American fashion has come a long way since the days of the Puritans. The conservative nature of clothing was tested during the 1920s flapper uprising and again with the dark, tight fighting, garments of the Beatnik culture. Fashion again went to a new extreme with the free flowing hippie attire and the flashy, neon colors of the 1980s. All these subcultures presented more than clothes; they were a way of life. Now, it seems as if clothing is less about expression and more about exposing.
What’s considered trendy now can be described in two words: tight and uncomfortable. There are probably a good amount of people who disagree with me, but I will stick to my opinion. Granted, no one should be proud to walk around in clothes that resemble the early days of Roseanne. I understand that clothes have to fit, but they do not have to look like a second epidermis.
One of the biggest disappointments of 2009 has been the emergence of skinny jeans. I don’t dislike them because of the style, but for the mere fact that they are one big misconception. The sales people (aka devils in disguise) that work the floor of the stores tell you how good they fit and how comfortable they are, but it is all one big lie. You will not have a comfortable experience in these form fitting bottoms if your body shape does not resemble that of a 12 year old boy. I am a fan of the assorted colors they come in and how they look with a pair of Converse shoes, but I do not think these jeans are a realistic fit for the majority of the population. It has nothing to do with whether someone is over weight. They just aren’t made for people who have curves. So, if you’re like me, and find the skinny jean to be unappealing, I suggest you move onto something more form flattering. It appalls me that people can walk around in those jeans day in and day out. They look like they were painted on. I’m a realist and would rather not spend 30 minutes of my day trying to get those jeans over my hips.
Another item of clothing that is big on exposure is those dresses that can easily be mistaken for shirts. I’m not saying you should be a nun and cover up from head to toe, but these dresses are a bit of a stretch. I always have to ask someone if what I’m looking at is a shirt or a dress. Just like the skinny jeans, they have appealing designs and look good on TV, but they tell a different story when you actually put one on. If you are a curvier person, even more of your body will be hanging out. Some people believe that these dress/shirt disasters can be thought of interchangeably; I have to disagree. Just by looking at it I can tell that if I walked outside wearing one of them I would probably be arrested for indecent exposure.
Choose your clothes wisely. If you enjoy skinny jeans and dress/shirts, wear them. If you have second thoughts about them, your best bet may be to return these items to the rack. You can look respectable and trendy at the same time. Just because something is “in,” doesn’t mean you have to be “in” it.
