Trends I Weirdly Found Interesting

I’ve decided to write about something different for my last blog post. Interesting trends throughout the years; trends I have either questioned, loved, or have always wondered about.

I have always been in awe of the years before I was born. How it would have been to live in the 60s, 70s or 80s? The whole idea of it fascinates me, and to this day, I question my parents or my aunts and uncles; How was it like to live back then. In particular, how did they dress? What was the style?

From a child’s perspective, my own, I remember seeing my aunts rocking out the big 80s hairstyles, the bangles and legwarmers. Wearing oversized white buttoned shirts. My uncles, donning the rough-looking jean coat attire or wearing workout shorts outside their sweatpants with the folded red bandana across their forehead (a makeshift sweatband). I saw pictures of my parents; my mom wearing bell-bottom jeans with a leather jacket and my dad sporting the long, haired, curly hairdo with rugged jeans and a black t-shirt.

Growing up, I have seen many trends come and go. But here are some I remember profoundly; and the others I found interesting.

The Zoot Suit

The 1940s: The Zoot Suit

A high-waisted, wide-legged, tight cuffed, pegged trousers (pegged is cut full in the waist and thigh area) paired with a wide, long coat with super-sized shoulder pads. Often worn with a coordinating matching fedora or pork pie hat.

This was popular with African American, Latino, Italian American, and Filipino American communities during the 1940s. Worn by minority men in working-class neighbourhoods. There is just something about this style that interests me, it’s unique, and no designer is affiliated with the look. It was born on the streets. It would be amazing to experience how this zoot suit came to life.

The first time I saw a style of this suit was in Janet Jackson’s “Alright” music video, linked here.

Elvis Presley performing in Jumpsuit

The 1970s and 1980s: Jumpsuits for Men

A slim-fitting, one-piece garment, covering the legs and arms.

Influenced by music and social movements. You can still see this style out there, but it is not very trendy as it was in the 70s and 80s. It was also worn during the disco-era. As you might already know, Elvis Presley was known for his jumpsuits. He worked with costume designer Bill Belew to design them. Each jumpsuit was made with beautifully detailed designs. I have always wondered what Elvis found fascinating about his jumpsuits?

The 1980s: Leg Warmers and slouch socks.

I have to admit I am a big leg warmer fan. Leg warmers are my go-to thing for winter, my sock drawer is filled with an array of different varieties. And I always wear them around the house. As for slouch socks, they have the same sense of style as a leg warmer, except they cover your feet. And yes, I also have those handy in my sock drawer. One of my favourite trends.

The 1980s and early 1990s: MC Hammer Pants

I remember everyone my age did not get what the hype was about this trend. We simply did not care and just found it weird and funny. And to my surprise, this trend came back to life in 2019.

The 1990s: T-Shirts Over Long-Sleeve Shirts

This trend I grew up with during the grunge-era. And I cannot break free from it. Sometimes, I find myself still throwing a t-shirt over my long-sleeve shirt. It is comfy, and I love everything about it. I love anything that has to do with grunge.

Billie Eilish

The 2000s: Oversized Clothing

I remember this being popular during the 90s also, the wide-legged pants or jeans, I had a couple of pair of those, it was popular amongst teens, still to this day. At the moment, my daughter is very much into this trend. She loves wearing oversized shirts and hoodies. The one celebrity known for this style is Billie Eilish.

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Colleen Moore

Colleen is a second-year student in the professional writing program at Algonquin College. She enjoys reading, old school zombie movies, family game nights and currently found a new passion for poetry. She is either busy doing assignments or playing Mario party with her daughter on the weekends.

Nerds of Today: Fashion and Gamers.

Video game character outfits have evolved from the blue overalls and red shirts we’ve grown familiar with.

Pocket protectors, jam jar glasses, and ill fitting clothing - retro nerds weren’t exactly on the cutting edge of fashion.

But today you might think twice when seeing a self-identified gamer. Contemporary gamers are beginning to carve out a more stylish name for themselves. Conventions are full of all black outfits, designer bags, and even influencers.

Harper’s Bazaar attributes this to an actual shift in mentality regarding gaming. No longer are teenaged boys the face of modern gaming; Women, seniors, parents, working professionals all can bond over the interactive narratives that videogames have evolved into. Former Harper’s Bazaar contributor Lucy Yeomans has this to say about the direction of games:

”Gaming feels like the next step in the content evolution. People are taking it seriously. All you need is to look at the numbers to know that gaming is where it’s going.”

Gaming is getting bigger, more artistic, more accessible - but what does this mean for gamers themselves? The social acceptance surrounding games is giving gamers confidence in themselves, going outside the bubble of comfort and into a more fashionable scene.

Widely known pro-gaming group FaZe Clan has gamers-turned-models in their flock. One, Nate Hill of the FaZe Clan has modeled multiple times at New York Fashion Week. Another professional gamer and influencer Ben Lupo explained to Wired the contrast between the now-fashionable modern gamers and how he viewed himself starting out in gaming.

“Before Fortnite and all that stuff blew up, I never really considered myself as someone who tried to maintain some level of fashion sense whatsoever, if you look back 10 years, being a gamer was very unfashionable. I wore jeans and a t-shirt and that’s that. Now, I have nice shoes,”

The combination of the rise of e-sports, influencer culture, and gamers releasing their own merch has propelled the gamer style into what it is today: Modified and fashionable athletic wear, largely. Comfortable clothing that can be effortlessly been paired with high price tag luxury items like a Gucci t-shirt is what makes up the top influencers’ wardrobes, projecting this uniform onto their fans.

As the gamer demographic grows, so too does the marketing strategies of many companies. You can pick up a Play Station 5 at Shoppers Drug Mart, and Fortnite logo-adorned clothing is available at Wal-Mart. The growing market of nerds with disposable income and a new desire to look good is hard for any company to ignore. In 2016 Louis Vuitton created campaign with virtual model Lightening, a character from Final Fantasy. The Sims have collaborated with high-fashion brad Moschino for in-game clothing, and even fashionista Kim Kardashian created her own mobile game - Kim Kardashian: Hollywood.

