(no subject)

[momsalive1]

I was in a waiting room yesterday, flipping though some issues of a magazine - "Self" or "Health" or something. As usual, it didn't take long for me to gain 20 lbs., age 10 years, and decide that I am in serious need of a chemical peel on my face and cosmetic surgery on my neck. I confirmed that, yes, my choices in hairstyle, make-up and clothes were not "choices" at all, but merely the side-effects of a lazy and stubborn insistence on becoming a living fossil.

I do love it when I find that clothes I like are now out of style, and so may be on sale. Things change so fast that I can usually find something I like. The pattern of cycling in and out of the new look - we are now, evidently, at the height of a revival in the style (that was style? Who knew?) of the 1970s - why is that? And why will we be into black and white in a few years instead of the current pop pink, lime, and orange? Or the earth tones of a few years ago? There is so much money to be made in fashion, I'd guess that how to change the look is a more complex business decision then just making any change so people that care have to buy it to keep up.

There's also the comic relief. Yesterday, it was an an article on "New Ways Your Clothes Can Make You Look Your Best." Sure enough, all the women in the photos looked tall, thin and young. Of course, they also all looked to actually be 5'8", size 4 and 23.

Comments

[mrsbean.livejournal.com]

revival in the style (that was style? Who knew?) of the 1970s - why is that?
Looking back, the clothes of the 70's were just plain ugly. Of course we wore them because that was the style. But, there is no excuse for doing them again.

(Your entire post struck a chord...D-flat minor, I believe.)

*sigh*

[momsalive1]

"D-flat minor.."
I am not a musician, but this struck me as hysterical....

If only I had some of those clothes left! I bet I could sell them.

[mrsbean.livejournal.com]

There is a shop on Melrose Blvd. (I'm sure there are plenty more) that sells "vintage" clothing. You can not believe the price they ask for those crotched ponchos and vests we used to wear. Velour sweaters and "peasant blouses"...astronomical!

[momsalive1]

I know!! Makes me want to learn how to make them! Alot of that stuff was seriously plastic (leisure suits - Bwhahahaha!!) so it will probably be around the next time it comes into fashion.

[mrsbean.livejournal.com]

"leisure suits"... I CRINGE at the thought. LOL

I just wish I had a few of the hand-tooled leather purses that I had. You know the ones with the little flowers and vines on them? They would be worth a bloody fortune today.

[momsalive1]

I remember - they would have held up well and I'm sure you could sell them now. One of these days I will get serious about finding out how much my records are worth.

[ffiondove.livejournal.com]

Doesn't it just drive you nuts - they put skinny models in photos and we are meant to be stupid (and or vain)enough to believe if we just buy that dress/jacket/make up whatever, we will look just the same. Blahhhhhh!!!

[momsalive1]

It is insulting, and what pisses me off even more is when I buy into it.

[ffiondove.livejournal.com]

I try to stick to the "timeless classics" but I must admit I like this boho chic stuff thats coming into the shops for the summer.........can't help ourselves can we?!

[momsalive1]

I like it too and so I'll go nuts when the sales come in. Next season - who knows? Big shoulders from the 80s?!?!

**is afraid, very afraid**

[ffiondove.livejournal.com]

Shoulders like boulders from the 80s no! no! anything but that........anything that is except hot pants from the 70s!!

[msb66.livejournal.com]

I really really don't care about fashion. I buy for comfort and does it fit? I am now out of the dress size range held by most high street "fashion" shops anyway. I do find that a lot of "outsize" clothes are just plain ugly - I firmly believe that it perfectly possible to look good despite being "big", but you have to find things that are cut right, and hang nicely (not things that are just tents).

I still have a pair of animal print trousers which I bought - oh 7 yrs ago (?) when animal print was trendy. This was a fashion buy but they remain extremely comfy and with lots of wear in them. So I wear them in the face of fashion - I don't care that I am showing my "lack of current style", I like them.

I read yesterday that tangerine is the new "in" colour. Not a colour that finds itself in my wardrobe I'm afraid - or indeed that is ever likely to.

[momsalive1]

I love tangerine, but I agree that it should be legally restricted to flowers and fruits.

The universe of X clothes has gotten more sensible, I think, and with some work I can usually find what I need. Alot of it is still apparently designed for a 10 year old - frilly, pastel and/or with little cartoon characters. WTF?

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

I tend to veer wildly between feeling like a failure for not being young, tall, thin and well-dressed (even though "tall" and "young" are beyond my abilities to achieve) and self-satisfied for having my own sense of style and following it, and the hell with the pundits.

It's hard, in the face of masses of advertising and entertainment whose sole message sometimes seems to be "You're not good enough," to remember that the fashion industry would fail if they couldn't convince us to spend, spend, spend on every new dream they offer, but it's true. It's also true that they have no idea what looks good on my body, and I do, so I just continue on my semi-merry way and wear what I want, and try to ignore the bombardment of messages telling me I'm doing it wrong.

[momsalive1]

Yup. I do the "veering wildly" and it is extremely annoying. The images sold to women are ridiculous and infuriating on some many levels. It floors me when I get sucked into the Young thing when it is clearly "beyond my abilities to achieve". Thin is as well, in a different way: it is extremely unlikely that I will become thin, but still theoretically possible.

I am, however, pleased to point out that I am taller than you **sticks tongue out and hopes your sense of humor isn't sick**

"semi-merry way and wear what I want.." The older I get the easier it is to do this. A lucky thing - when I was younger, whatever was on the shelves at Sears was cheap, fit, was comfortable and looked good. Now it is alot more work to find what I like, especially in business wear, without spending a fortune.

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

I tend to have good luck at Dress Barn. I shop as infrequently as possible, but when I have to find something basic for work, I can usually find it there.