STRUT IT

Here are some fashion styles common in different countries. Maybe you can find out what's yours. There are many types of fashion styles, although I only managed to fish out 3. Oh well =_=, but do enjoy it.

Men: There seems to be two big styles out that dominate the men’s fashion scene. The first, and more respected, is the semi-casual look. This is especially popular around the fall and winter seasons. They typically look like a coat or blazer one would wear with a business suit, though nowadays it’s not uncommon to see decorative stitching and interesting seams. These are often combined with a hooded sweatshirt underneath. The blazer is left open to show the design, pattern, or color of the sweatshirt below. Then a pair of comfortable jeans are thrown on with a matching belt (because jeans never go out of fashion). On their feet men sport anything from the popular slip on (popularized by the Vans shoe company) to a simple dress shoe that matches in color.

The second style is the hip-hop style. One can see it in almost every industrialized nation, especially America and most European countries. It involves baggy (overly big) pants, baggy shirts, and baggy anything else that can be baggy. This often creates problems with pants falling down, being a bit too revealing, but the shirt helps with the cover-up. Stylized baseball caps have become hugely popular with whole companies springing up to make the perfect hat to match the outfit. When it comes to colors, bolder is better. Huge chunks of oranges, neon greens, and yellows are splashed on over white or black t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Women: Women’s urban fashion can’t really be divided into two specific categories because it has become a “hodge-podge” of different styles. For instance, the tights-under-the-skirt look of the 80’s is mixed with wild mix of patterns common to the bohemian ideals. However, there are certain things that can be seen in all areas of this crazy blend. The first of these is ballerina slippers, commonly known as "flats". They have become the staple of all of women’s fashion diets. They are worn with almost everything, whether that is a pair of jeans, a skirt, or a dress.

No matter the clothing, the color is the most important. Black is still in, mostly because it is associated with business and looking trim, but black is rarely seen on its own anymore. Bursts of color are the thing. Combinations of blacks or neutrals with stripes of pink, yellow, and other bright colors are seen in every department store across the world. The same can be seen with make-up. Black mascara is seen with eyelids dazzled with outlandish metallic blues and greens.

Men: This style was first introduced to men as “hippie”. They took advantage of the comfort and wore their clothes loose, bright and flowing. It was meant to represent peace, happiness and love for the world. This fashion started to be influenced by Indian styles as the years past, creating a somewhat “grunge” appearance in the early 1990’s. Plaid was used as top layer widely among men. The idea was to not match but still look fashionable. They succeeded and along with past influences, men today still use this rule when following or creating their own style of bohemian.

Women: The flowing, soft fabrics were used because of the practicality and femininity. And last the accessories were the finishing touch. The more the better and the women used this idea for chunky wooden bracelets and countless long necklaces. They were usually hand made with beads that had dark colors to contrast with the outfit. The next trendsetter in the bohemian history would be the eco-friendly people of the 1960s. They represented everything bohemian, from the fashion sense to the relaxed and positive mindset. It started with the hair that was intended to be free and untamed. So a popular trend of bohemian would be long hair that represented everything natural. It cascaded over loose fitting bright tops as well as tight pants with neutral tones of brown. Long skirts with alternate layers were also common.

Women: Many women like wearing vintage because of the feminine cuts that were popular at the time they were made. Wearing vintage head-to-toe though can be overpowering. Instead, try mixing new and old garments, like a vintage cardigan with jeans.

Men: The majority of men’s vintage fashion includes old jackets. These jackets are made out of “manly”, durable materials like leather, wool, or fur, so finding a jacket in good condition should be relatively easy. Back then, it was popular for men to wear long, wool trench-style overcoats or shorter, leather bomber jackets. Now however, both men and women can wear these styles, as well as military style coats, which come in colors ranging from khaki to black.

This is Nina Meliani Bahar, Signing OUT!!

Thursday, October 16, 2008