with ultra girly dresses, and studs paired with whimsical pastels have dominated the fashion scene. Whether it is Proenza Schouler’s effortless mix of bold tribal prints with geometric patterns or Christian Dior’s combination of delicate femme laces with much tougher, masculine pieces, these unexpected mixtures are inescapable.
Although this wave of contradictory style clothing may just seem like some fashion fad that will quickly fade like last year’s unnecessarily baggy oversized clothing, the truth behind this trend is that it’s redefining the rules of fashion, and if it’s got Anna Wintour’s stamp of approval, then you know it’s something to take note of. No longer are fashion followers devoted to  a  distinct look; uniting polar opposite trends gives fashionistas a newfound freedom and system of expression that makes fashion, now more than ever, a realm of true fantasy.
“I think with this new rise of styles and contradictions, it’s bringing life back into the industry.” Senior Kelcie Pessolano said. “For a while, you knew what you were going to see next season, but now it’s kind of a guessing game, which I think that’s what fashion should be about.”
Along with providing fashionistas with an independence to strut around in what they truly desire, it’s benefiting fashion followers’ wallets. Making the grueling decision between spending your little extra cash on shopping or actually having a meal is no longer a battle you’ll have to face.  Since mixing grunge leather military-esque boots with a micro mini floral dress is no longer considered taboo, your wardrobe can be utilized in a plethora of ways. You know those basic brown tailored shorts that have been rotting away in your closet? Synthesizing an effeminate corset-style blouse, topped with a structured blazer, and painstakingly high booted stilettos, would create for a perfectly imperfect silhouette, a la Alexander Wang 2010 Fall/Winter collection.  Even CCHS students are using this trend to their advantage.
“Now that it isn’t written in stone that I have to pair leather with something such as studs, my wardrobe has expanded.” Pessolano said. “I get much more use out of my clothing now.”
Just where exactly did this sea of opposing styles sprout from? Pop-culture phenoms such as Rihanna, Fergie, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga are consistently being photographed in looks featuring this trend from their leg-bearing metallic minis united with more refined basic black Louboutins, to gritty fishnets linked with glamorous Armani frocks. But these styles didn’t just appear haphazardly, there has to be something or somewhere that they have stemmed from. Perhaps 80’s songstress Grace Jones is responsible for this fashion metamorphosis. Decades ago, the daring diva had gone against fashion standards, clashing questionable pieces and forming an androgynous and easily definable look.  Or maybe it could have been the fact that designers were sporting genderless clothing, so they began to incorporate the androgyny into their own designs.  One thing is certain however, these endless contradictions demonstrate women’s progress in society. For years, anything other than a knee grazing pencil skirt and modest blouse was considered far too promiscuous and was essentially unheard of. As women began to take on a more prominent role in the world, styles began to evolve. The more masculine pieces such as trouser pants as seen in numerous John Galliano collections that female power-houses are donning, are a representation of how their rank in society is no longer below a man’s, and the look has only graduated from there. These ‘doing the don’ts’ trends have been lurking on the fashion world for quite some time, but it’s just that now, the looks are leading in the fashion industry.
Project Runway starlet Heidi Klum’s infamous saying, “In fashion, one day you’re in, the next day you’re out,” is typically the motto for every trend in the fashion business. However,  with the style of contradictions, the lifespan is much more than a couple of seasons.  The concept of mixing and matching is one that not only breaks fashion barriers and saves us from debt, it enables our growth to be reflected in our clothing and I think it’s safe to say, will remain for years to come.