Subtle Influence: The Fashion Selective

Tuesday

From any era of time, history has been made by you and I ... it is being made every day that exists. There are moments being recorded in printed installments and life styled sections from someone's perspective. Is it possible to be influenced from others without knowing? Can adults be as impressionable as children in some degree.

This came to mind from an interesting discussion that went on at work as I heard a worker (from another department) proclaim to others that she was not into "older fashion" ... In fact, she said, "I have never been influenced by fashion or trends." She spoke forcefully to a third party within my hearing. Well ... my, my, my, that was quite interesting given the fact that she used the word never, at the same time wearing a boyfriend blazer and floral printed trousers!

This little rant of hers went on for a bit. If it were not necessary for my presence to be in the room because of a task, I would have left earlier with the faithful few who stood alongside me during this charade of ridiculousness. But, brief chortles aside, she was so resolute about her fashion convictions of not being influenced by trends that something had to be said. Most cohorts in the room did not give her a chance to finish, however I decided to hear her out before my retort.

We all were befuddled and slightly humoured. I explained to her (think, a more succinct yet superbly tactful Miranda speech) of how we're all influenced by fashion in some way by our mere selective daily attire. It doesn't mean that you only wear trends. However, first explaining to her what "trend" and trickle-down effect actually meant was key. "What's the point ... I don't even read fashion magazines," she said. Okay, now, my patience was wearing thin, likely because I had also skipped my morning espresso. You needn't worry though, it all ended very well.

Fashion, no doubt, often provides an uplifting source of confidence that one exudes and chooses to display. For some, it's donning bold patterns or a minimal showcase of quality jewellery. For others, fashion may be the art of concocting a stylish ensemble from secondhand items or solely finding worthy vintage garments. The list goes on.

We create our own news in our style parading the streets with our individual gait of fashion glory. Fashion: it's creative expression worn and distinctively styled by the wearer, and sometimes with our body alone being commissioned as the head stylist!

With that being said, have you recently remembered a specific fashion period, trend, or silhouette that you said you would NEVER wear, a colour or print that you may have flipped the finger to decades, years, months, no, just seasons ago?

Now, you find yourself embracing it because of that subtle influence. Whether it be from a blogger, an ordinary Jane or John in passing, perhaps an enjoyable film we are often inspired indirectly as well as by direct persuasion. It doesn't mean that we have to be a trendy-wearing sponge. Yet, it just signifies that we lively exist, having a style absorbent quality in us that's also open to evolving, even if not in a timely fashion.


43 comments

  1. peplum...I was not into it at all...I thought it was a fairly stonchy silhouette, and now I love it!

    xx

    Erin @ http://www.trufflesnruffles.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. I enjoyed your post. I would be making the same argument as yourself and would be just as annoyed and frustrated. 
    I think for me it was the 'harem pants' and 'high waist pants' but somehow I found types that suited by body and have worn them. 
    Daphne.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an interesting conversation you had!  It's true, whether or not we purposely follow trends, we are indeed influenced by them in some way.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Dainty Dolls House19 June

    I don't follow trends really, I used to, then I got bored. I don't actually shop in stores any more either. I thrift or buy vintage or Ebay it. But, I think even when you don't wear or buy trends, your still thrown them from magazines, tv and advertisements. So, you have to be quite aware of that. I think when you cut that out of the picture, the influence on what you wear goes down dramatically. xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Curvesahead19 June

    enjoyed for post 

    xoxo
    curves

    ReplyDelete
  6. A Brit Greek19 June

    Great post Madison, I don't think you can really not like fashion (be it trends), or even 'older fashion' whatever that might be! As you go through your 20's, 30's, 40's etc your own personal develops, changes an even evolves and be it directly or indirectly, we are always influenced by fashion.

    Yup - i'm also not a harem pants wearer - doesn't look good on me, nor does the carrot shape trouser!
    I'm always up for trying anything though!
    x.o.x.o

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautifully written, darling!
    Love that pink peplum skirt!

    xoxox,
    CC

    ReplyDelete
  8. Brilliantly said my dear! Couldn't agree with you more :)

    Take care and enjoy your week,Daniella xox

    ReplyDelete
  9. miriam Stella19 June

    Thanks for passing by my blog ... : D
     I just prepared a giveaway with some fantastic watches, 
    Why not share it too? 
    I'll wait! good luck
    Miriam Stella 

    is fashion my Passion? the MiriamStella's Blog
    MY FACEBOOK FAN PAGE CLICK HERE

    ReplyDelete
  10. this is great post dear!!!
    i think everybody loves fashion.. everything that makes us feel beautiful or what we love.
    and i think that it doesn't matter if it is trend or its in as long as you keep your own fashion :)
    i'm more into vintage, 60's and simplicity :)
    take care!
    xoxo, Haus of Gala

