Many of you may have noticed a change in style of female fashion this school year. We are witnessing a shift from tight, revealing garments that are even arguably risqué to modest, over-sized attire hearkening back to the days of various decades.
This new trend has been publicized in a recent article in The New York Times. In the article, ordinary teenagers and adults in the fashion industry comment on what the style consists of. Some garments mentioned included maxi skirts, trouser jeans, over-sized sweaters, scarves, midi-skirts, vintage, floral print, and high-waists. With new fashion icons along the lines of Dakota and Elle Fanning and Hailee Steinfeld, it is apparent that today’s generation will be dressing less revealingly.
I was delighted to discover that modesty is the theme of this season since I have always been on the more conservative side when it comes to clothing. However, I was a bit distraught when the clothing was described as “shapeless,” “capes,” and “ambiguous.” Now, I’m all for covering up, but I do agree that the attire can be disappointingly unflattering. Yes, we should respect our bodies and not reveal everything at first glance; yes, we should look to the styles of decades ago for appropriate inspiration; and yes, we should still look like females. But many teens looking to the floral prints of the 1940s seem to miss the fact that the actual style of clothing back then was flattering. Seriously, who wants to look like a shapeless blob?
Toward the end of the article, 17-year-old Christina Tadin commented, “I’m probably not going to wear it going out with my friends to dinner or to hang out at someone’s house, but rather somewhere like out to dinner with my parents.” Quite frankly, no one cares about what you wear to go out to dinner with your folks. Isn’t a style supposed to be worn all the time, not just when no one’s around?
What I would like to know is will there ever be a happy medium between “too revealing” and “shapeless?” The 1950s presents a perfect solution to the fashion predicament. The 1950s were choc full of a-line dresses with full skirts, pencil skirts, natural shoulders, and cinched waists. These styles were modest in their coverage, yet flattered every body type and hinted at fragile femininity. Gee, doesn’t that sound nice?
Well, you heard my opinion; what do you think?
Thank you for your information, it really meant a lot to me.
Haha I love your article! I have always been a bit more on the conservative side (compared to my generation) myself. I try not to look trashy, but classy. However, I still want to keep it youthful. I have noticed that it is hard nowadays for girls, like you said, to “find a happy medium.” Perhaps it will become easier as the fashion magazines embrace this new, yet old trend. Personally, I love it!
Great article on fashion trends! I’ve been noticed that over sized clothing is getting more popular and ends up looking baggy on a lot of people. Hopefully the fashion industry will listen to your advice and throw some 50’s skirts back on the racks!