EVERYTHING I WANT TO WEAR RIGHT NOW IS INSPIRED BY 90s CHARMED

Cast yourself back two months ago, when Christmas hung in the air and on your tree. It was during this time that I found myself with a month off work (!) and I decided that this time was to be spent scrambling to read all the books that I said I'd read over the past year, consuming copious amounts of chocolate and re-watching the entirety of 'Charmed'. It was during this last one, when unexpectedly my perspective of fashions now was reframed, coming into focus through the lens of fashions then. 

Fashion, in its essence, is a continuous rip off of itself. It's cyclical in that it's in a constant state of recycling. New fashions are often only as new as the audience is young. Those older generations having lived through many a revival/rehash/reboot, vice those of youth experiencing a trend for the first time. 

Myself, still clinging on to the young side of thirty, have noticed firsthand many of my tween noughties outfits making a return - bootleg jeans, diamante decal, bandanas, etc - and though having lived through the 90s, my fashion choices were at the directive of my mother. Yet, I have always considered myself to have a good grounding of the 90s aesthetic. However, it wasn't until I recently re-watched 'Charmed', that I truly appreciated just how much of the current fashion climate is not merely a throwback, but a complete temporal time warp. 

Having watched 'Charmed' as a teenager, my overwhelming feeling was that the fashion (especially as the series went on) centred on sex, amping up the fact that these are women, beautiful women and they are powerful. They can kick your ass and do it with cleavage exposed and heels on (it's worth mentioning that their professional successes are also documented, but even work attire features much navel). 

Perhaps this was the climate of the time, as 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' did much of her slaying in tight leather trousers. They embody a type of feminism that embraces a women's right to be sexy (overtly if she so desires) and powerful, the two being entwined not mutually exclusive. However, as a tween whose style included such layering as to implore my grandmother to tell me to wear less clothing; the stylings of the 'Charmed' ones were opposed to my own. Of course television affords an element of theatre - sex sells after all - but through older eyes (and myself now owning a cleavage) their fashion has taken on renewed relevance. 

 

The three sisters epitomise different facets of the 90s aesthetic; Prue, the eldest and sexiest; Piper, reserved, loves a twin-set and Phoebe, flirty, midriff forever bared. I began to make a mental list of all the items I fancied, the items that I owned and the items that I'd seen whilst perusing the highstreet - I gave up after the first few episodes. 

The list included but was not limited to; square necklines, string strapped camisoles, tops with key-hole cutouts, cropped-tops, cropped tie-fronted cardigans, cargo trousers, mom jeans, indigo washed denim, trousers with deep turn-ups, leather blazers, chunky heeled boots, square toed boots... Every outfit quintessentially 90s and thus ironically 'very of the moment'. 

From the newly positioned perspective of ten years later (& older), the fashion of 'Charmed' has become quite the distraction. The entertainment factor of the ass kicking trio is now overwhelmed by the sartorial inspiration each provide. Action goes unnoticed, storylines become insignificant and dialogue is mute as focus is diverted to adding lookalike items to my shopping cart. As I'm typing this I'm wearing a long sleeved, square necked top with dark wash jeans and I'm eyeing up a pair of stomping boots, I think making me the fifth member of 'Charmed' (can't forget about the Season 4 shock discovery of half sister witch Paige, duh!).

Whilst highlighting the return of the 90s is not necessarily newsworthy, what is noteworthy is one's ability to draw inspiration from things previously overlooked. As today's 'it girls' and 'influencers', repurpose classic pieces as the new trend, aiding in exposing a whole new audience to the past (whether knowingly or not!) the me of now takes comfort in confirming that the me of then, knew who the original cool girls were. How charming.    

(Photos via : fanpop.com, whowhatwear.co.uk, teenvogue.com, harpersbazaar.com, telltaletv.com, charmed.fandom.com)

HOW TO SHOP TO SAVE THE PLANET

I love fashion. I love clothes. I love shopping.

The latter has become somewhat problematic. I have always tried to adopt a thoughtful approach to shopping, as in before a purchase, I pose the question, "do I love it?". Depending on the answer, the item is either left, or bought to set up residence in the comfort of my welcoming wardrobe. 

More recently, I have tried to expand this thoughtfulness to more than just material love. I have made a conscious effort to think more broadly. Still I consider how much I like the item. Then I think about the potential outfit possibilities. Of course cost factors into it. But now I think about the environmental impact. Am I buying into a trend or is this a lifelong item? What is it made from? Where did it come from? And more and more am I choosing to buy my wears secondhand to fulfil many of the above quandaries.

