fbpx

ATTITUDE MEDIA FASHION ESSAY

YES!
Attitude: Fashion is a strange world
Introduction to Fashion byJohn F Groom

FASHIONis a strange world.

$1,000 For Ripped Jeans? Really?

Women and Men pay hundreds of dollars for jeans that look like
they’ve been torn apart – because
they have been.

Yes, You Can be Too Skinny

Clothes are modeled by women that have bodes that don’t look at all like the bodies of most women – often the women are 6 feet or taller, and extremely thin.

Everyone takes it for granted that this is what a model should look like, but why? Any why are these Amazonian women, often really girls, looking so serious as they strut the runway? Fashion is fun, right? You’re young, and healthy, and beautiful – maybe you could smile?

Why Do Designers Put Boys in Men's Clothing?

While female models don’t look anything like most women, male models are usually just better looking, more fit, but otherwise normal looking men. Except that you will often see a boyish looking 19 year modeling a suit that is really meant for 50 year old investment bankers.

Let's Stop the Tat Insanity

Gay male designers are often are in the position of deciding what is “sexy” on a woman, which is kind of strange.

And why does the fashion industry encourage this bizzare trend towards self-mutilation?

We Received This Ad In Pheonix On July 25. It Was 113 Degrees Outside!

Summer clothes arrive in stores in the middle of winter. Winter clothes arrive in stores in the middle of summer. Why is it that consumers are supposed to be excited about buying a wool overcoat when it’s 90 degrees outside?

America, You Can Do Better Than A T-Shirt, Tennis Shoes, And A Baseball Cap. Really.

There is a lot of talk about how men’s fashion is having a moment, with men’s spending on clothes supposedly rising at a faster rate than that for women. Yet, overall, as far as we can see, men across America look as terrible as ever – jeans, expensive sneakers, and a a decent shirt is considered acceptable ware for men at even very nice restaurants, and even when their date is wearing a fancy dress.

Spit On The Working Class With $1,000 Tennis Shoes

A lot of big name designers – and we do mean you, Ms. Prada, spout left wing politics while selling clothes that only the absurdly rich can afford. Let’s Spit on the Working Class; $1,000 sneakers and $800 jeans.

Armani Has Always Been A Classy Loos, And Still Is

With a few notable exceptions like Armani, the trend is away from elegance.

Naomi Campbell - We Need Spoiled Models, Why, Exactly?

The industry lionizes disgusting people like "super" model Naomi Campbell, known for facing court action after throwing her phone at one of her maids in a diva fit.

Yes, The Devil Really Does Wear Prada

Fashion industry queen, Vouge editor Anna Wintour, is so hard on her employees that her antics were memorized in the best selling book "The Devil Wears Prada" and the motion picture of the same name. In terms of output, the fashion industry seems to produce hypocrisy and ugly clothes in about
equal measure.

Why Aren't There More Wholesome Ads Like This?

Here at Attitude Media we’d like to help change all this. We’d like to see more ads like this one. There's nothing wrong with people smiling whether they be young or old.

This Is Supposed To Make Us Want To Buy?

Instead we get crotch-grabbing ads like this...Tell me who this is supposed to appeal to?

Why Do We Want A Designer Name Near Our Crotch?

As a first step, let’s stop focusing on brands. Just because an article of clothing has a tag that says it was made by some company named “Gucci” or “Hermes” should be not a reason to think that the article is actually good, and certainly not to think you should buy it.

Brands like to tell “heritage stories”, and have famous models and photographers, and posh retail outlets, and full page spreads in high end magazines. These things cost a lot of money, which is passed along in the price of the goods, but they have absolutely nothing to do with the value of clothing to you.

A Nice Clean Look

The things that should matter to you are:
  • How does it look on you? (Not on a model or a celebrity or anyone else)
  • Does it suit your actual lifestyle? How often will you wear it?
  • Is it comfortable?
  • Is the price reasonable?
  • Was it made in a reasonably humane way, i.e. not involving the forced labor of 10 year olds.
  • Does it fit the way it should? Nothing matters more.
  • Does it function the way you intended? Does the coat keep you warm?
  • Does it help you present yourself to others in the way you intend? This is not about pretending to be someone else, but trying to be the best version of yourself.

Athletic Wear, Back In The Day

That last phrase – trying to be the best version of yourself – really encapsulates what Attitude Media is about. If you’re not rich, don’t buy clothing you can’t afford to try to pretend you are; you can look great without spending a lot, and we can help with that.

Never buy something just because you’re impressed with a brand name – evaluate each thing you buy and wear on it’s own. Some well known brands do make some very fine clothing that is well worth a high price; the same brands will also make other items where they are just trading on their brand names. Be an informed consumer – there is real innovation taking place in areas like fabrics, and the more you understand the better you’ll appreciate and enjoy what you wear.
Take a moment to think about what you are, and what you want to become. If you work in IT but you really enjoy fashion, then it makes sense to spend time and money on your look, even if no one else at your office does.

To some degree, we dress for ourselves, but there’s no shame in wanted your look to be appreciated by others, whether you’re male or female, straight or gay, in New York, or Stillwater, Oklahoma. Be your own curator; as X says, only keep items that provide either a spark of joy, or some real utilitarian purpose. If you’re not really going to wear it, get rid of it. Closets are not museums.

Audrey Hepburn

If your object is to look like everyone else, or just to get by, you don’t need our help. If your object is to look great and radiant, and project the joy of life, you should probably start with another section of this site, like reading Audrey Hepburn’s quote, or getting inspired with Positive Press.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone.
- Audrey Hepburn

Real Beauty - Body, Mind, Attitude

Or perhaps you should read our fitness section; nothing will make you look as good as being in great shape, and being in great shape will also help with the optimism and confidence which is such an integral part of really having a good look.

The clothes are just the final layer, the final piece of the puzzle. A fit, friendly person, carrying themselves erectly, and smiling, is probably going to look good regardless of what they’re wearing.

On the other hand, a rich, fat, obnoxious person driving a Rolls and wearing Gucci is, at the end of the day, just a rich fat, obnoxious person.
But even given all of the above, the right clothes can make you look and feel better. So get in shape, get your attitude right, and check out our suggestions in
Yes, No, Maybe.
  • Save this Fashion Essay to Scrapbook
  • 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
    Loading...
    Rate this Fashion Essay
YES!
Knowin’ your style
AND Lookin’ Sharp!

Cufflinks - A Touch of Class

Viagra for Car Lovers

Briefcase or Backpack?

Taking Flight with Cadet

Finally! A Truly Manly Bracelet

The Saudi King has Announced You have One Hour to Leave the Country

NO!
NO! NO! NO!
PLEASE DON’T DO THAT AGAIN!

The Ugliest Shoes Ever - and Vogue Loves them!

So Young Man, You Wake Up and Wonder?

How Many Bad Ideas Can You Put on One Man?

It's 113 Degrees - Do I Need a Fur Coat Right Now?

Hat? Check. Color? Check. Still, something is off

MAYBE?
You Look Great
but it’s not for everyone

Lovely Lacoste Sweater

A Very Nice Looking Cardigan

Which Pair of Sandals cost $30, and which $750?

Having Just Cured Cancer, What Next?

So you're in a natural, organic mood, but looking for something different?