The Tracksuit: Our Cultural Brain-Fart

When it Comes to "Fashion," the tracksuit is our Cultural Brain-Fart (Among Other Things, I'm Sure)

I mean, basically.

I am shamelessly addicted to Buzzfeed. I visit the website daily, religiously. It gives me everything I need with out the commitment. I can get news, trash, or hilarity. Whatever. So as I was participating in my usual routine, winding down from my day when I came across “The 21 Most Ridiculous Tracksuits of All Time.” How could I not investigate? And as someone who survived not only the windbreaker trend of the early-mid 90’s but ALSO the Juicy Couture insanity of the 2000’s this post seemed like it promised a whole lot, and I wanted to see if it could deliver.

This is for real. 

So is this.

I feel like the tracksuit was a societal commitment to never get dressed again, unless specifically required to. Like a dress code or something. It was a collective decision that we no longer, as a whole were going to put in any effort. I think since, we have tried to undo the damage. Many a conversation has been had that centered on the complaint that people just “don’t get dressed anymore.” But how do we come back from the tracksuit? How can we forget? I took some of my favorites from Buzzfeed, to demonstrate the different ways the phenomenon manifested itself. (Also, because I wanted every single person I know to see the Buzzfeed list.) There was a range of expressions, from cool, to functional, and even, believe-it-or-not, some tried to make it a sexy after 5 look. See for yourself...

Because heels makes it classier.

To be fair, I think she is doing this ironically.

Did you know Beyonce was covered in glitter? The internet did.

Sooo, This Happened…

 I write about Beyonce with trepidation, because as of yet, I have not found any critical writing about this post, which in my opinion, deserves analysis. That being said, I am in no way interested in somehow singing the siren call for all her devout followers to ruin my life, because someone, somehow felt that I disrespected the Queen Bey. I mean no disrespect, actually how could I? Like anything I say could disrupt her carefully constructed life? And honestly, as opportunity after opportunity arose to examine her influence on pop culture, I have actively declined. I have unsettled and conflicting feelings about her position within the contemporary paradigm.  Do-Not-Get me wrong. I will jam to some Beyonce just like any other self-respecting individual, but her over-all message is one I read with caution. In many ways, she seems more dangerous to me because her camp is constantly on the look out for controversy and squelches it at the earliest opportunity. She’s throwing a lot of money out there to appear as thought she is flawlessly perfect. Which leads to the problem, when is she ever critiqued? In many ways, I find her just as controversial as coke sniffing child stars. 

But the real focus of this post is NOT my fear of Beyonce and her followers, but rather, to bring to your attention a series of decisions she made recently, namely, her photo story in Flaunt Magazine. The current issues bares a nude Beyonce covered in glitter, because really, what should be better than Beyonce covered in glitter? However, the whole thing seems odd to me. Here's a link to the article if you want to read it. And the images, harvested fromFlaunt's website, are below for you to enjoy. Comment if you dare... 

Haute Couture is typically not spelled across one’s ass...

Haute Couture is not juicy and is typically not spelled across one’s ass, (However, that is not a rule-per se): What the hell is “Haute Couture” really?

 

Thanks, gabrielleteare.com

If I were to be completely honest with you, I would tell you that I have had my share of semi-boushie conversations where I preached the word of haute couture. And really, at the time, I thought I knew the truth, I was telling others what I was told. However, the problem lays within the fact that for some, haute couture has become something of a myth. Like, unicorns. I mean we know what it is supposed to look like, but what is it really? I thought I would share some of my sourced information, because the history is just as exciting as we want it to be, and contemporary couture is pushing buttons and critiquing are preconceived expectations.

Apparently the term was originally referred to a, Charles Frederick Worth’s work. House. OF. Worth. (Um, YES!) Which was produced in Paris in the mid 1800’s. Pictures? You ask. Your welcome. These images were sourced from The Metropolitan Museum of Arts's website. 

Now, as in today,  the term “Haute Couture” is actually protected by law and is defined by Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris, which is obviously in Paris, France. (All of this is confirmed via Wikipedia-Don't come for me.) It defines  “Haute Couture”  or a proper couture house as such:

•   Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.

•   Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time.

•   Must have twenty full-time technical people in at least one atelier (workshop).

Each season (i.e., twice a year), present a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirty-five runs/exits with outfits for both daytime wear and evening-wear.