I am not against fast-fashion. It makes fashion attainable for the masses. However, I am not ignorant to the issues of mass production and the impact that fashion waste has on the environment. Following Stacey Dooley's documentary 'Fashion's Dirty Secrets', I was truly astounded by the fact that fashion is the third most polluting industry (after coal and oil). 

Focusing on the fabrics used, I was also shocked to discover the devastation caused by the irrigation of cotton crops. A material I had thought to be 'good' beforehand. However, the amount of water needed to grow cotton was illustrated by a camel strewn desert that had once been the thriving Aral sea of Kazakstan. I had read about cheap clothing and the even cheaper labour used to make said garments, but was struck by the true cost of these items to the environment. I set out to become more clued up, as ignorance was no longer an excuse.

And it would seem that many have had this awakening of conscience, as the impact on the climate has transcended to that of the fashion climate. The recent BAFTA awards added a caveat to the dress code that requested stars re-wear or hire clothing over buying new. And when asked what she hoped to see more of on the runways, Anna Wintour expressed her hope that designers "would be mindful of sustainability and clothes that are meaningful and made to last". Which was the exact message that informed Mulberry England's LFW show as looks were accessorised with the mantra "low waste is good taste".   

Websites like Vestiaire Collective, By Rotation Collective and the OG, eBay have risen in popularity, as not only can a bargain be found, but the lesser impact on the environment is priceless. Re-wear, repair and recycle has become a mantra to be lived by. And although any and every effort to aid in the reparation of the environment is to be commended, it is very much the zeitgeist to embrace buzzwords for the sake of a hashtag and increased insta cred. However, in this instance I would adopt the adage 'all publicity is good publicity' as despite the motivation, the environmental impact is still lessened nonetheless.

With the collective focus shifting from trend-led to trend-less, it is far easier to shop better. Of course shopping less is the most beneficial, but banning oneself completely is not necessarily a viable answer. Whilst abstaining from ever buying an item of clothing ever again is unlikely, shopping smarter is something that we can all educate ourselves on. Whether you call it charity shopping, vintage shopping, thrifting; shopping secondhand is not only better for the environment but the satisfaction of finding a long sought after item is addictive. 

I recently set myself the goal of shopping vintage alternatives to new items that I have been fancying. My first item of choice was a leather blazer. I trawled eBay and found so many great options and then by chance wandered into a charity shop and amongst the misshapen jumpers, found the leather blazer. Good quality, good price and good for the environment. 

My second item was a trench coat. I almost bought one in the H&M sale (I'm not impervious to a high street bargain, though my restraint has grown). Said H&M variation was deceivingly heavy, which was not something I was necessarily looking for in a trench and the belt was missing. I walked away and would you believe it, the very next day I found the perfect trench coat in none other than my mother's Antique shop. The satisfaction was tangible and the purchase, a sustainable one.

I am a person that loves the story of clothes. I love people asking where I bought something from and seeing their reaction when I divulge its charity shop origin, or it's scandalously marked down price. Whether it was stalked on resale sites, found forlorn on a sale rack or discovered in a charity shop having lived a lifetime already. My love of clothing is more than the material, which to some might not make sense. But from a painstakingly shy child to an introverted adult, clothing has been the voice that I never had, my vehicle for non-verbal communication, telling the world that I am here and yes, my clothes are fabulous! 

Whilst I can appreciate that not everyone likes the thought of wearing preowned garments, eBay is full of items still with the tags on, or items bought for that special occasion, never to be worn again. And with the rise of apps to rent the latest fashions, even the newest of trends can be bought into guilt-free. And for those that like the highstreet, current season items often feature on resale sites, so a bargain needn't mean old and outdated. 

Shopping secondhand may be a second thought (or even an afterthought), but with the dialogue shifting to alleviate the stigma surrounding preowned clothing, it's almost a disservice to buy new, when much of current fashion is a reimagining of years gone by. Seeking out vintage alternatives is a thrill that's rewarding both financially and economically. And it is this reconsideration of consumption and shift in shopping habits that is necessary for impactful change. Though that new outfit may be of the utmost importance for this weekend; energy needs to be syphoned into outfitting the world with true sustainability. Longevity truly is trendless.  

(Photos : Unknown)

411 ON INTERESTING THINGS

New Year, same commitment to consistency. Plus sharing is caring, so welcome back to my composite list of all things interesting. 

