This blog is meant to record influences in my search for style in middle age. In trawling the web I occasionally come across photos of looks I like - and which no doubt influence, in some way, how I dress. Here are a few, some of which I may have used before!
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| Mr Porter - but maybe not the bow tie! |
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| Nigel Cabourn |
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| The great Fausto Coppi |
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| NATO watch strap on an elegant vintage Rolex Oyster |
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| Well, the jacket, tie and jeans work well, even if nothing else does! |
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| Kennedy in relaxed sailing mood - chinos, Shetland sweater and polo shirt. |
Hi there Grey Fox, I think it is the accessories, like the bow tie, watch, socks, belt, etc that take an outfit from the "tastefully boring" (uniform of the masses) to the more individual. Too many people want to blend in with the crowd. The real fashion people are taking risks, trying to do things their way, and trying to come up with a personal style.
ReplyDeleteStyle is something that comes from inside, if you are brave enough to let it out. Years ago, i remember seeing a man at college, who was wearing an outfit, others would think odd. He was being himself. At that moment, I thought it was better for a person to be / wear, what they really wanted to wear, versus being the person who wishes they could be brave enough to wear the outfit.
In high school a guy laughed at me for having white shoes, and called me a name. Two weeks later, he was wearing white shoes. He was jealous, and mad I had the nerve to wear the white shoes.
I say go out and be who you want to be. The Lady Gagas of the world, and other people the masses admire are letting out their inner fashion person. There are many followers in this world, but few leaders. The masses are afraid to get past their fears.
Excellent and thoughtful comments as usual. I like, "the real fashion people take risks.." I'm thinking that I may not yet be at the stage where I feel able to take risks. Blending in is so safe - some people just need to approach radical change cautiously! Thanks again - and also for your recent suggestions of sites etc. to look at, which I am following up. Best wishes, GF.
DeleteThere is a difference between "stupid dressing" , stage costumes, and "whimsical-elegance". I think a person, as long as they can attach the word "elegant" to the title of the outfit of the day, are going down the right dressing path. You can have sporty-elegant, hipster cool-elegant, country-elegant, city slicker-elegant, even odd ball-elegant. It is all about using/mixing patterns, textures and colors that all share a commonalty of colors. You are not just putting on clothing haphazardly, like a clown suit.
DeleteI find it interesting, that you Grey Fox, are on this road of self discovery. Most people interested in fashion have always loved clothing, or are letting out an inner feeling, or are making an artistic statement. Being part of the Art World, I assemble my clothing, as if I were picking out fabrics for a room, or making a visual picture.
As for blending in, I feel we hold ourselves back soo much. If you make the smallest change, after a few weeks, you will say to yourself, what was I thinking, and why didn't I do it quicker. YES, as you change, people will make comments to you, but they only do it once, because they are seeing a change. Like going from long hair to a short cut.
Dressing, assembling clothing, and going out into the world, makes you look at your self esteem. As a person makes changes, all kinds of feelings and thoughts come up. In a way you will/should be, looking at/listening to your inner dialogue to see how your inner voices are. Is your inner chatter for or against you? Is it saying go for it, or you can't do it. Also look to see if those voices say the same things in other parts of your life. The clothing (trying the new), might be just the thing to help a person grow, be more brave, get past insecurities, blossom as a person, etc.
I think the only thing people should NOT use clothing for, is to over dress, to cover up insecurities, or feel they will be ALRIGHT after making a certain purchase. That purchase, is just a quick fix, until the next insecurity raises it's ugly head.