Filed under: Comment
… though it’s somewhat undermined by the fact my beloved Birkenstocks are now – according to Vogue – the latest darling of the catwalk and fashion industry.
I can see how they might come to that conclusion when a supermodel wears them, but it all goes to shit – like it would if I ever was to wear a suit – when I’m seen traipsing down a Shanghai street sporting a pair.
But that’s the the thing with fashion, it’s not about looking good, it’s about the illusion of progressiveness, drama and newness … even if you’re actually going backwards and you come up with stuff that looks utterly ridiculous when worn by 99.98% of the population.
On a street.
In Luton.
On the bright side, adland suddenly doesn’t look nearly so elitist any more.
27 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
If you don’t change your look for 40 years, the law of fashion averages state you will fall in to temporary relevance every now and then. Enjoy your moment Rob.
Comment by Bazza October 20, 2014 @ 6:26 amive never seen a photo of the fucker when he was born but im fucking certain he came out looking like he does now.
Comment by andy@cynic October 20, 2014 @ 7:11 amDon’t forget I did have a long hair period so there was something there for a while.
The mad thing is it looked even more ridiculous than I do without any head foliage so basically I’ve been doomed from the moment I was born.
Plus I’m from Nottingham, which basically qualifies me for ‘victim support’ from the government. Probably.
Comment by Rob October 20, 2014 @ 8:29 amYou’re right Rob, the standard of style serial abusers, drug addicts and wife beaters wear these days is much better.
Comment by DH October 20, 2014 @ 6:38 amthat would be funny if it wasnt so fucking true.
Comment by andy@cynic October 20, 2014 @ 7:12 amI don’t think you should ever write about style or fashion Rob. You’re pushing your luck with planning but fashion is a step far too far.
Comment by DH October 20, 2014 @ 6:40 amAnd birkenstocks are still filthy footware, whatever those drugged up editors at vogue say.
Comment by DH October 20, 2014 @ 6:42 amAs much as I hate to agree with you, I have to agree with you. Especially as the ‘birkenstocks’ that apparently epitomise modern day cool & style are bright white. Seriously. Wearing birkenstocks is bad enough, but wearing a pair that screams “look at my feet” wherever you go just smacks of fashion madness to me.
Comment by Rob October 20, 2014 @ 8:30 amFashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment.
Comment by John October 20, 2014 @ 6:59 amwho the fuck are you?
Comment by andy@cynic October 20, 2014 @ 7:13 amTom Ford wannabe.
Comment by Billy Whizz October 20, 2014 @ 7:44 amBloody hell John, that’s deep.
So maybe we should change that well known phrase to “dress for the life you wish you led, rather than the life you have”. Which would sound great if I wasn’t dressed like a 15 year old kid. From 1985.
Jesus, I don’t even want to consider what that says.
And no, I don’t need anyone telling me either. Ha.
Comment by Rob October 20, 2014 @ 8:31 am2 fucking words.
jimmy.
Comment by andy@cynic October 20, 2014 @ 8:46 amsaville.
#operationyewtree
Comment by DH October 20, 2014 @ 8:55 amadlands fashion hasnt fucking changed. maybe the ponytail wank has gone but jeans, an ironic fucking tshirt and the sort of glasses the nhs used to give for free and no one wanted to wear because you looked like a nerd pedo. what are you wearing today campbell? go on, prove me fucking wrong.
Comment by andy@cynic October 20, 2014 @ 7:15 amI’ll get in on that bet.
Comment by DH October 20, 2014 @ 7:57 amOh shit.
Today I am wearing a t-shirt featuring ‘Angela Lansbury’ stating “I am talking murder” … a pair of jeans … birkenstocks [of course] and a new pair of specs that look awfully like a pair of NHS ones. I’m a bloody walking cliche. ARGHHHHHHH!
Comment by Rob October 20, 2014 @ 8:33 amWorse, I came to work on my bike and my bag is one of those bloody courier-type satchels.
I’m going to thrash myself 1,000 times today.
Though on the positive, I’m not alone looking like a school kid from 1985, which makes a change.
Comment by Rob October 20, 2014 @ 8:33 amyoure even fucking worse than i feared. get a fucking grip you sad bastard. youre going to be a dad and the poor kid is going to be embarrassed enough by you alfuckingready.
Comment by andy@cynic October 20, 2014 @ 8:48 amI would like to see you in either of those suits Rob.
Comment by Pete October 20, 2014 @ 11:07 amFor most people fashion is fun
Comment by Northern October 20, 2014 @ 3:13 pmIt tends to be the press that ties itself in knots in my view
I do find it funny that agency types that like to reject uniforms and stuff all manage to be as uniform as the Minions
“I want to be different, just like everyone else”.
But I note everyone else seems to draw the line where birkenstocks are concerned.
Comment by Rob October 20, 2014 @ 6:02 pmNot me unfortunately. But white ones?
Comment by Northern October 20, 2014 @ 6:43 pmJohn’s comment about imprisonment is quite on point for these pictures as is shows the tension between black players trying to balance personal identity with group pressures (from own community and and white/owners and audiences, in a nice way).
The first suit is an updated (circa early 2000’s give the draft class) version of the zoot suit (always associated with Mexican and black people).
Steve Harvey (at that point riding high with the Kings of Comedy and very much a point of reference of the (black) underdog who bucked the system to make his money, his way) is known for wearing them, still.
And it got appropriated by kids growing up on Gangsta rap (tupac and snoop wore similar type suits in the America’s most wanted video, complete with pimp hat), but needing to adapt to the the post David Stern clothing NBA rules (as a reaction to Allen Iverson being allegedly perceived too black for some owner’s liking).
People is as people does, so that more tailored suits are now worn by current draft classes can be partly traced to Andre 3k (idlewood movie), Fonzworth Bentley (puff daddy’s PA) and to an extend Jay-z and Kanye exposing more tailored clothes and wearing them to the point that it was no longer seen as ‘pause’ clothes (‘pause’ the stop word dipset introduced when one said something that could be construed to be gay).
Again finding ways of playing all sides while making sure personality shines through.
As for it being more dapper, that is a matter of taste as both were in vogue at some point in time.
Perhaps the African american athletes face similar social pressures as the Chinese youth, you sometime write about (though that is painting with very broad strokes)?
Love to hear your thoughts, Rob, on how clothes are viewed by Chinese males (in the office and for dating)?
Great post indeed.
Comment by niko October 20, 2014 @ 8:22 pmAnd he’s back!!!
Comment by Rob October 20, 2014 @ 8:34 pmfuck me. he managed to escape and he still came back. what the fuck is wrong with you niko? thats fucking grounds to be locked up in a padded fucking cell.
Comment by andy@cynic October 20, 2014 @ 11:42 pmOne born every minute.
Comment by DH October 21, 2014 @ 12:39 am