Fashion Research Booklet

BY AMBER PEEBLES

EVERY SUPERHERO NEEDS A UNIFORM.

This book contains information about what fashion and style say about a person, visually and psychologically. From articles, to online sources, and fashion magazines, the research digs deep into the mind of fashion.

Whether it be clothing, hair, accessories, etc, it all says something about the person that has it. Through these pages, there will be evidence of how fashion and style’s consciously and subconsciously used by indivuduals.

Some trends have seemed to last for ever and many carry the trends on, while others were left back in the 50’s with few trying to bring them back. No matter the case, what we wear, how our hair looks does effect our personality, work, feelings, interactions, feelings; the list could go on and on. Follow me in my short but meaningful journey to find out more.

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READING REFERENCE.

UNIFORMS IN WESTERN CULTURE BY CATHERINE LUCAS In this short essay, Catherine Lucas makes multiple valid points. It was a reading that enlightened me on some fashion trends and what they’re linked to, which I was previously not really aware of. Her essay embodies the ideas of how military uniforms influence fashion and the constantly changing trends. Lucas begins with a discussion on school uniforms and how the militant form of dress not only is a dress code for students, but it’s also propaganda in a way for the school. The uniforms are meant to state something about the intellectual status of that student body and the teachers that accompany them. Even though I thought this was an intriguing theory, I was drawn to the section on office wear for woman. Stemming from the power that higher up military individuals have, women wanted to have the same sense of control and power as well. Therefore, instead of the traditional dress or skirt, women in the workplace began to wear suits. These suits got the nickname “power suits” for this reason. I’ve got to admit, I myself do feel more confident in a professional setting while wearing a dress suit or slacks even, rather than a dress. To add, Lucas also mentions the fashion trends influenced by naval wear. I never really thought of blue jeans, with a white shirt and a “navy” blue blazer as imitating naval wear before. But I have multiple blazers in my closet that I tend to always pair with a white or black shirt and jeans. To conclude, Catherine Lucas’ essay made me realize more about uniforms and that they can truly offer “the wearer a crutch of uniformity to cling to” in the massive world of clothing choices.

THE COOLHUNT BY MALCOLM GLADWELL Gladwell definitely brings to light the ever spinning cycle of fashion trends in his essay. I found it especially interesting that the author chose to focus on “cool people” and “cool fashion” instead of discussing the “kitsch” currently. In a way, the article made it seem like the “cool” fashions are blasts from the past that people slowly bring back into being mainstream. For instance, Converse One Stars came back from the dead after the looks slightly changed. I can say that for myself I don’t always follow the here and now trends, and rather dig in my closet and find old clothes I think are still cute. Maybe that would be considered vintage to some but then maybe a horrible flaw to others. Gladwell made a point though, about how the cycle really works. “The act of discovering what’s cool is what causes cool to keep moving on.” This I find true, because someone has to discover a trend in order for it to start in the first place, so really that’s at the roots of the cycle. On a different side, I related with the discussion on logos and fashion objects. When one of the coolhunters, Baysie, did one of her experiments, it made me realize something. Sometimes, whether we like to admit it or not, we don’t buy a shirt, or shoes because of the logo stamped onto it. Not because we don’t like it or because we don’t think it’s cute. For me, its stores like Hollister or Abercrombie. I find myself straying away from their shirts or hoodies because their name is stitched all the way across the articles of clothing. I’m not one to like flashing who I’m wearing. I rather people just think it’s cute and not have the option to make judgments based on where it was bought.

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— ALEX MOSHAKIS

INSPIRATION SOURCES.

1) NEW YORK TIMES: Clothes and Self-Perception 2) VOGUE DAILY: How Clothing Affect the Mind 3) PSYCHOLOGY TODAY: The Style Imperative 4) VISUAL.LY: What Do Glasses Say About You 5) THE ATTRACTION EXPERIMENT: The Man in the Leather Jacket

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FASHION ICONS.

WHY KATE? 1) Edgy but Sophisicated 2) Jackets and More Jackets 3) Toned Down Color Clothing 4) Messy on Purpose Hair 5) Worn Jeans

WHY BLAKE? 1) Girly without the Bright Pink 2) Dark but Cute 3) Mix of Dressy and Casual Wear 4) Bold Jewelery 5) Daring Lines and Curves

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— BLAKE LIVELY

FIRST IMPRESSION.

WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO THINK WHEN THEY SEE ME. (OR SHOULD I SAY, MY ALTER EGO)

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ALTER EGO STYLE.

SQUARE, BLACK FRAMED GLASSES 1) Has a mix of intelligence and creativity 2) May have been picked on as a kid, but now has confidence 3) Might be studious but also knows how to have a chill time 4) Spends time working hard but plays hard too

TIGHT, ZIPPED LEATHER JACKET 1) Can be a tough one to break 2) In control of what happens in lifestyle 3) Does things that might have consequences 4) Gets an idea and actually follows through

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— MALCOLM GLADWELL

DARK, FITTING, PLAIN V-NECK 1) Likes some things in life to stay simple 2) More liberal than conservative 3) Not worried about being labeled or branded 4) Has a more laid back personality

LOW RISE, TORN SKINNY JEANS 1) Doesn’t feel confined with having close friends 2) Casual with a sense of style 3) Likes to keep parts of the past in mind 4) Doesn’t mind things not always being new

LONG, CHOPPY LAYERED HAIR 1) Not too shy to just walk up and talk to someone 2) Engages in a variety of situations, some awkward 3) Enjoys just letting loose after long days 4) Girly but also still sticks to some tomboy ways

PETITE, THINLY STRAPPED WATCH 1) Pays attention, but sometimes has a wondering mind 2) What is done with time is more considered and precious 3) Tries to fit in a lot of activities to be as social as possible 4) Always is doing a countdown to the weekend

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— ALEX MOSHAKIS

AMBER PEEBLES

FOR VISC 404: HOSSLER

STYLE IS LINKED TO CONFIDENCE.