Gaming has come a long way from being inaccessible, expensive machines only playable at home to massive powerful computers, portable systems, and captivating mobile games. The scope of games is widening each year, and so is the culture of gaming. Having media recognition, brands sponsoring e-sports, and more representation and acceptance of gamers, means more confidence this group will have. From being collectively bullied by society to being one of the fastest growing industries, both for developers and influencers, don’t count out gamer’s sense of fashion - and the road it will take.

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Cassidy Shea

Cassidy is a second year student in Algonquin College's Professional Writing Program. Her interests include fashion, activism, and digital art. Passionate to work in a field that directly helps people. If you're looking for a debate or a gaming partner look no further.

The Needles in a Haystack: Niche Fashion Trends You Need to Know About

The world of fashion is broad and has layers to it. Like a light switch, it feels like trends just come and go. Every now and then people get tired of one trend and immediately move onto the next. Because of the constant flickering of the lights, on and off, we tend to miss certain fashion trends. Trends that go under the radar, unnoticed by most but found by some. Hence why they are what we like to call Niche fashion. You may not know about them but some people do and some niche trends are taking the fashion world by storm. Let’s take a look at some of these niche looks and see why they remain under the radar.

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The Whipstitch:

Noemi Merlant from Vogue.com

Whipstitched fashion (or sometimes Laced-up fashion) has been a trend that has been under-appreciated for many decades now. In recent years the popularity of vintage and old style has become a rising trend for many reasons, mainly because everyone loves that era of pop culture; the music, the movies, and the fashion have taken a new liking to the 2010s. Whipstitch seems to date back from the ‘70s when punk rock and goth culture grew into its infancy. It only became more popular in that genre until recently when certain brands started putting whipstitches into blouses and dresses. This was done notably in 2014 and 2016 during numerous runways and catwalks.

DKNY, Fendi and others are among the companies inspired by this once punk and goth look. The trend recently made another appearance in Vogue on September 20th, 2020 when Noemie Merlant reinterpreted the classic whipstitch look at the Deauville American Film Festival.

Camp:

“Camp is always presented with an invisible wink to the audience”

- Susan Sontag

Lady gaga at the 2019 met gala

You can’t go wrong with standing out. But, is there such a thing as standing out too much? Not according to Camp fashion, that is. When people think of camp in fashion, most would probably think back to the iconic Met Gala of 2019 where this grand fashion category spiked in popularity due to this event. However, camp is an ancient fashion choice that covers many trends over many centuries. The idea of camp can date back to the era when Louis XIV reigned over France. His style is considered camp because of the over-the-top garments, which he was well-known for. Oscar Wilde was also very renowned for his “Low-Camp” stylistic choices; though his type of camp was toned down, he still stood out from most men with his fashion choices.

Today, camp can be seen in so many different places in fashion. From numerous catwalks, festivals, award ceremonies, and RuPaul’s Drag Race seasons, camp is still widely in our culture.

Celebrity Fashion:

Harry Styles From vanityfair.com

Bjork from Vogue.com

And Speaking of award ceremonies, there have been many fashion choices over the years in pop culture that have shaped the eye of the beholder. From TV, movies, web shows, and even literature, so many styles have stained our vision and might’ve even influenced what you or others wear. One celebrity, in particular, that is hitting the fashion eye right now is Harry styles. Even before the infamous November Vogue issue, Harry Styles has been influencing fashion for a good five or six years now. From his music videos to his talk show and red carpet appearances, this man has graced audiences with spectacular styles every time. 

Another celebrity who possibly would have the Midas touch would have to be Lady Gaga. There isn’t much to say here other than she is yet another reason why the style of camp is so appreciated even today. There is genuinely nothing in the world that Lady Gaga cannot touch.

However, there is still one stylistic choice made almost 20 years ago that still has people talking about it and this is Bjork’s infamous swan dress. Worn during the 73rd Academy Awards, Bjork made many heads turn from the dress that looked like a swan. It was voted as one of the best fashion dresses of all time by many magazines and articles; some designers incorporate the idea in their dresses to this day.

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Nick’s Bio

Nick is a second year professional writing student at algonquin college, hoping to pursue work in either journalism or scriptwriting. Nick hopes to become someone that makes his readers ponder about the many things in which life has to offer. In his down time, you can find him playing on his nintendo switch, organizing his many pokemon cards, or obsessively writing one of his many stories--most notably Radio Heads, a young adult drama about musicians.

2020’s Five Best Dressed Celebrities

As 2020 winds down, we can only hope that with the turn of the clock from 11:59pm to 12:00am on January 1st, comes a fresh start for 2021. Although the beginning of next year will be far from perfect (we’ve still got a long way to go) we must do the best we can to start it on the right foot. Meanwhile, lets reminisce in celebrity styles in 2020 and acknowledge the years top fashion icons, garment gods and goddesses, wardrobe warriors, and outfit Olympians.

5. Normcore streetwear maven, Shia Labeouf

At first glance, Shia may appear to have a style that says, “I don’t give a sh*t.” And while that is partly true, Shia is the epitome of personal fashion—finding exactly what you like and sticking to it. In a 2020 interview with Sean Evans, he mentions that he’s “big into shapes” and is not concerned about trends. LaBeouf can be spotted wearing anything from oversized Patagonia fleece sweaters, skinny jeans, combat boots, Uggs, and even tights on some occasions. Although not evident to most, Shia is a streetwear maven. For an entire Instagram dedicated to archiving Shia’s looks, click here!

Photo courtesy of upscalehype.com / no copyright infringement intended

4. Preppy colour God, Tyler the Creator

Tyler has been heavily involved in fashion since the inception of his career more than a decade ago. Evolving from OFWGKTA branded tees and hoodies, to creating his own majorly successful label Golf (Wang/La Fleur), he’s become known for his prep-inspired street style. Usually seen donning cropped pants, vests, a cornucopia of different hats, cardigans, loafers, the list goes on. Tyler is always evolving, and it’s very interesting to watch and see what he comes up with next. Check out PopSugar’s slideshow of Tyler’s Best Style Moments.

