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My wardrobe has been craving one fashion fundamental since what seems like the dawn of time: a legitimately fly pair of kicks. Right now the closest pair of shoes I own to that “legitimately fly pair of kicks” (or LFPOK) are a pair of high-top green Converse.
Perhaps these are slightly refreshing and interesting, but I’m looking for something more along the lines of meshing neon colors, tongues and laces with different patterns –– shoes that people keep in bags up on shelves in fear that they might get soiled.
One common misconception about fashion is that it only includes heels, dresses and generally expensive and uncomfortable clothing. As far as I’m concerned, style does not equate to a leather mini skirt and a pair of patent pumps.
As a matter of fact, I fervently believe that those who can wear athletic gear or lounge wear and make it look fresh and interesting are those with the strongest sense of style of us all. They can at least wear outfits far more interesting than those who throw together a couple pieces of trendy clothing — a cinch belt, a scarf, a pair of skinny jeans and a pile of chains — and call it a day.
I took the liberty of looking up “trend” on dictionary.com, and the definition that struck me the most was “drift.” And that is precisely what trends are; they are momentary drifts, easily taken in a different direction — the product of whim and fleeting interest. Those who compose outfits based on trends disregard all of the other qualities of clothing like color, shape, texture, etc.
I know I am quick to scorn style choices involving sweatshirts and sweatpants, but in all honesty, they are staples of college life. They could be made exciting, however, by switching up these pairings with clothing other than T-shirts and jeans.
Scanning through the Tommy Ton’s fashion week street style photos he snapped for Style.com, there were two shots that jumped out at me: One juxtaposes a pair of multi-color Nike sneakers with a pair of orange and black color-block heels, the other pictures super model Karlie Kloss wearing an oversized zip-collar sweater with a pair of cuffed jean shorts.
Amongst the laser-cut, the metallic glam, the intricately embroidered and the tirelessly tailored, these snapshots were a breath of fresh air. They were gems of much simpler, more accessible street fashion. Kloss’s outfit looked like an ensemble someone would actually wear in their backyard on a lazy fall afternoon.
I almost want to coin a term here: fashion honesty. The well-respected realm of the fashionably extreme and avant-garde should continue to be respected and cultivated, but I think there should be an equal and opposite force in favor of the realistic and the norm — the honest flip side of fashion.
I wish designers, bloggers, stylists or anyone with a scruple of interest in fashion would respect and challenge the basics of the average Jane’s (or Joe’s) wardrobe.
I hope the future of fashion is founded in reality as much as it is in fantasy. As much as I appreciate a solid pair of wedges or platforms, I would love to see a designer line comprised solely of the LFPOKs that I — and the rest of my peers — will not only admire in theory, but will honestly want to wear.
Burritt is a member of the class of 2013.
