It looks like 2018 is set to be the year of the 'unfashionable', as fashion duds reach the top of every 'do' list quicker than you can say ensembly challenged.
For some I'm sure the very real possibility of wearing sweats and slides out in public, to the furore of the youth of today, with the encouragement of fashion publications and without reproach, brings about a squeal of happiness. For those others who nary read a fashion do-list, let alone enact its questionable instruction, this may be a moot point. For me, however, I can't help but feel conflicted.
Yay to expression and wearing whatever you want and being free to wear your every fancy yada yada yada. But with balaclavas, Grandpa style sweaters (termed so by Vogue nonetheless), transparent outfits, ugly trainers (no longer relegated to gym wear, now, instead paired with, shock horror, suits *gasps*), indigo denim ("it's B*Witched reimagined for 2018" - Vogue) and kitten heels still purr-ading down the catwalk, it leaves me wondering if I'm out of the joke?
The pages read more like a how-to in dressing like Britney Spears circa head-to-toe denim, pre-umbrella fiasco; crop tops, bootleg indigo jeans, kitten heels, finished with a bumbag for good measure. Dressing down is even more questionable, look to any and all of Kim K West's recent outfits; clad in cycling shorts - contrary to their intention, no cycling is ever undertaken - paired with thick white tube socks, chunky running shoes and puffer jacket to disguise her body from looking like, a body - let alone one of the most envied bodies in the world. 'Pre-Kanye, mid Herve Leger body-con boom Kim', would scoff at the thought.
I've written about bad taste vs good taste before and concluded that it rests largely with personal interpretation. However, with the torrent of questionable trends coming from every and all angles, it seems like the difference between good taste and bad taste no longer exists, as the dichotomy is conflated: bad taste is the new good taste. When cycling shorts and bumbags are to be aspired to and balaclavas are being proposed as viable everyday headwear by fashion authorities: Calvin Klein, Gucci, Marni and Dior; the interchangeability of good taste and bad taste becomes undeniable.
However, in a valiant attempt to remain open-minded amidst this fashion confusion, lets consider the potentially redeeming qualities of these questionable trends. To begin with; ugly trainers. They are very practical for all those life things that need to get done, so their apparent newfound fashion credibility is somewhat of a happy side effect. Bum bags - if you ignore their American moniker of 'fanny pack' - are quite chic in their newfound sleek iterations. Transparent layers can be taken as literally as personally desired. Bare nips may be too risqué for some (or not as the case may be), yet black cigarette trousers under an ethereal tulle skirt make for an interesting (yet covered up) pairing. Indigo denim offers a smart variation of the blue jean, a primness that is not all too often associated with denim, making it more workwear appropriate (look out casual Fridays) than most other denim washes.
And to conclude, despite my determined attempts to find good in all, kitten heels remain a conundrum. Take my silence as the sum of my thoughts on this one...
The point here is to adopt what you like and overlook what you don't. Though I recommend refraining from being too narrow-minded, as though questionable, these trends come with a definite dose of fun. Perhaps 2018 is less about unfashionable trends and more about fashion poking fun at itself, taking itself less seriously in opposition to the current climate of very serious political, economic and societal change.
Though I can't imagine myself wearing matrix style, narrow sunglasses - as is another rather questionable trend to surface of late - the year is young yet and there is much time for my pliable mind to be indoctrinated by social media and pop culture. Who knows, if next winter is as cold as this one past, you might see me in a balaclava (or not see me as the case may be).
(Images via: CRFashionbook.com, vogue.com, pinterest, stylecaster & The Fashion Medley)
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