With Harry and Meghan taking a hiatus from their roles as senior Royals, Love Island taking over the winter TV schedule and Rachel and Ross' baby Emma, finally having woken up from her nap; 2020 has set off with equal parts socio-political and pop-cultural furore. And with Storm Ciara imminently set to hit the UK, what better way to keep up-to-date with all things newsworthy from the comfort of your bed, than by reading on below...

In Conversation with...

If you were to be a fly on the wall in any conversation, I feel that this would be it: Anna Wintour interviewed by Rihanna. This Vogue video, 'Ask Anna' features revelations about the bob, discusses Rihanna's absence from the 2019 Met Ball and Anna's fashion regrets. Perhaps most interesting though, is the rapport between the two. Rihanna, the queen of side-eye and sass and Anna, the perennial sunglasses wearer of stoic style, both goofing around. It's worth a watch just to hear Anna chuckle and to find out when Rihanna's album is dropping...

New Year, New Mindset

What better way to begin the first of twelve months than with a shift in perspective. The adage 'fake it till you make it', implies an element of the imposter and pretence, as opposed to proactively working towards a goal. This article posits that a change of language is conducive to tangible progression. Though this could be viewed as semantics, the reconsideration of perspective is an encouraging new thought in these long, gloomy days. Read on for positive words and watch them translate into positive vibes.

Transatlantic Beauty

Many a New Year's Resolution was made come the strike of midnight on the 1st January. Promises of exhaustive use of gym memberships, a renewed dedication to abstinence from chocolate, commitment to reading more than just one's Twitter feed... My resolution (or one of) was to overhaul my skincare regimen. Having watched Riverdale's Madelaine Petsch's extensive beauty routine, mine felt lack lustre. However, for those that don't have the equivalent time of a 'Lord of the Rings' marathon to get ready; read here, for skincare routines from around the world. Informative and indulging everyone's desire to be nosey.

Stay Where You Are

Christmas may be over, but the remnants of the bills are still lingering, so, what with us being proper adults here (or at least attempting to be), a trip away may not be wise right now. However, Coveteur are getting thrifty in encouraging you to consider the staycation. Revisit your own city from the perspective of an outsider, which yes, does include embracing all those cringey touristy things that usually bring about an eye roll. However, with an open mind and a fresh perspective, you never know what you may discover to be your new favourite place. 

Umm...

To conclude on what is most definitely the oddest thing that I have ever seen. Despite my usual fondness for words, I'm still not quite able to verbalise what this is. Julianne Hough in an interpretive dance? Orgasm? Exorcism? All of the above? It has to be seen to be understood and even then, you might not. But if you do, please get in touch and explain it to me. 

(Photos via: prettygirlssweat.com, unknown)

I TRIED, & FAILED, AT MINIMALIST DRESSING

Last year my fashion proclivities morphed into something more minimalist. Fashion decisions became more considered, and whereas previously my ethos was to only buy what I loved; now, it was to buy only what I needed. To invest in quality over trends. It was a paring back of my stylistic impulses, in a bid to be more thoughtful in my buys and avoid waste (as much as for my bank balance as for the environment).

Having already expounded upon the virtues of the white t-shirt, black trousers and most recently, the common vest, my wonts became predicated solely by practicality. For some time I enjoyed the ease at which this enabled me to get dressed. There was no deciphering what made sense, items had an inherent synchronicity. White t-shirt, blue jeans and black jumper, or black t-shirt, black jeans and camel jumper. The only thing differentiating one day's look from another was a slight variation in colour and swapping between accessories. 

Whilst on a five day trip with nothing but my carry-on as companion, I employed this means of dressing to much self-congratulation. Due to space limitation, superfluous clothing was not possible, instead items mandated multi-purpose capabilities. For this five day trial period, staple pieces aided in quick transitions between adventures. Come in from a long day of exploring, wash, change, head out for the evening, bed, sleep, wake and do it all over again. Getting dressed was a necessity not a priority and thus the accidental minimalism began. 

Soon my fascination with minimalism spread to my instagram perusal too as I favoured more minimalist accounts (see Tar Mar, RosieHW and Matilda Djerf). Getting dressed was done with my eyes closed, which is not meant as a brag, more a consequence of complete boredom. Colour palettes were neutral, style was simplistic and cuts were classic. I was trendless, I was perfectly put together and I was stylistically stunted. There was no frantic flinging of clothing, squeezing into one thing, only to shimmy out of another. Instead, getting dressed was just a necessary mundanity. The excitement and frustration was no more. 

