Sweater Weather: song of the moment and fashion

The irony of "Sweater Weather" being one my current favorite songs (as of today, nearly this very moment) is not lost on me as the average temperatures begin to rise here in LA. I've been taking a break from The Civil War of 1812, the book I am using for research for an upcoming project at Kerner Entertainment, watching "Bill Cunningham New York," a documentary of the New York Times photographer who specializes in capturing styles being worn by men and women on the streets of New York. I have to find out if there is a column like his for LA, though I doubt it would be anything as interesting. I suppose I might start watching his weekly video compilations online.

Although fashion is often thought of as superficial and shallow, I must admit a genuine interest in it. There is a lot of possibility in clothing to affect others. Whether or not we notice it, what we wear each day gives people a feel for who we are. This is something I thought about often in my brief time volunteering at Live Arts theater in Charlottesville where I had the pleasure of designing costumes for a few characters in a small play.  Looking at a person on a page and thinking about what they would wear in my head, it was amazing how clearly the images formed themselves. Whether you like it or not, when you say someone is an eccentric teacher or a female lawyer who works in Washington, D.C. you get an idea of what they would wear almost instantly (or, I should say, I do).

Even though it is true I hate saying that fashion is a form of self-expression. I think that clothing, accessories, hair and make-up allow for more opportunities than simple "self-expression". As we see in theater, television, and movies, it is perfectly possible to dress as someone who is not you. Dressing as you wish to be seen is a tip often given in the form of "dress for success".  I wonder what would happen if we all decided to "dress as you are" trying to dress not by what trends are "in" or "out" but as you are currently in age or life stage or, who you would like to become in the future. I have known a few people who always dress in what they like and feel comfortable in and they are always the ones complimented on their style. When will we realize that fashion is not about what the majority of people  wear but how you choose to say something about yourself visually.

(Note: Fashion is, by definition, a materialistic industry. There are many other conversations we could have about starving children in Africa who could use the money I currently spend at Anthropologie...this must be saved for a later date.)