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks dear! Glad that you were able to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Exactly! We're all influenced in some degree ... whether slightly or fully loaded. :) Thanks so much! -xx 
    Also, have fun at the wedding.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you Daphne! It's great to hear how you would have responded as well. All in all I think it sparked something in me and was quite surprised nobody else said much. :) Have a lovely week.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes, I understand. The point was that you don't necessarily have to be influenced greatly by trends per se, rather fashion influence come in a variety of avenues (modern and dated) and not solely by the latest fad. I think it's wonderful to shop vintage, charity, eBay, as I do as well. Thanks so much for your comment. -xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Such a fabulous post!  I don't know if I would have been as eloquent as you when it came to dealing with your coworker.  I love how she went off on the tirade while wearing a boyfriend blazer and floral pants.  That's really priceless :) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  16. francesca romana capizzi19 June

    I quote you word by word....some peple are so unsecure that they claim not to be depending upon fashion and it is not like this!!
    Don't Call
    Me Fashion Blogger


    Bloglovin'

    Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  17. :) I agree! Thanks! xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. haha. Thanks! Glad that you were able to read the post Dawn! 

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks Daniella! Means a lot! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very well said! Sounds like you handled the situation perfectly :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. ha, that sounds obnoxious :) i can't say there is something i never said i'd wear....although floral pants are seriously cutting it close, we'll see how it progresses....but, i think i'm open to a lot more now because of blogs..

    ReplyDelete
  22. such cute pieces!  i really REALLY wanna get me a pair of floral pants!

    Claire

    ReplyDelete
  23. Last year around this time I wouldn't have even looked at anything neon..  It just felt dated to me but not anymore...I don't mind it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Candyfloss Persie20 June

    Whenever I hear someone like that talking I am ALWAYS reminded of the scene in Devil Wears Prada where she tells Ann Hathaway that that 'indie' belt she's wearing was made by "the people in this room". It's SO true. I think people just don't realize it.

    ReplyDelete
  25. My buddy Libby and I used to do our own fashion critique of the older ladies at work...

    ReplyDelete
  26. nicely said and nice point of view!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Absolutely, I love that scene too! -xo

    ReplyDelete
  28. caroline_siao20 June

    I love your point of view esp when you said trendy-wearing sponge haha!

    btw, I have a Romwe dress giveaway on my blog, if you want to join :
    http://missoline.blogspot.com/

    Love,
    Caroline

    ReplyDelete
  29. love that mint skirt & floral pants! when i was in my teens, i said i would never wear pink as it's too sweet & girly. hahaha! now i wear pink unabashedly :P
    xoxo
    mochaccinoland.blogspot.com
    //collar necklace giveaway on my blog//

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for your lovely comment!  I love your blog an am following now :)  Yes, it's great to be inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm with Caitlin (comment below)...I can't help but to always flashback to that precise 'Devil Wears Prada' scene. It is so incredibly true in the fashion world.  :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Mary Jo at Trustyourstyle20 June

    Haha, love your thoughts on this. And oh yes, I had so many fashion disasters in the 80s, I swore I'd never wear any of it again, yet here I am contemplating floral jeans. Fashion is fun in my book and the moment it's too serious it's time to have a reality check.

    xo Mary Jo

    ReplyDelete
  33. sisters closet20 June

    Well said! Love how you succinctly gave it to her.
     Pre-blogging, I (Bisola) wasn't so much into the 60's fashion, and neon colors - but now I don't mind them at all.

    xx
    5th&6th

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh to Be a Muse20 June

    Haha! This was classic. Everyone is inspired by fashion trends in some way, shape or form...and whether they want to be or not. It doesn't mean you are a trend-whore or avid fashion mag reader, but something subtle or subliminal led her to wear floral pants and a bf blazer...just saying. :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Very pretty collage! i love pleats and when they're on summer clothes they give this playful vibe I just want to twist!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I totally agree with you.  People just don't realize how they are being influenced. 

    ReplyDelete
  37. Da Paura21 June

    So true and you are such a great writer!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Cee F.21 June

    Wow -it's hard to believe that someone wearing a boyfriend blazer and floral trousers could possibly think they didn't follow trends! We're all influenced by trends, whether we're aware of it or not... Just one short year ago, I abhorred the denim-on-denim look. But it grew on me. And now I love! Everyone is influenced by something :)
    xox,
    Cee

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oh thanks so much Rachel for the sweet comment! xo

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thank you!
    Yes, blogging has inspired me as well with my style selections. :)

    ReplyDelete

© FASHION TALES. Design by FCD.