Original image source unknown / no copyright infringement intended

3. Relatability queen, Emma Chamberlain

YouTube and Instagram personality Emma Chamberlain probably has the most relatable wardrobe of any of these celebs, and she kills it—every. Damn. Time. Her wardrobe is a welcome mix of luxury pieces, thrifted threads, and DIY items. Her looks are diverse enough that it’s difficult to label her style as anything concrete. Some of her past looks are inspired by workwear, streetwear, high-fashion, and lazy Sunday vibes. Emma often posts her outfits on her personal Instagram account—check it out here!

Photo courtesy of dressthenines.com / no copyright infringement intended

2. Mr. sophisticated and refined, Jeff Goldblum

When he isn’t Dr. Ian Malcolm, he’s Jeff Goldblum: master of sophisticated menswear. Goldblum is often cloaked in loud Prada camp collar shirts and Yves Saint Laurent two-piece suits. What Goldblum does better than almost any other celebrity (save maybe for Johnny Depp) is rock a nice pair of glasses…and he has many of them. The day that Jeff Goldblum isn’t looking dapper, is the day the world will end. Click here for a compilation of Goldblum’s best outfits curated by GQ Magazine.

Photo courtesy of GQ.com / no copyright infringement intended

1. Boundary breaking wardrobe warrior and 2020’s king of fashion, Harry Styles

Harry Styles. Harry Styles. Harry Styles. Say it once, then say it again. Styles is majorly responsible for the progress we’ve made thus far in tearing down gender norms in fashion. Just last week, he graced the cover of Vogue Magazine donning a blue and black ruffled Gucci ball-gown underneath an elegant black tailored blazer—and I’m here for it. Knits, animals prints, suits—Styles wears it all, regardless of gender labels or social norms—and he’s the most fashion forward celebrity because of that. He’s one of the few people that looks good in virtually everything he wears. For a comprehensive archive of Styles fits, click here!

Photo courtesy of whowhatwear.com / no copyright infringement intended

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Chad Hetherington

A fashion enthusiast and leisurely, self directed pupil of philosophy, Chad loves nothing more than love itself. In his free time, you’ll probably find him playing video games, spending time with his tight knit friends and family, or browsing for clothes.

Five Great Gift ideas for the makeup Lover in your Life

If you're like me and you love expressing your inner creativity with makeup, then this is the post for you. The holidays are the perfect time to receive new palettes and products, mostly since many brands such as Too Faced Cosmetics and QUO Beauty often release entire collections tailored to the holiday season. But if you're like me, and gift-giving is a source of stress and anxiety due to second-guessing, then allow my recommendations to help you choose the perfect present for the makeup lover in your life.

1. For the budding makeup artist in your life, consider any of the LORAC Cosmetics Palettes

LORAC Cosmetics is one of those brands that has been around forever – and they have the quality to prove it. When I purchased their original Pro Palette a few months ago, I was thrilled with the shadows' quality. LORAC pro palettes consist of 16 shades: 8 matte shadows and 8 shimmers. The original Pro Palette was a neutral themed palette yet provided such potential for more outlandish looks with some of the bolder colours, such as the grey-toned blue shade 'slate' and the deep purple shade aptly named 'deep purple'.

I was so happy with this palette that I bought its sequel, the Pro Palette 2. This one was more geared towards pops of colour and the quintessential 'smokey eye' technique, featuring beautiful colours such as 'Navy,' a matte dark blue, and 'Jade,' a shimmery olive green with the slightest touch of grey to really make it pop.

Both palettes are my absolute favourites and are reasonably priced, too! They are the perfect gift for a young girl just starting to experiment with makeup and for someone looking to cut down the content of her makeup bag to just a few well-loved favourites. Get them now at Shoppers Drugmart, or through the official LORAC cosmetics website – just be careful, as the LORAC website is in USD.

2. For inspiration, Making Faces & Face Forward by renowned makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin

Kevyn Aucoin was the best of the best when it came to makeup artists and worked with many celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Winona Ryder, and even Cher. One can safely state that he wrote the book on modern makeup application and not be called a liar – when reading his books, published in 1997 (Making Faces) and 2001 (Face Forward), the looks he created are timeless. If you're like me and often struggle to follow makeup tutorials by rich beauty gurus who plug in their affiliate codes with each breath, then I do suggest buying a copy of Kevyn Aucoin's books. Either one will fill you will new ideas, and while some might find his refusal to name specific brands used with each eye look annoying, it will provide you with the freedom to choose the brand yourself – makes saving money a breeze, let me tell you. You can pick up both books at Indigo.ca, or Amazon.ca.

3. For the ‘less is more’ makeup lover in your life, MILK Makeup Here for the Party Gift Set, by Sephora

Veganism is something our world is turning more towards in many different aspects, from food to ethically sourced fabrics for fashion to makeup products without animal products in them. To that, I say, hooray! The more sustainable a product, the easier it will be not only on your skin but also on the environment. MILK Makeup is a brand committed to providing consumers with vegan and cruelty-free products that anyone can use – though not without a bit of a price tag. While I have never used MILK products myself, they have a range of subtle, natural products for a 'less is more' look. On another note, if you're worried about purchasing makeup for someone you might not know well, it does not hurt to purchase vegan make up for them – being inclusive in gift-giving is a must. I specifically picked this gift set because it features 5 miniature MILK products; that way, the recipient can try out a few new products and then decide to buy a full-sized product later on. That's the beauty of trial sizes: you'll know a product was not wasted. Get the set from Sephora here.