The act of clothing myself had been cathartic, a preparation of body and mind before interacting with the real world. It allowed me to present an image curated at the behest of however I may have felt at any given time. The definition of minimalism suggests a moderate approach to dressing and dogged commitment to essentials and in adopting this, my wears had been whittled down to that of a uniform. The unexpected inspiration that often comes from no where and everywhere, no longer affected my proclivities. The formula was set and through the motions I went...

It wasn't until I discovered Maren Schia that my monotone dressing came into focus. I was inspired by her matryoshka layers, commitment to colour and unexpected silhouettes. It was 'out there' enough to be considered aspirational, but relatable enough that one felt could be recaptured. Classic pieces were featured but they were paired unexpectedly, colours were clashed and prints were the antithesis of boring. 

I quickly realised that whilst figuring out minimalism, the purpose of staples had become obfuscated. They were pieces to be worn over and over again, they were often overlooked and they could be considered boring, but they were pertinent to a well-rounded wardrobe and were often the saviour of many a snoozed alarm. What began as an exercise in upgrading the quality of my current staples, unknowingly became a quest to reach the illusive status of chic, an aesthetic that I admire, but is not comfortably my own.

Though a whole outfit of basics is functional and some days do warrant easy, thoughtless dressing; not having that visual stimulus nurtured a feeling of bland within me. The epiphany made me realise that part of the function of staple pieces are their ability to provide a practical foundation on which can be built whatever the wearer desires: minimalist, maximalist and in between. A white t-shirt is only as exciting as the wearer and as such, only as boring. The key pieces from my time as a rookie minimalist will forever remain key pieces. However, now they will be the backdrop to offset whatever statement I intend to wear, and make. Consider it maximising your minimalist wears. 

(Photos via: Unknown, @matildadjerf, @tarmarz & @marenschia)

THE VEST: A GUIDE TO EMBRACING THE BASICS

Basics have garnered a bit of a bad rep. They are in essence basic.  

Though there was an upturn in popularity during the 2014 advent of Normcore, when fashion became overwhelmed by swathes of beige and Stan Smiths. The season was a palette cleanser and whilst 'Normcore' has phased out of the zeitgeist, the essence of minimalism has remained under the catchy moniker, 'basic bitch'. The term 'basic bitch' connotes unremarkable style and an embracement of sameness, though it must be said that the fundamentals of many a must-have wardrobe are founded upon basics. 

It was whilst ruminating over my own wardrobe that I began to reconsider the significance of basics to my own style. Having already mused over the perfect white t-shirt (FYI see M&S) and my newfound proclivity for black trousers; I turned my focus to the most basic of basics - the vest. Previously I had never considered the vest a necessity. They were undergarments to be worn for purposes of modesty (usually under blouses for work) or as an extra layer for warmth.

However, the vest has had a fashionable metamorphosis of late, from the typical attire of gym-goers and holiday-makers, to more modern variations befitting all manner of occasions. There's the classic racer-back, those that feature an almost racer front, those with square necklines, high necklines, spaghetti straps, thick straps, rhinestoned straps, asymmetric straps, multi-straps...

For many, the vest is synonymous with 90s minimalism, Calvin Klein simplicity and Kate Moss circa the Johnny Depp phase. In a slightly different vein, my first pop culture reference of the vest was that of Onslow from the British sitcom 'Keeping Up Appearances'. His character epitomised a lazy lout image, with his particular brand of vest more couch potato than couture. However, the director of Vogue Ukraine, Julie Pelipas wearing a simple tank top to the haute couture shows, shifted my perception of the common vest and informed the dramatic trajectory it would thus take. The very simplicity of her outfit ironically being the thing that stood out amongst all of the paparazzi peacocking.

And it was due to this simplicity that the outfit was both considered impossibly chic and unusually accessible, resulting in its viral appeal and mass recreation. With this in mind, plus my newfound commitment to the essentials (and in spite of the UK now being in deep winter), I continued my search for the perfect vest. I considered it an investment, to be worn whenever the temperature allowed it - which will probably be for two days of freak heatwave come mid-March (hi climate change).

I opted firstly for a ribbed, square necked version from H&M which unfortunately gaped at the underarms. Unless I committed to keeping my arms perennially by my side, (but how would I scroll instagram?) I had to keep searching. I then almost bought a vest from & Other Stories. However, my temptation was thwarted by the very off-putting shipping costs - when postage costs more then two trips to Starbucks, I'm out - sorry not sorry.

