Top 5 Most Ambivalent Fashion Trends of the 2000's

I've already given my 2 cents on the best and worst trends of the decade. I'm now going to muddy the water  a bit by writing about the the top 5 trends from the past decade that left me undecided.

1. Shorts

It's a bit sad that on a blistering hot day, I still can't get around to wearing shorts simply due to the fact that I haven't figured out how to pull them off-- I mean, put them on.

Towards the end of the decade, there was a runway trend to incorporate shorts.

While it was nice to see dress shorts presented as an option for men, they always looked  a bit silly to me. Maybe I just never get over the assocation of shorts with the gym or the beach or Angus from ACDC.

I don't think I'd ever wear dress shorts. I know, sucks to be me. If I would ever wear a pair of shorts outside the gym, it would likely be  a more casual pair of cargo shorts.

2. Thongs

Fooled ya! I don't mean the thongs you were thinking of, but rather thongs for the feet.

In the middle part of the decade, designer thongs, slides, sandals etc., started to spring up in style for men. This was one fad that I actually embraced at the time, with only some mild regrets now. I don't mind a nice pair of leather flip-flops for a more casual occassion,

and I like the more current trend for gladiator-type sandals

but I really don't care for beach flip flops. Outside of the beach, they just look...dirty.

Another problem I have with the concept is that a lot of men have really gross toe nails that look like Fritos.



3. The Skinny

While at the helm of Dior Homme, Hedi Slimane became one of the most influential designers of the decade by designing uber slim slim clothes for men. Which man wouldn't want to look like an anemic 17 year old girl??

This look also dovetailed with the re-introduction of 60's style slim suits during the decade (see "Mad Men").
I'm a pretty trim guy myself, and I like my clothing fitted, but I was always divided over  the aesthetics of this trend.


4.  Scarves and vests

Ah! I could never make up my mind over this one. I definitely never really got into the vest for it's own sake, especially if worn with a t-shirt.

Seems like something a Top 16 American Idol contestant would wear.

As for scarves, I used to destest these things because I thought they look so damn contrived, affected and effete. I think seeing some really neat pictures on The Sartorialist's blog brought me to the other side. I liked the way the way the men pulled the scarves into a simple knot:

Copyright TheSartorialist

Do I like scarves? All I can say, is depends on the dude, the scarf and how it's tied. Not very helpful, I know. As a general rule, I'm definitely cool with bold, colourful cashmere "winter scarves" especially when worn with an overcoat and maybe a sportsjacket.

Copyright TheSartorialist

Lightweight linen,  very slim, or bohemian scarves don't work for me.

 (As for kaffiyehs, see my previous comments here)
5. Ankle high pants (Thom Brown)

Ok, this trend was a bit more obscure, and really is restricted to Thom Browne (which not many people own). Still, TB has been one of the most influential mens designers of the past 5 years, so he cannot be ignored.
I have to admit, there is something puzzling and curious about the whole look. There are elements of geekishness, childishness and trendiness in the look.

But bottom line, it's not a look I could ever relate to, nor  a look that will ever go mainstream. 

-The Scandal

Dress for success??

One of my pet peeves are guides on how to dress at the office. As someone interested in clothes, I have a conceptual problem with the premise of that sort of guide. My issue with these how-to-dress guides is that they view clothing entirely as a means to an end (i.e., professional “success”) and imply that it is necessary to stifle any form of sartorial expression in order to achieve professional success. I consider that attitude to be patronising.


Anyone who cares about clothing sees his or manner of dress, at least in part, as a form of self expression. In dressing for the office, professionalism is certainly one, but not the only message that a person should convey. Given that many of us spend most of our lives at our workplace, should we dress with only one purpose in mind? What a boring world that would be.

Consider this: It may very well be professionally advantageous to be a sycophant to your boss and even to adopt his political positions, however I doubt that most “experts” would publicly espouse that you do so. Presumably, the experts would recognize that they would be advising people to compromise their integrity—even though it may lead to professional advancement. I view dressing guides in much the same way.

I recently stumbled across one such guide for lawyers:

http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/Dress-for-success.html

Aside from my philosophical problems with the whole concept, right off the bat, I knew I was in for a rough ride. The author, who I’m sure is a perfectly nice and intelligent young woman, is a third year female law/MBA student in Halifax. I’m not sure how those credentials add up to the ability to write about menswear.  Here is a summary of my points of contention with the article:

1. “The first suit you buy should always be black.”