4. For the budding beauty guru, Anastasia Beverly Hills Sultry Eyeshadow Palette Vault

Now, this is the perfect gift for a known makeup lover. Anastasia Beverly Hills, or ABH as it is often abbreviated, is another brand that both makeup junkies and beauty gurus love. I recently bought the much-loved Soft Glam palette from ABH, and the colour story of warm reds, oranges, and golds is perfect for the holidays. However, the palette I'm talking about today is the Sultry Palette by ABH. Now, I love gift sets. If you know someone likes a particular brand, gift sets make getting them a good gift so easy because they often provide more than one component for a lower price. This gift set includes the palette itself, which features a muted colour story with plenty of shimmery glitter shades, which is perfect for the holidays and New Year's, along with a full-sized eyeliner, mascara, and a trial sized eye primer. Get it here at Beauty Bay.

5. For the undecided, try a gift card to Sephora or Beauty Bay

Last but not least, go simple with a gift card. Sephora is the biggest luxury beauty retailer in Canada, though if your recipient is after a brand not found in Canada, Beauty Bay is your friend. Gift cards can be purchased through each brand's website.

Hi! I’m Jules.

Jules is a second-year student at Algonquin college hoping to become a successful ghostwriter someday. She spends most of her time reading books, playing adventure games on her Nintendo switch, and giving her cat plenty of love.

Child labour in the fashion industry

Photo Courtesy of rene bernal (unsplash.com)

As I mentioned before in my last blog post about the shenanigans that fast fashion imposes, I left out an important issue that deserves to be unmasked.

Child labour.

Unfortunately, the fashion industry does contribute to this type of undertaking that is still happening to this day.

Nearly 1 in 10 children across the globe (around 152 million) are subjected to child labour, almost half of whom are in hazardous forms of work.

https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-labour

Because of the great demand and supply of textiles and garments needed in the industry, brands and other clothing companies rely on this type of labour. Even if they claim they may not be aware of it or turn a blind eye and ignore it is happening. Some companies even declare to consumers that they pose strict guidelines to stop this kind of labour. It is a little hard to believe after learning how much children in the world are still engaged in child labour today.

I can understand how they cannot enforce the guidelines because it is happening in other countries, with different laws and rules. These countries do not provide protection for working children who work or are forced to work and simply do not care as long as the job is done.

But because of the demand for finding cheaper sources to produce the textiles and garments, the fashion industry holds the pioneering role of employing this kind of labour.

Although child labour is prevalent in the most impoverished countries in the world. In many other countries, it is not permitted. The causes, poverty hardships people encounter in these countries and no laws to protect the children, they are taken advantage of. It is a continuous harsh cycle for poverty-stricken families. They are left with no choice to let their children work or even force them to, and the consequences are upsetting. The children are faced with terrible physical and mental harm, restricting their rights to go to school and have proper healthcare, threatening their futures.

In South India, parents are tricked into sending their daughters to work in spinning mills (a place where the production of yarn or cloth is from cotton). Promised that their children will be taken care of, with a suitable place to live, fed nutritious meals, provide training and schooling and a payout after three years. But in the end, they do not get paid. Instead, forced to work long hours, work in hazardous conditions, violated their human rights. To become…

A modern-day slave.

In the statement above, it was hard to declare, especially the particular word slave. It is the description of the reality of what child labour is today. What is harder to grasp is children who are placed into this type of subjection.

““In reality, they are working under appalling conditions that amount to modern-day slavery and the worst forms of child labour.””

— As stated in the SOMO report by the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations.

Here are some examples of the work children do across the world:

Photo courtesy of janine robinson (unsplash.com)

The production of cotton seeds in Benin (West Africa). Harvest in Uzbekistan (Central Asia).

Children transfer pollen from one plant to another and chosen to pick the cotton because of their small hands and fingers (which do not damage the crops).

Yarn spinning in India. Sixty percent of workers at the mills in India are under the age of eighteen. The youngest workers start at the age of fifteen.

In Bangladesh factories, they are used to put garments together. The children dye, sew buttons, cut and trim threads, fold, move and pack the garments. They also do such tasks as embroidering, sequin and smocking (making pleats).

Keep in mind, they get paid way below minimum wage, work long hours, expose to harsh chemicals, and work in hazardous conditions that affect their health. These are little children who have to endure this type of work because of the social inequalities in the world. And it is discouraging that the fashion industry takes advantage of this situation.

By 2025, an estimated 121 million children will be in child labour, with 52 million enduring hazardous work.

https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-labour

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Colleen Moore

Colleen is a second-year student in the professional writing program at Algonquin College. She enjoys reading, old school zombie movies, family game nights and currently found a new passion for poetry. She is either busy doing assignments or playing Mario party with her daughter on the weekends.

Fashion and Working Women: A Tale of Two Trials

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From heels to hair, how does professional attire harm the working woman?

Workplace equality has come a long way: women are able to work, men are able to take maternity leave to help their families, and diversity action plans have made it a priority to employ people from all walks of life. Still, in Canada and globally, we see how greatly our culture of beauty affects all things, the workplace included. Beauty standards create unsafe, unproductive, and uncomfortable work environments for women. Our cultural view of what women’s beauty has infiltrated the professional standards we hold women to.

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  One of the ways beauty standards and misogyny rear their ugly heads in the workplace is when policies take issue with women of colour wearing their hair in its natural state; an issue predominantly experienced by black women in North America. A survey conducted by Perception Institute concluded that, on average, black women perceive a level of social stigma while wearing their hair naturally (not straightened or relaxed).

This bias that black women’s hair is less “professional” (according to Perception Institute) is considered detrimental to their professional development and their overall comfort in the workplace.

The harmful beauty standards the West is perpetuating are increasingly obvious when we see what people like Leila have experienced. Leila (an alias used for protection) works in a consultancy firm and recalls her experiences with harmful beauty standards:

            "I am West African, and I work at a consultancy firm in London. I am always being made to feel that my natural hair gives the impression that I am unprofessional…A few years ago I had my hair styled in cornrows and I was asked quite blatantly by my boss how long it would be before my hair was back to 'normal'.           

