Are there “rules” anymore for fashion? I see ridiculous Fashion Shows from top designers–one in particular had the models in flesh colored cat suit leotards while the “clothes” were on a device attached to the model but ‘walking’ in front of them, some upside down, some sideways.
Then one reads useless articles on social media on what not to wear for over 50 – to not look outdated – to be updated – and the list goes on and on. But, it lists everything–LITERALLY everything.
So, what are the “rules” anymore? The Fashion Shows are so outrageous that the Bridge clothing can’t replicate the “style”. The Summer of 2023 from Vogue literally said it wasn’t a style but an action – we are to “Clutch”. Clutch a compact (because I’m going to carry a powder compact all day, SERIOUSLY, who are these people dreaming this up), clutch a purse (ok, I’ll give them that one, but strictly for Dramatic personalities, Romantics and Classics will eventually put it under their arm and as soon as possible dispose of the hideous appendage, and Naturals will leae it at the first store counter or restaurant table, assuming it makes it out of the car). And the third ‘clutch’ gains the prize for ‘The Most Ridiculous’ – clutch one’s breast. I’m just NOT going there, that is not fashion!
So—what ARE the rules? Well, at this point, it would be–Be Comfortable.
The Summer of 2023 is supposed to be sporting cotton button-down shirts, oversized, which is a good look with leggings; midi pencil skirts, which if the right cut is purchased most anyone can wear. There are about ten more ‘must haves’. But, let’s face it, when you include 10 -12 must haves you cover pretty much any design you want.
Besides, who can replace an entire wardrobe every 6 months? That would be probably 98% of the population – so – just be comfortable. Remember when fashion magazines tell you what you MUST wear this season, the store/designer PAID for that spot in that article!
The Colors of the Season
After ‘they’ have told you what you have to wear, ‘they’ then tell you what color you must get it in! This decision was made across the board from fashion, to beauty, to home decor and furniture, to paint, to cars! And, it was made about 5 years ago, because it takes that long to develop the color, design the product, and prepare the marketing of the product. According to Pantone, the color is Viva Magenta – a color that only half of the population can successfully wear. The other colors are:
*Pale Dogwood – a light dusty pink with warm undertones. *Gray Sand – this is beige, not gray. *Gray Lilac – this is not really gray, but more of a light violet. *Pale Khaki – a true khaki. *Fields of Rye – a shade lighter than Pale Khaki. *Agate Gray – a greenish warm gray. *Plein Air – a violet-ish cool gray
My daughter walked into Torrid and was furious, the store was all Magenta, Pink, or Gray. “When did Torrid start going with the latest craze!?” She exclaimed, and walked out of the store. She went to a store she never goes in, Dillards (only because I was looking for somethng) and found more suitable colors for her personality and skin tone.
So, what’s the best color to wear? One that looks good on you! I teach people to realize because of the “powers of color execs” (who think they know what all of us want). The colors on your color palette are not always going to be available. So, prepare accordingly–by walking away from the store and purchasing NOTHING. It can be done. And it’s okay to do it. “They” don’t have power over you!
Carolyn Bendall 