Fashion Shit: For HIMmag

16/11/2010

Andy J R Webster: Fashion Blog

Fashion; what does that word mean to you? Does it mean; new styles of clothing what at this particular point in time are regarded as cool and on trend? Maybe. Does it mean, ‘mate that looks ridiculous so take of your flat cap because you’re starting to look like a poor mans Samuel L. Jackson and stop being a bellend and dress normally’? Probably not. I’m not afraid to admit I’m a fairly modern bloke, I’ve even worn a face pack. Seriously, I have. It was in my first year at university, and it made my skin feel glorious. Don’t judge me on it. Even if the past couple of sentences were slightly non-heterosexual. But remember, first year of uni. The year you’re meant to be adventurous. The year that grades and the amount of work you do mean fuck all to the outcome of your actual degree. And for many, especially those who live under a rock and can’t tie their own shoe laces, the first time you’re really exposed to a wide variety of people with different fashion tastes and opinions on what looks good! So let me off.

Fashion isn’t just clothing. Don’t get me wrong, if you mince into any college, university or anywhere else where youngish people who shop at Topman (which I love) or the female version Topshop; which is also used by rather skinny under developed emo-ish-esque lads trying most definitely too hard to follow trend they’ll resort to wearing chicks jeans because they can’t get mens jeans that fit legs based around the build of unhealthy and underfed small birds, and ask the very same question. I am positive the feedback will mainly be about clothing, brands and style.

But fashion is everything. It’s literally involved in every single item you’re wearing, using, watching, listening to and shagging. Fashion isn’t merely involved it the clothing world. It’s design in general and popular culture. The TV you watch would have followed the trend of television making when it was produced, as are the shows on it. The music you’re listening to would have been produced or influenced by a certain decade of music fashion, so is the I-pod you’re listening to it on. Also, and probably to many of you the most important, the sort of girls you chase on nights out are influenced by a number of fashion trends. Undoubtedly you will have a type, and that type depends on clothing, music taste, haircut and how drunk you are.

We would all agree though, the word fashion immediately makes you think of style and clothing. Style really does depend on who’s wearing it and whose opinion matters to you. For example, a pair of skinny jeans on an athletic tall fella looks good, whereas a pair of skinny jeans on a fat midget looks like God’s playing a joke on people with sight and looks like someone’s been sick on a hairy, wrinkly ball bag. But my intrigued friends it can swing in roundabouts, because if we take the two very same people and put an Elf outfit in the equation! What do we have? We have a hugely different outcome. Therefore, one outfit is timelessly fashionable on one person but not so fashionable on the other. Plus a midget wearing an elf costume is hilarious.

What I’m trying to say in a roundabout kinda way is, fashion is dependant on various external factors. You can’t just go onto the Topman, River Island, Burton or GQ website and see what’s on trend and say, ‘well, I guess that’s what I’m wearing this month’. That’s not how it works. If you actually do this, then listen. If you are so void of personal flair, imagination and character based substance then no one is going to take you seriously enough to notice that what you’re wearing is deemed fashionable by a website or magazine anyway. Fashion should be about who you are and what you like. It does obviously have to remain somewhere within the confounds of what is deemed fashionable at the time because that will be what’s actually available in decent shops, but this is a good thing. It means your personal choice will include flair, personality, on trend fashion choices and a certain individuality that will convey your own influences. Good times.

Fashion all depends on the person. What’s fashionable to one fella is an eye sore to the next. If you want to wear Ugg boots as a bloke, then go ahead and do it! It’s your choice, plus they don’t only serve as a gesture to your possible sexuality and fashion beliefs, they’re also useful. The amount of time’s I’ve finished teaching a surf lesson and ended up putting my feet in warm water because I can’t feel them is reeeeee-donk-ulous! Uggs would have kept my feet toasty as soon as I would have left the water! Boom, sorted. Also, the same applies to the new Topman accessory of the man headband. If you fancy one of these then go out and buy one. Put it on. Look like a prick and be proud!

Be who you are, like what you like, wear what you wear!
Follow on Twitter: @AndyJRWebster