This example, unfortunately, is far too common in Western countries.

Companies perpetuate the idea that natural afros, locks, and braids are unkempt and unprofessional. In 2010, Chasity Jones experienced a similar incident to Leila, when a job offer came with an ultimatum –“Cut off your locks if you would like to work here.” Upon refusal, Jones lost her job offer.

The grasp of beauty standards extends into uniforms as well. Internationally, women are often required to wear dresses, high heels, and makeup for their uniforms.

A staple of feminine “professional” attire is well-kept hair and makeup. Often, dress codes differ for men and women –men are encouraged to wear suits which are generally more versatile and moveable than the restrictive skirts and dresses women must wear. The Ontario Human Rights Commission affirms these experiences by stating: “Sexualized and gender-specific dress codes are all too common in some restaurants and bars and can be found in other services… These kinds of dress codes reinforce stereotypical and sexist notions about how women should work and may violate Ontario’s Human Rights Code.” However, the general rule is that “female employees should not be expected to meet more difficult requirements than male employees.”

High heels in the workplace, are specifically proven to be extraordinarily detrimental. James Hill, the president of the Ontario Podiatric Medical Association states “Clinical evidence demonstrates that wearing high-heeled shoes causes a much higher incidence of bunions, musculoskeletal pain… Podiatrists treat foot pain and deformities in women twice as often as foot disabilities in men, often due to having to wear high heels in their workplaces.”

High heels, something seen as so universally fashionable and professional, are known to cause lasting damage. Women here are the ones left to deal with the lasting health concerns.

I leave you with these thoughts:

How can we unpack the idea that women do not need to have a certain look to be professional?
Why are comfortable clothes considered unprofessional for women?

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Cassidy Shea

Cassidy is a second year student in Algonquin College's Professional Writing Program. Her interests include fashion, activism, and digital art. Passionate to work in a field that directly helps people. If you're looking for a debate or a gaming partner look no further.

What Women Want: 100 Years of Women's Fashion

From Burst

There’s no denying that fashion will forever shape the way we all wear things or express ourselves. Fashion - especially for women - has changed so much throughout the years. It’s hard to keep track of what came and what went away. Every trend brought a new definition to the words expression, diversity and fluidity; so, let’s take a look at how much women’s fashion has changed throughout the last 10 decades and see what was popular and why these trends were so… trendy!

The Roaring ‘20s:

From crfashionbook.com

After the first World War ended in 1918, women felt more empowered than ever due to their right to vote, which came along the previous year. Because of this, the younger generation tailored their attire to more rebellious wear; showing your legs were frowned upon for girls back then, which made the infamous flapper dress a rambunctious but also perfect choice for young girls to shift the traditional convention of what a girl wears.

The Slow ‘30s:

During the Great Depression, fashion wasn’t as accessible to many people. So, instead of wearing the clothes themselves, everyday people watched actors & actresses wear the golden fashion of that decade. Old Hollywood stars wore long, dark silk dresses with a low back cut. This made the women look desirable, showing off the fortune and fantasy that most desperately wanted in their own lives. Elegant and classy were the styles for this decade.

The Combative ‘40s:

Rosie the Riveter From crfashionbook.com

The Second World War crept up the world during the forties, which meant men once more going out to fight while women went back to the workforce. Because of this, fashion took a huge left turn when it came to traditional styles. More conventional styles like DIY jumpsuits, rompers and others were made from old clothes and materials made from denim or cotton. There’s a reason why Rosie the Riveter wears denim--because women were reinventing the fashion norms drastically! Women also needed to wear versatile, durable clothes - short skirts of velvet or silk were out of place in a steel factory.

The Booming ‘50s:

With Christian Dior’s fashion taking a bit of leeway at the end of the forties, they took the spotlight in the fifties when the Second World War ended. Christian Dior’s fashion line included large petticoats and wide-cut skirts (much like the infamous poodle dresses of the era.) Women were expected to look polished and perfect all the time during this decade, which is why pearl jewelry was a big influence. 

The Swinging ‘60s:

Jacqueline Kennedy From crfashionbook.com

Simplistic fashion was the central theme for women’s fashion in the sixties. This theme swung into the mainstream when first lady Jacqueline Kennedy was in the public eye. Many women wanted to embody the elegance and own the infamous pillbox hat. The second wave of feminism also made women wear more colourful dresses in a way to visually express their liberation as women. skirts became shorter as the miniskirt took centre stage.

The Groovy ‘70s:

Possibly the most memorable era of fashion, the hippie fashion trend conquered the seventies. Taking inspiration from the colourful dresses of the late sixties, the hippie era included some liberating fashion choices. Women let their hair down and wore loose-fitting clothes. These included tank tops, crop tops, bell-bottoms and a lot of tie-dye! 

The Far Out ‘80s:

While the seventies exuded colorfulness, the eighties exploded colours with neon jumpsuits and scrunchies. Since more women were entering the workforce during this decade, they wanted to compete with men by feeling more empowered. This is when the birth of shoulder pads came along so that women could stand beside men as equals.

The Grungy ‘90s:

While earlier decades were very colourful in their styles, the nineties decided to stay dark with the grunge era. Leather jackets, inspired by bands like Nirvana was the big face of fashion during that time. Britney Spears also inspired some looks with her famous school-girl look. But the main slogan for this decade was “More is more”. Never before was such diversity present in fashion and it only got crazier from here on out.

The Innovative 2000s & 2010s:

The 2000s and 2010s were pretty similar when it came to the traditions of fashion. Leading up to today, fashion seems to become more and more of a blurred line, with everyone doing whatever they want. Fashion companies, social media influencers, singers and anyone with a platform showcases their personal touch. This has made fashion more fluid than ever. Some women now wear male clothes; some men now wear female clothes. And somewhere in between, there is no male or female fashion. The way people choose to wear their clothing has never been so blurred, which makes things very interesting in what will happen in the decades to come. The question stands: will things continue to be blurred or with there be a rebirth with something new taking up the new conventions of fashion? Only time will tell.