While I don't quite believe in rules myself, given that the author is presenting them, the rules actually state that a black suit is not appropriate business attire (and we all know that lawyers are sticklers for rules). Classically speaking, solid black should only be worn at formal events. Even if rules are made to be broken, it is poor advice to for a law student to buy a black suit as his first suit.

Black is especially inappropriate and downright uncomfortable in the summer. If anything, navy is the most versatile suit colour.

I find it surprising that the author would sooner suggest black, charcoal grey, "something dark with a pinstripe", lighter grey, or beige-- without ever mentioning navy.

2. A"well-fitting suit will have jacket sleeves that end halfway down the palm of your hand"

Wtf?? Where did she get that bizarre chestnut? How would you shake a hand? Heck, how would you hold a pen or open a door?

In case you’re wondering: a suit jacket should more or less reach the base of the thumb and reveal about 1/4" of the dress shirt.



3. "If you are wearing a brown or beige suit, stick to “earthy” colours like green or burgundy".

I'm not sure I'd consider green and burgundy to be “earthy colours”. In any event, the statement is otherwise arbitrary. Lots of colours look good with brown or beige, especially pink and black. Also, though I myself have several suits in brown and beige tones, the colours are less common for business suits. Let’s crawl before we walk.

4. "Cufflinks and pocket squares, while a nice touch, should be saved for more formal events, such as a reception or dinner"

No cufflinks? I guess men can’t wear French cuffs at work? Or do we simply let them dangle un-fastened?

5. "If you feel the need to stand out in your suit, try spicing things up with a skinny tie and a tie clip"

Nice of the author to allow me to satisfy my irrational need to “stand out”. Too bad, however, that she suggested a skinny tie cuz if you don’t have a skinny suit and skinny collar, a skinny tie will look mighty silly.

6. "To slightly relax business formal, try wearing a suit without a tie, and your top button undone"

Good thing the author tells us to unbutton the top button, because I was either about to adopt the Forrest Gump look

or undo all buttons

-The Scandal

Michael Bastian, Fall/Winter 2010

Overview: What do you get when you combine 80% Ralph Lauren + 20% DSquared? Answer: Michael Bastian. I love the way this guy makes everything look so wearable. But don't be fooled; as casual as the clothes look, they are deceptively luxurious.

Rating: ***1/2 out of ****

Highlights: Layering, quirky colours

Lowlights: None. Nada. Ok, well, maybe some unfortunate shirt/tie combinations.

-The Scandal

Spurr, Fall/Winter2010

Overview: One of my favorite up-and-coming designers, Simon Spurr didn't disappoint this season by adding much-needed pizazz to New York fashion week (first time I've ever used the word "pizazz").

Rating : *** out of ****

Highlights: Peacoats, scarves, sheen fabrics, wool sweaters

Lowlights: Loud-print suits

-The Scandal

Worst of Paris and Milan Men's Fall/Winter2010

Here are my top ten worst looks of Paris and Milan Men's Fall/Winter2010:


1. Who killed Kenny?

I don't know, but I wish somebody would kill this look:

 (Comme des Garcons)


2.  Haven't you always wanted to dress like a folded napkin?

(Rick Owens)

3. I think this guy took the suggestion "Let's shag baby!" a bit too literally :

(Commes des Garcons)

4.  Bad, bad combination:

+

+ 

+

=

(Rick Owens)

5. Latest look inspired by Gaza streetwear?

(Commes des Garcons)

6.  Is this what prisoners wear on the moon...

...or is it just nonsense that Thom Browne dreams up?

(Thom Browne for Moncler Gamme Bleu)

7.  More disturbing arithmetic:

+

=

(Alexander McQueen R.I.P.)

8.  I wonder how many squirrels went into the production of these beauties?

(Rick Owens)

9. Where is Waldo?

(Thom Browne for Moncler Gamme Bleu)

10. You do not, I repeat, do NOT, want this guy at your party:

(Etro)

Honourable mentions:

(Thom Browne for Moncler Gamme Bleu)

(Thom Browne for Moncler Gamme Bleu)

(Alexander McQueen)

(Rick Owens)

-The Scandal