On Helium:
http://www.helium.com/knowledge/55135-fashion
there is a series of articles about getting out of a fashion rut. Of course, advice to men is typically "If you wear a suit, try jeans". I thought I'd push the case for skirts....
I'd like to zoom out from the individual's problem with being in a fashion rut, and broaden it to encompass one half of the world's population, in particular the male population of the western world. I am talking about men's choice in what they get to wear.
To misquote an article from this thread “If you're wearing the same style clothing, as men did 100 years ago, you are in a rut! You need to get OUT of that rut!” This only concerns men, and what they wear on their legs.
Excuse me while I mix some metaphors...
Fashionwise, at the start of his life the male child stands at the entrance to the Grand Canyon, facing downstream; there is only one way for him to go. He is handed a pair of trousers and told 'Here you are, wear these for the rest of your life'. His journey along the great fashion rut has started. Some men climb the walls of the canyon and break free, but the majority are content to go with the flow.
By contrast (and keeping to the river analogy), a female child stands at the end of the river Nile, facing downstream and can see the Nile delta opening before her; there is a multitude of ways she can go. She is told 'There is a whole world of clothing out there; take what you want and use it how you will'. I appreciate that women have their own particular problems, but here we're talking fashion as seen through a man's eyes.
In these days of sedentary, desk-bound occupations there is really no requirement for men to wear only trousers. Women manage to do a desk job in a skirt, so why not men? And sitting in a skirt is far more comfortable, which could aid productivity. I'll not deny that there are times when trousers are more practical, but surely men deserve the choice as well.
“If you only wear jeans and Tee's, try some cotton Dockers and a polo shirt. If you only wear suits, try wearing some Dockers and a polo shirt” Always trousers. How about trying a modern kilt or, in the hot weather, a sarong; not one of those flimsy girly things, but a proper man-sized sarong which is 3ft by 5ft. And before you say “I can't wear a kilt, I'm not Scottish”, that's nonsense; you don't have to be a Scot to wear a kilt. If you think a skirt will make you gay or that you have to dress up and pass as a woman – think again; it's a piece of cloth cut and sewn to cover both legs at the same time, rather than each leg individually. Wear a skirt as a man, retaining your masculinity in the same way that women manage to wear trousers and retain their femininity.
“Head to the nearest good department store and search out a personal fashion consultant. They'll help you find clothing that suits not only your body type, but your lifestyle.” Unfortunately, all they will do is push you back into the trouser rut because they just don't have the imagination or, more importantly, the stock to give you something different.
When you look in your wardrobe and all you see is trousers, trousers and trousers, don't you think “Wouldn't it be nice to have an alternative"? On a fine morning which promises to turn into a hot, sunny day, don't you wish you could wear something loose, flowing and cool (like a skirt) with sandals, instead of having the prospect of spending the day trussed up and sweating in trousers with clumpy shoes and socks – and possibly a tie? I know which I'd rather have!
Charlie
How to get out of a fashion rut
-
Charlie
- Member Extraordinaire
- Posts: 679
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 8:52 pm
- Location: Somerset, England
How to get out of a fashion rut
If I want to dress like a woman, I'll wear jeans.
-
Departed Member