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Nick’s Bio

Nick is a second year professional writing student at algonquin college, hoping to pursue work in either journalism or scriptwriting. Nick hopes to become someone that makes his readers ponder about the many things in which life has to offer. In his down time, you can find him playing on his nintendo switch, organizing his many pokemon cards, or obsessively writing one of his many stories--most notably Radio Heads, a young adult drama about musicians.

Designer Showcase: Emily Bode, Bode NYC

Diane Helentjaris, Unsplash / Please note that images used in this Blog are not affiliated with Emily Bode or Bode, NYC in any way

This wouldn’t be a fashion blog (albeit an amateur, student run-one) if we didn’t showcase at least one extraordinary designer. And who more deserving than Emily Bode of Bode, NYC—one of my absolute favourite brands as of late. Bode—who put together her first runway show for Paris Fashion Week in June of 2019—started her brand on her own terms. She’s become known for crafting one-of-a-kind garments from the ground up using a variety of vintage textiles and fabrics. Whether she’s patching up new garments using those tired fabrics or creating entirely new pieces with them, she brings new life to both the textiles themselves, and the fashion industry. 

An instant inspiration and loved by many, Bode became the first female designer to show at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in the men’s category—which came only three years after her brand's inauguration in 2016. The collection consisted of colour-blocked shirt/pants sets, corduroy work jackets with hand-drawn images, striped trousers, knit sweaters, a unique penny-lined transparent jacket, and much more. She describes Bode as follows: 

“Bode is a luxury menswear brand that expresses a sentimentality for the past through the study of personal narratives and historical techniques. Modern workwear silhouettes united with female-centric traditions of quilting, mending, and appliqué shape the collections. Each piece tells a story and is tailor-made.” bodenewyork.com

And Bode is certainly a luxury. With prices ranging anywhere from $86 (CAD) for a hand-crafted face mask to $2,000+ (CAD) for some of her hand-tailored, vintage quilt work jackets—it’s important to know why such a high price point is justified. 

The first and most obvious reason for Bode’s luxury price tags is the fabric itself. A vast majority of their pieces are crafted using actual vintage textiles, which are sourced and acquired from many different markets, attics, barns, and sweet grandmother’s across the globe. After the fabrics are acquired, they are cut, sewn, and tailored by hand in countries that have a rich heritage in garment fabrication. To boil it down, when you buy a piece from Bode, you’re buying a rare, hand made, high-quality garment that you most likely will not find anywhere else on the planet—unless you’re sourcing and sewing yourself!

You can find Bode’s one-of-a-kind pieces on their website (linked above). If you see something you like, you better scoop it up quick because they don’t sit for long. Rest assured, new unique pieces are added pretty regularly—so keep your eye out!

With a brand this young, the future can only look bright. I’m extremely excited about Bode’s future collections and to see how it evolves over time. Congratulations to Emily!

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Chad Hetherington

A fashion enthusiast and leisurely, self directed pupil of philosophy, Chad loves nothing more than love itself. In his free time, you’ll probably find him playing video games, spending time with his tight knit friends and family, or browsing for clothes.

Fast Fashion Shenanigans

Photo courtesy of xiaolong Wong (unsplash.com)

A couple of years back, I was disappointed in myself after I learned a little more about what fast fashion was about. And how I contributed to it myself.

I have to admit, I have heard about it before. But not to the extent of what was really happening behind the scenes. I was naïve. I thought of myself as a decent shopper because I really thought I was getting a good deal. But then the hard truth hit me in the face when I learned the harsh effects of what fast fashion was doing to our world.

What is fast fashion?

For those who don’t know: Fast fashion is known for its speedy process of producing trends at a much lower cost, mass production of clothing trends.

It quickly became an instant hit because it accommodated the many needs of consumers acquiring the latest trends and at a more affordable price. It evolved the whole concept of how consumers shop today. But this is the basis of what fast fashion is about and why it has progressed. Retailers have prospered because of this method. The wide range of attraction from the consumers grew because of how quickly it was made available and ready for the shelves in high quantity. It definitely made a mark in the fashion world.

What are the advantages of fast fashion?

If we take a look at a different point of view, as college students, we can see how this can benefit us.

PROS:

• More affordable clothing; an advantage for low-income consumers such as students/youth

• A greater variety of styles

• More convenient and accessible (instant gratification)

And more profitable for the big retailers out there.

But here come the shenanigans to these fast fashion “too good to be true” price tag. The cost of purchasing these kinds of clothing is much more substantial and harmful to our environment. It also contributes to the negative impacts of human beings in this world.

CONS:

• Creates large amounts of waste (unused clothing filling landfills)

• Contributes to climate change (the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions and expected to rise in the coming years)

• The chemical manufacturing process (such as bleaching, dyeing, treatments, etc.) is destroying the environment and human health.

• It creates unfair and unsafe working conditions for the garment workers in third world countries (which have poor labour laws and human rights protection). They also make unlivable wages working in this production.

• And because of the low cost of production, the product suffers. The quality of it is not up to par as many would like it to be, and frankly, it may not last as long either.

I held my breath when I came across the effects implicated by fast fashion. I actually bought clothing from retailers who manufactured at this kind of level. If I knew back then what I do now, I would have made better choices. I would have paid a little more attention. I should have been a much more conscious shopper.

I am trying to this day to be one. As I presently purchase my clothing with sustainability on my mind. I am determined that everything I buy would be useful, necessary, something I absolutely would love and always wear. And I stand here today in front of my closet, amongst my favourite clothing pieces. Proud of the fact that I put so much thought and effort into purchasing something that can benefit our environment and the human lives around the world.

Colleen Moore

Colleen is a second-year student in the professional writing program at Algonquin College. She enjoys reading, old school zombie movies, family game nights and currently found a new passion for poetry. She is either busy doing assignments or playing Mario party with her daughter on the weekends.