Givenchy Fall 2011 Couture. I. Die.  The Fashion Spot

So all that being said, I have to confess, the Fall 2013 presentations were not what I was expecting. Those that know me, know I would rather be able to recreate the ending of Gone With the Wind, in full costume, that get married most days. However, the Schiaparelli Fall Couture collection left me feeling cold, confused, and a little used. I couldn't tell if I loved it, or totally and completely hated it with ever cell in my being. I understand it's personal taste, but that work looked like a bad fashion school freak out. Genius or Adderall induced anxiety attack? What the hell happened? And I am more than annoyed, that Tim Banks just wrote about the historic weight of having Christian Lacroix honor this woman. Seriously? Please address this SITUATION. Yes this is true, but that fact that you didn’t rave about the designs, but rather explained that her work is known for her craziness is undeniable proof you gaged on a spoon.

I am afraid to speak freely about this look. It kinda looks, shall we say, infectious? 

What the hell?

SO....We're not going to talk about that tape on the floor?

Killing me with this showroom.

I also felt like the Masion Martin Margiela was like being told Santa didn’t exist in preschool. IN some ways I feel liberated from the tierney of some stranger's rules, in another way, that means I probably wont be getting that barbie sports car. Jeans? Why? Thankfully though, those mavericks didn’t end there, as the show progressed, we got what we were searching hopelessly for. I just wish Mr. Banks could maybe expand on the trends in couture. Are we in some sort of post-modernist, post-glam-house moment in fashion? What does this all mean? Is it permanent. Just talk about it!, I'm listening! 

Enjoy the looks, drop a line. BTW all fashion show images are sources from Style.com

See what I mean?

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@jamie_glam

But what if?

But what if I never.....

 

Vivian Westwood Bridal Gown, from Rock & Roll Bride (I know none of you thought I would want a white gown, ew.)

I don’t know if it’s my age that makes me so sensitive to this, or if I am living during a real-live cultural shift. Am I surrounded by some sort of collective American panic/realization/conversation/debate about the benefits of marriage/dating?  Article-after-article, conversation-after-conversation I seem to stumble upon some sort of argument for or against marriage in this contemporary climate. And sometimes, when I want to get all worked up for a good old-fashioned panic about my eggs dying or something equally ridiculous, it is usually met with some sort of eye-roll.

What’s happening!? Aren’t I supposed to be panicked? Aren’t all of us post 25 year-olds supposed to be hysterical about the possibility of life with out some man, a blond dog, and a fence? A very close friend of mine recently broke up with her first love. We talked, she was upset, but she recently told me she is thinking of moving to China to push her career, and instead of panic for her uterus, I felt PROUD of her. Inspired.  

That stripped one is MINE (with that hat!), another Vivian Westwood masterpiece. The Statement Piece blog.

Further, to be honest, I have been on a sort of a hiatus since my last long-term relationship, and often worry/wonder if I’ll ever be in something that serious again. I can’t tell if it’s me, if I am going through some sort of warped personal crisis, or if I just really don’t want a guy around like that. I feel like more and more of the people around me are more comfortable with more “tentative” relationships. We are all are cautious, putting more limitations on our potential partners. I seem to have two types of friends, ones who are already married, or ones who seem suspicious. Not worried, suspicious.

Dita von YES! Vivian don't stop! ZIPPERCUT

Its not that I or we, don’t want to tie the knot, but I think it just isn’t turning out how I thought it would. When I think of the loves I have left behind me, I sigh, in relief. Further, I feel really lucky to have so many friends who just refuse to compromise. They want what they want, and even though it may be difficult to find, they would rather put the energy into making single, or dating life more worthwhile, then ending up stuck, with some sort of multi-thousand dollar divorce (cause that’s just messy). I also feel lucky to have smart literature to read. Dating and life advice that tells me to push myself, quit whining, and make things happen. And oddly, I feel like that is what my friends and I are doing with our love lives; we are making it happen, but on our terms.

The only dresses I dream about, they mastermind herself, Lady Vivian Westwood. Image courtesy of Miss Penny Dreadful

I joke with my friends, I say, “The next person to ask me if I regret not getting married yet, opens the door for me to ask if they regret getting married so early.” Its not that I am against the decisions others have made. I’m happy so many close friends and family have found someone to make them happy, but I feel fortunate to live in a period where I can take the time I need to find that right person for me too. 

Terri Trespicio,  photo taken from her blog. 

So yes, this was a bit of a weird personal tangent, but I bring this all up because I feel like this attitude is something that epitomizes TerriTrespicio’s blog, and I wanted to share it with you all. There are so many great topics and awesome advice I didn’t know how to exactly discuss one article. Posts like; How to Get a Guy to Commit (If That's What You Want), Why You Should Date a Man with Baggage, and my personal favorite, Fuck Fate & Date Like a Grown UP. Take some time, and browse through it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. It can be a bit difficult to swallow, but I think ultimately it’s good.