I had resigned myself to postponing my search indefinitely, when I wandered into TKmaxx and happened upon a stand designed to play upon the guilt induced by the overindulgence of Christmas; a rack of gym wear. Myself not owning a gym membership or possessing the inclination to go to a gym, almost overlooked the display. That is until I saw the rail of vests.

And these weren't your typical gym vests. There wasn't sight of spandex or a garish colour amongst them all. They were black, high necked and backed, with the slightest racer back shaping and the most tactile of fabrics that implores one to touch. As with all things TKmaxx, prices are low but so too are quantities. I thus bought the two available and skipped out of there to live happily ever after.

In spite of the weather conditions being less than optimum for vest wearing, my vest has surprisingly be worn numerous times (albeit as a foundation piece buried under layers). However, this only aids to emphasise the inherent versatility when one invests in basics. Beach or bar, bed or office and everything in between, be you more Onslow or more fashion director, the common vest is the commonality between all manner of people and places. How refreshing that the conundrum 'to be fashionable or to be practical?' has now been answered by the tiny piece of fabric that is the vest, finally making the question that had plagued us all, a redundant one.

(Phots via : thezoereport.com, manrepeller.com, teenvogue.com, harpersbazaar.com & @matildadjerf instagram)

VICTORIES OF 2019 : MASTERING THE CARRY-ON

Today marks the end of the year; the deep inhale of breath as we exhale 365 days worth of life lived, the peaks, the troughs and the Mondays, only to wake up to a whole new decade. It's hard not to become a little reflexive this time of year and it's important to acknowledge all that has happened, congratulate oneself on the good and learn from the not so good. It was during my own bout of self-reflection that I realised that I had conquered something that had previously escaped me: I had managed a week away with only a carry-on, and a small one at that.

Now the build up to this statement may have been steep and I'm sure some were disappointed by what they perceive to be an easy feat. However, having spoken previously of my struggles with packing, particularly packing for specific occasions and hotter climes, this was an accomplishment. The difference from previous packing attempts was that I decided to think practically, something that all too often alludes me. 

I started with the basics: one pair of black jeans. I opted for straight legged as opposed to skinny for the purpose of comfort, but I must admit that I find the shape far more modern than its drainpiped cousin. Unsure of what the nightlife would behold, I chose a pair of black leather trousers, an easy day to night transitional piece. Shoes; I chose my chunky black and silver Nike Falcon trainers and a pair of black boots with exaggerated silver buckles (because practical but make it fashion). 

I followed up with two plain t-shirts, one grey and one white as just incase filler pieces. Then I packed two long sleeved, polo necked tops, navy and cream and because I needed some quirk to break up the mundanity of all this practicality, I packed a tie-dye blue and orange polo-neck too. I took a black band t-shirt and a black jumper because anything black is a saviour. I decided to take my bright green, Barbour puffer jacket which conveniently rolls into a nifty bag hidden in the pocket - again practical but fun with an exclamation. To round it out I packed a vest (my grandmother's voice echoing the importance of one) and a going out blouse in case we found ourselves somewhere fancy - we didn't.

I travelled in a pair of black trousers, that despite appearing formal (I also wear them to work) have a considerable amount of stretch, making them almost yoga pant-like. I wore the previously mentioned white t-shirt, buckled boots, leather jacket and black jumper slung over my shoulders and took a big black scarf and the most travel-friendly black and gold vintage Moschino cross-body bag. It was probably the chicest I had ever looked at the airport and *almost* most importantly, I was comfortable.

Of course space limitation meant that some items were worn more than once. However, due to the relatively neutral colour palette and each items' versatility, everything was interchangeable and with every new combination, a sense of accomplishment buoyed up inside of me, as I smugly congratulated myself for my apparently limitless ingenuity. The aesthetic was pared back, with the lack of excess refreshing. Each item was chosen with purpose and the subsequent cohesion of all the pieces meant that details came into focus as opposed to vying for attention.

My takeaways from the experiment were that sometimes practicality must be considered, though should not be a stifling factor; a carefully chosen colour palette aids in indecisiveness and is combative for the unknown (i.e changes in weather - pile everything on); unplanned events are navigated with anything black and/or leather for day or night; and two pairs of shoes are advisable due to the eight million steps that are mandatory on all holidays.