Children’s Fashion: Reflecting on Respectful Halloween-wear

I love Halloween.

Growing up in small-town Nova Scotia, I would cling to any social “holiday” that I could. Dressing up and being the little mermaid was a highlight of my childhood. I didn’t blink when some of my classmates were wearing costumes such as “Mexican” or “Indian Princess”.

As an adult living in 2020,

I am so blessed to have access to so much information. Learning about a new culture is literally a click away. This ease of access to information and other people has allowed us to uplift the voices of people who historically, have not had a voice. A concept that a lot of people are getting used to, in the form of racism that appears as cultural appropriation.

As the Oxford Dictionary defines it, cultural appropriation is:

The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one person or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.

Immediately, the costumes of my childhood peers come to mind.

The cheap, burlap poncho from the Wal-Mart costume section coupled with an exaggerated, inaccurate sombrero. Sat on top of blonde curls and pale skin, a child who has probably never even met a Hispanic person in his life. 

Thus lies the crux of cultural appropriation at Halloween.

Of course, children would likely not understand how to appropriately appreciate other cultures, and that wearing a cheap stereotype is harmful, but how do you explain to your child who isn’t Chinese that they cannot be Mulan for Halloween?

Parents-Together.org had great insight on levelling with your child to avoid cultural appropriation on Halloween.

“White children in particular have plenty of white characters in pop culture to choose from—and recognizing that is one way to begin informing kids about their privilege. In an opinion piece, the Redbook editors agreed that Moana isn’t the best costume choice for a white child: “This isn’t about putting a damper on your kid’s creativity; it’s about exercising sensitivity towards anyone who doesn’t get to choose how the world at large sizes them up.”

Understanding cultural appropriation and how it affects you and your family is a massive win for deconstructing any bias you may have.

It isn’t about limiting your options, just empowering yourself to choose the right ones. For some, it can be so easy to be lost in the nostalgia for days where you didn’t have to worry about a costume. For others, those times were plagued with minimal costume options, seeing their culture as a gag in a costume shop, and their sacred cultural pieces being capitalized for a few hours of trick-or-treating. 

Hopefully, next Halloween we will see more little heads on the streets, all dressed up in costume. Using this year to reflect and recharge on your influence as a parent, or even to hold yourself accountable, is incredibly valuable.

The world of fashion and costume is ever-expanding and as bottomless as a human’s imagination, let’s not disrespect others in the process.

Cassidy Shea

Cassidy is a second year student in Algonquin College's Professional Writing Program. Her interests include fashion, activism, and digital art. Passionate to work in a field that directly helps people. If you're looking for a debate or a gaming partner look no further.(edited)

The Psychology behind Your Favourite Colours and Patterns

Trends come and go; their lifecycle may not always be long, but in some weird way we still remember a good chunk of them. Some we like to keep alive because we like them so much, others we wished never happened. The brain’s main focus in life is to remain stimulated. It likes to keep itself interested by keeping an eye out on things that pop. And when it sees something like a piece of clothing or a certain pattern or colour, it gains familiarity. So the brain creates a link to what it sees often. It creates a liking or a disliking to it. The brain is a map, connecting things to where they need to go; it either puts the familiar stuff it sees in a “like” or “dislike” pile in your head. However, this all depends on one thing: perspective. This is the word that we’re going to focus on today--how the fashion industry creates our perspective and what tends to pop out the most to us.

You Are What You Wear!

If you’ve ever heard that saying before, it is absolutely true. The clothes we wear say a lot about each other, whether it’s to express uniqueness, self-confidence or because we like a certain style or colour. However, there is a large majority of people that seem to stick to the norms that fashion establishes. To explain this we look at Fashion Psychology, an entire field based on, you guessed it, the psychology behind fashion. Surprisingly, this doesn't always refer to clothing, but also makeup, tattoos, room decor and even our cars. Self-identity obviously plays an important role in this type of subject. 

But this norm that people like to stick to… what does this mean? Well, it means yes, we do like to self-express, but not so much as to attract too much attention to yourself. The fashion industry has already established these certain norms throughout society and time that shows what is normal/common and what is abnormal/uncommon. So the goal, for most people, is to be unique, but not too unique. We like to improvise every now and then but to the point where it conforms to the social normality. 

What Makes Things Pop!

It’s pretty interesting to think that the majority of people want to feel unique but not be too unique. But, within that “uniqueness” there is something else that people like to cling to: perspective. The word mentioned at the very beginning is what matters most to people, in terms of identity and self-expression. Think of your favourite colour of your favourite pattern; why is it your favourite colour? How does it speak to you? What makes it stand out rather than the rest? Can’t exactly think why? Well, most people would say “I just think it looks nice,” or something along those lines. That’s because, unfortunately, there is no real answer to this, except familiarity. 

In our childhood, we experience a lot of things, and nine times out of ten, these things shape our perspective of what we like and dislike. For example, maybe you were exposed to a lot of blue colours as a child and because of this, your favourite colour is blue. Have you ever noticed that most people’s favourite colours are blue and green? They also happen to be two of the most common colours out there as well. We attach our fashion with not just expression, but also emotion. If you felt like a certain pattern gives you happiness due to a fond memory, or once again familiarity, you tend to gravitate toward that kind of fashion choice. For example, your mom wore a nice plaid coat when you were younger; now, plaid might remind you of your mother and you’ll probably like and wear that pattern yourself, too.

Self-expression is important to everyone in this day and age. After reading about this, you can either be one of two things: follow the norm or be different. Most people want to be different but in the end, choose to be normal. It all goes back to perspective. Of course, we’re all different; we all look, talk, speak, differently. But when it comes to fashion there’s the box. It confides us. It traps people into thinking their style is different but most of us conform to the norm. Break the box. Be who you wanna be without society having to tell you how to dress. No one can tell you who you get to be, except you.

