Fashion IS for everyone

As I was having my rare browse of different (fashion) blogs (involves clicking links from one blog to another), I came across Too Fat for Fashion. I firmly believe that fashion can be for everyone and the blog demonstrated this perfectly.

Recently, much of the British press have been going on and contributing to the size 0 debate (something that I’ve written about in the past). Whilst they may go on about how awful it is that all these models are so skinny (which they are - and in my view size 8 is still a bit thin for someone who is as tall as models are), I do think that not many of them would not like to see the clothes modeled by models of larger sizes. It is extrememly hypocritical, but unfortunately that is the world. I know very few people who stick to what they believe in or are saying and it’s such a breath of fresh air when people do.

I’ll admit, I’m not a fan of the Gossip. I don’t particularly like the music and I don’t particularly think they are ‘cool’ (inverted commas because this is only what I think is cool), but after seeing the article on Too fat for fashion, it has made me think power to Beth! Many shops do not cater to plus sizes and whilst I am not plus sized, I still view it as a downfall. Just because someone isn’t thin, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to enjoy fashion. It baffles me because it misses out a huge section of the market, so it was really enlightening to see that she also took a stand and didn’t just cash in like I’m sure many other people out there would probably to.

“Nu-rave” - why must it be spelt like that?

“Nu-rave” a craze that’s been going around the UK for a couple of months now (this is a long overdue post I think). I describe it as a craze because it can’t really be described as much else, it’s a mainstream craze, nothing more to it really. Glow-sticks, brightly coloured clothing and “nu-rave” music is basically what’s involved.

Typical “nu-rave” bands include the Klaxons and apparently the New Young Pony Club. I’m not a big fan of the Klaxons, but on the whole I don’t mind the music. Mostly because recently I have been listening to more ‘beaty’ things (electro I suppose - introduced to me by my good friend, who was introduced to it by the Mighty Boosh) and so “nu-rave” is kind of falling into the category (on wikipedia, it was classed as “a style of music fusing elements of electronic dance music and rock”)

Now I come to the ‘look’ of “nu-rave” folks. On the tv last weekend, I heard it described as “looking in the mirror and thinking, yep I look like an idiot”. I’m sure many people have bought straight into it - it’s not exactly hard with high street brands such as Topshop having a whole collection dedicated to the trend (’POP’, which I blogged about a while ago); Entire magazines such as POP also just on this one topic (I actually forked out the £5 for that issue and I didn’t particularly think it worth the money); tv programmes such as Skins featuring “nu-rave” people (made me laugh, especially the hoodie with the flouresant pink “TWAT” written on the back).

You’d think that I would completely hate it because I pretty much hate anything that is an obvious trend. Yet honestly, I’m a bit undecided about it. On the one hand, I’m not about to go and start dressing head-to-toe in “nu-rave” style clothing, because I have my style, yet elements of the style do appeal to me. I mean, I have some bright blue tights from a couple of years ago which I do love. People who claim to be “nu-rave” or “electro” and solely that do annoy me, because personally I like to have more than one interest and element influencing me, variety is the key. It’s tricky really, I don’t buy into mainstream trends simply because I know that 6 months down the line, it’ll be obsolete and kind of pointless and quite honestly I don’t really care about being classed as ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’ for those few months. It’s a strange concept really - how can someone love fashion, but not be willing to love trends. To a certain point, everyone, be they fashion followers or not, are influenced by trends and the catwalk, because the ideas are taken and turned into something more wearable for consumers to purchase at a shop. “Nu-rave” is something that’s around, but I think it’s something that ought to be taken with a pinch of salt. Fair enough if you’ve been into “nu-rave” before it became a mainstream phenomenon, but I just think that for those of us who haven’t, you kind of risk looking like a sheep really - you know, just getting swept up into the hype.

Music is my influence

Music can be inspirational when choosing what to wear. I think most people agree. I mean there are stereotypes anyway. You could go for any kind of music and say that people who listen to that have a certain style. I however, do not like to follow the stereotype, so I don’t actually class myself in any group. There is no denying however that what I wear is influenced, a little, by the music I’m listening to.

Recently, I have been listening to Cansei De Ser Sexy or CSS, who are a brazilian band and play things like Music is my hot hot sex, Art bitch and I wanna be your J.Lo. I’ve become rather obsessed because I am going to see them on Tuesday (haven’t been to a gig in over a year, so who can blame me?! Of course, I need to buy a ticket first).

But I have found, every time I listen to them, I want to wear something really weird. I don’t quite know what I mean, but something weird. And brightly coloured.