I can't say that I adopted this means of dressing once I returned home, alas my restraint is weak. However, for future gallivanting all of the above will be employed. I must add that other milestones have been reached during this year. However, this particular one needed to be documented for future reference. It is also a reminder to commend the little victories as they do so often get eclipsed by the messiness of life. So here's to many many more big and small victories in 2020, may we acknowledge and take heed of them all!  

(Photos via: unknown, style caster.com & the window.barneys.com   

UNLIKELY ICONS : THE BIG BANG THEORY

The 'Big Bang Theory' almost made my head go bang, when late night bingeing turned into sartorial appreciation.

As with most things this time of year, to avoid the bitter cold I sought refuge in the comforting embrace of Netflix. It was after one such headlong binge that I discovered 'The Big Bang Theory' - a programme that I had long associated with past uni days when it was the only respite from the endless stream of 'Friends' nostalgia. It began as easy watching, background noise if you will, yet 12 seasons later I was hooked and it was for reasons most unexpected.  

It was unassuming at first, my focus rested solely upon their off kilter friendships, aptitude for big words and dry witticisms. Of course I noticed their zany outfits. Though initially I saw their worth as a prop to visually signify their general cluelessness to all things other than genius level smarts. 

Actually I'm not quite sure when I noticed the fashion as anything more than a vehicle to promote their brand of 'geekiness'. I can't even say that it was one particular outfit, perhaps it was the immersion of watching back-to-back seasons? Whatever the genesis, once my attention had been piqued, I was fixated and in all honesty, I can't believe I hadn't noticed it sooner.

For those in need of a little more convincing, let's begin with what is perhaps the most striking; colour. Primary colours, all the colours, in one outfit and in all the outfits. As a group they look like Mr Tumble's back-up dancers. However, the brash colours are contagious, perhaps it is the contrast they provide to the bleak weather? or perhaps the festive cheer has finally taken me in? 

Either way the colour is impactful, whether clashed or worn monochromatically. Howard, the most colourful of the quad, favours an arrestingly tonal look. Donning many an untypical hue of skinny trouser, which thus informs the rest of his outfit, often leaving him the personified embodiment of a Crayola. 

In contrast, Raj's outfits are of a subdued palette reminiscent of the AW19 collections, favouring rust, toffee and caramel tones. In one particular episode, Raj wore an argyle jumper, brown corduroy trousers, white ribbed socks and black and white checkered Vans slip ons. A quick flick through instagram and one could be mistaken that I hadn't just listed the wears of every influencer over the past 6 months. 

Pattern, in all manner of rendition is heavily featured; checkered, plaid, the occasional floral. Sometimes worn as shirts, sometimes as knitwear. With Burberry forever making a case for the check and Raj's staple argyle diamond knits seen at Victoria Beckham's AW19 show, it's difficult to ignore where their true smarts lie. Their style is effortless, one might even go so far as to say clueless, but it is undeniably bang on.

With the stark colours and mismatched prints, it's easy to overlook the construction of the outfits, namely the dexterous layering. Sheldon is rarely seen without a long sleeved top peeking out of his t-shirt. Embodying (albeit unknowingly) the recent suffer-vibe embraced by the likes of Proenzer Schouler and Prada. Howard's neck is forever warm in his turtle neck, layered under his selection of 70's inspired western shirts (the 70's being a trend in and of itself - hello, Chloe & Stella McCartney). Whilst Raj favours a knitted vest paired over his extensive collection of vintage shirts. Something similarly seen at Gucci who, it should be known, has long been making geek chic.

As briefly mentioned, corduroy - the fabric of the season - should be elucidated further. In a case of the chicken and the egg, what was once relegated to the stereotypical uniform of academics, is now on the bodies of fashion editors the world over. As academics then, are the Big Bang boys embracing a trend or starting one? Either way, they've garnered fashion acclaim which is on par with a Noble prize, right?

Lastly, you may think that I had forgotten Leonard, but you'd be wrong. His indelible commitment to a military-style jacket is not unnoticed. Favouring to pair khaki with everything - an undeniably smart move. And of course his forever shoe of choice, the Converse, a stalwart for all sartorially savvy. Perhaps the only downfall is Penny's example of noughties bad-taste, which contrarily has also seen its own revival.

They may say that television rots your mind, but amongst the brainiac banter, science-fiction quips and rich fashion underpinnings, I feel smarter already. 

(Photos via : metro.co.uk, stylecaster.com, pinterest, thefashiontag.com, theindependent.co.uk, thefashionspot.com, refinery29.com & tvinsider.com)