Wednesday 29 May 2024

As I basked in the respite of a long-overdue break (honestly can’t remember when the last time was that I was out somewhere without any obligations), dressed in a pair of Edwin Japanese denim and a worn-out heather grey Gildan hoodie (something I toss in the trunk when heading out to the countryside), I couldn’t help but mull over the profound significance of fashion. And more specifically; the significance of the outfit you’re wearing at a given moment.

My partner and I had taken a week off to head to the north-eastern corner of France at a time when there was heavy rain fall and big floods, and as a result, ended up perusing the weather report more than I’d normally wish to (as someone who tries hard to live in the moment). This, however, made me think of weather forecasting and it dawned on me that while science may boast of its predictiveness, fashion remains gloriously unpredictable. The very essence of fashion seems to defy the logic of progress, stubbornly clinging to cyclical whims and timeless principles. The trends of past decades seem to return sooner and sooner (did the trends of the noughties even pass when so many of them are now in again?) and the way we make clothes hasn’t hugely changed in the past hundred years.

In the realm of trend forecasting, where reports are sold to corporate machines, lies the heart of fashion’s intrigue: the quest to find oneself through garments and accessories. But, in the age of fast fashion, the thrilling pursuit of personal style is often impaired by the relentless churn of consumerism. I can’t say either that it’s easy to try and ignore the marketing, to try and not take the bait and buy the look that’s trending now (for perhaps only a few weeks). The anticipation of a trend’s resurgence, like the rumored return of skinny jeans, prompts an inquiry into the nature of fashion’s evolution: will it be driven by genuine desire or merely the echo chamber of fashion corporations? For example: will the eventual comeback of skinny jeans be a genuine trend borne out of a wanton need from fashionable populi or will it return merely because a Vogue journalist repeats it often enough? I personally think it would be – or is – wonderful to see skinny trousers again (with updated styling obviously).

Fashion transcends mere clothing; it’s a manifestation, and a manifesto, of self-expression. The transformative power of a carefully curated ensemble became glaringly evident as I swapped my shabby holiday garb for pieces that ignited a spark of excitement within me. A black, buckled John Galliano swim briefs complete with a mesh trim under the waistband or the charm of a lilac Palomo Spain one-piece bathing suit were the only pieces of clothing I’d packed that I felt fun and special in. At one point the gloom brought upon me by my uninspired looks was so extreme that I even got stressed from not feeling cute!

In those moments, by the poolside, clad in elasticated designer bathing fashion that felt like an extension of my soul, I re-realized the profound impact of dressing up. It was definitely more than vanity; it was a declaration of self-worth, a shield against monotony. And for me, at least, fashion isn’t frivolous; it’s an accessible way to happiness and feeling light that’s necessary even on holidays.


At the moment I’m obsessed with: boat neckline in menswear, checkers and stripes

Photos are from thelastfashionbible.com, Dries van Noten, Etsy and Palomo Spain

Sincerely yours,
Miro