Some like it Haute, others not so much

What happened to fashion? I was brought up and taking notice of fashion about the time of the “New Look”.  For those who are a lot younger, I will explain; during wartime there was very little to spare for glamorous clothes, clothing was functional and very boring. Then it was all over! And designers allowed women to feel like women again. They made clothes in rich fabrics with yards of material in the skirts, and tiny nipped in waists.

So, as I approached my eleventh birthday my wonderful mother decided I too could have something reflecting the fashion. She was not rich but she had great dreams for me. We went to the dressmaker and within a week or two I was wearing a full circular skirt made of yards of fine wool, and a blouse like a peasant blouse with a drawstring neck. I felt like the film stars as the long swinging skirt twirled. With images of models and film stars I became a fashion addict.

Through years of changing fortunes I have always loved clothes, now of course life is tough and I have to ‘cut my cloth’ according to our budget. Does that stop me? Not a bit of it! I just have clever ways of finding bargains, altering things and somehow looking presentable.

Two things really get me mad though; the ridiculous fashion photos in some publications, especially weekend magazines! Some I swear they just got a pile of rags and threw it at the model. They also give the prices of things not shown, i.e. “shoes by Fred Snerge $3000” yet the photo does not include the shoes, or bag or earrings they mention. They’re the fashion equivalent of the “Emperors clothes” or how to make women look amazingly stupid while grabbing all their hard earned cash. One recent one looked like an over inflated black tyre. I can imagine me wearing that in our town. Bet someone would get me with a sharp stick as soon as I appeared.

It can be funny and I too have been a fashion tragic. Remember pantaloons? Midis, maxis, and boy did I wear short miniskirts! I also wore a see through dress in the 60s (wish I had a photo) another dress held together in the middle by a gold ring. I even went to a party in a dress I made of washing up cloths, the throw away ones. It was a paper party; even then I looked better than the girl who came as a parcel. 

My fashion has to be simple these days, covering most of my less than pretty bits. I stick to basics like black for trousers and camisoles etc., and then zing things up with bright blouses, scarves, and jackets, or jewellery I pick up at Vinnie’s. I can easily put together an outfit for about ten dollars sometimes; a useful skill when that is all you have!

Lately I am leaning towards sensible with an occasional plunge into the madness of old age, I admire those wild women from the fashion world who are in their 80s but still rocking it. I want to be like them and go out in a blaze of glory.  So the purple hair, cerise scarf, and multi-coloured skirts will be there waiting when I take the plunge. Just watch this space.

What are your thoughts on modern fashion?