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Nick’s Bio

Nick is a second year professional writing student at algonquin college, hoping to pursue work in either journalism or scriptwriting. Nick hopes to become someone that makes his readers ponder about the many things in which life has to offer. In his down time, you can find him playing on his nintendo switch, organizing his many pokemon cards, or obsessively writing one of his many stories--most notably Radio Heads, a young adult drama about musicians.

What a Moth Eats: The Resurgence of Vintage Garments

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user: Mikoto.raw, Pexels

Within the last couple of years, fashion’s corner of the internet has seen a tremendous rise in the popularity of vintage fashion. Not just vintage-inspired looks, but the actual curation and sale of garments from as far back as the 40’s and 50’s, all the way through to the 1990s. The result of this growing interest in vintage apparel has contributed to a massive boom in vintage fashion resellers.

With so many of these retailers popping up, many specialize in specific garments, eras, brands, or cultures. In my time spent browsing many of these shops, and even buying some pieces for myself, it’s evident that a majority operate exclusively online—whether it be on their own website or through third party resale platforms like Depop, Grailed, or Etsy. In addition to these sites, you’ll find almost all of these outlets marketing and conducting business on Instagram as well. Scattered throughout the glut of shops are some that have garnered greater success, opening their own store-fronts or warehouses where vintage-inclined shoppers can examine the carefully curated wears in person.

While some curators have been successful in building a large customer base here in Canada (like Whitby, Ontario based shop Vintage 905), almost all the shops that I tend towards are based in the USA—specifically Los Angeles and Portland, OR. Both of these cities seem to have quite a large vintage fashion community of enthusiasts. Some of my favourites right now include Mothfood, Unsound Rags, and No Maintenance, all based in LA; and Hellmart and Suite Zero, based in Portland. All five of these shops sell things like: denim, graphic tees, trousers, hats, footwear, sweaters, etc. all ranging in era.

To develop a deeper understanding of the community and business of vintage fashion, I spoke with co-founder of LA-based vintage shop No Maintenance, Sebastian Moraga, to get their perspective:

When and how did you guys get started with No Maintenance?

No Maintenance began [as a] conversation back in March [2020] between the two of us (Sebastian and Roe). We had both been involved in the archival fashion market for the past two years. This brought us familiarity with e-commerce. We both had an interest in vintage clothing, we both wore it and had collected a few pieces, so it seemed like an easy start. But, No Maintenance didn’t really evolve into what it has become today until about July [of this year].

With the vintage fashion market booming in popularity over the past few years, how might you explain the continuous, rising demand for vintage garments? 

Like I mentioned before, we came from [a] background of designer goods, which was a very small niche that exploded. I believe the success of vintage clothing, to the point, that there are thousands of online shops, can be attributed to Instagram. [It’s] a combination of the right influencers and a rapidly changing menswear scene. Vintage has always been very popular. It has historically appealed to people in their 20’s and up. If you walked around San Francisco, New York, LA, etc. 5 years ago, the styles we see in vintage today are the same. In fact, I believe they are the same timeless looks that [trace] back to the 70’s when these garments were first being made. But, I believe when something catches [on] with the next generation, […] that’s when the trends explode in popularity. Pair that with [the] global phenomenon of social media, and you have kids all over the globe hungry for American vintage.

How much work goes into sourcing and acquiring garments for resale, and what does that work generally look like?

We work a ton. We have partnerships we have developed that help us with the workload. But generally speaking, work looks like this: source X amount of goods > wash/steam them > photograph/edit > measure > post on website > post on Instagram. That’s our workflow. There is a lot of work involved, but we can’t complain. It’s part of what we love.

How might you respond to criticism about inflating the price of garments that some people may argue can be found at thrift stores themselves?

Personally, I don’t feel that criticism necessarily concerns what we do. We want No Maintenance to be accessible and affordable. High prices are part of the game when you have a ton of demand. Thrifting can be quite difficult (especially during COVID-19). [Going] to a place and sorting through tons of used clothes to find one gem [is hard]. People are willing to pay a premium for the ease of having an item show up at their door. For me, it’s about finding the balance between accessibility and affordability while maintaining a certain standard. For example, we don’t do band tees too often, or many typical ‘vintage’ pieces you may see at upscale thrift stores. We try to shine a light on new styles, aesthetics, and general visual ideas.

What are some of your personal favourite eras or styles?

Personally, my interest in clothing and fashion goes beyond vintage. In terms of influence right now, it’s hard to ignore the 90’s. I think it’s just far enough away to feel distant, but an aesthetic that also fits into contemporary life. Some aspects of 80’s Japanese fashion appeal to me as well, and 70’s Americana. But generally speaking, it comes down to seasons (although LA is pretty warm year-round). I like to think we both incorporate elements of vintage Americana and vintage designer, and [when combined] they create their own distinct look.

October 28, 2020

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Chad Hetherington

A fashion enthusiast and leisurely, self directed pupil of philosophy, Chad loves nothing more than love itself. In his free time, you’ll probably find him playing video games, spending time with his tight knit friends and family, or browsing for clothes.

Tattoos: An Evolving Accessory?

Photo Courtesy of Cortney White (Unsplash.com)

Fashion has always embarked in phenomenal, innovative creations throughout the years. The design, fabric, colour, and style all are major components when creating a look, but when the time comes to showcase the final product, the accessory becomes the most important item to finalize the piece.

Accessories can be labeled as anything from a chain necklace, to a slim bracelet; hoop earrings, chunky boots and so on. Although more recently, the most popular accessory sought out by fashion and beauty industries now are tattoos.

Tattoos have begun to make a name for themself, becoming widely popular amongst millions of people today. I’m sure one of us either has a tattoo or two, hidden or exposed for all to see, or at least knows someone who has one. It’s becoming the new norm: tattoos are no longer being considered taboo or disreputable, as it once was in the past. Now, it’s become a form of self-expression; your body can be used as a canvas to express who you are as an individual in this world.

The fashion industry has captivated this trend and begun to utilize their models’ personal tattoos to vitalize their pieces. It has made a tangible impact in the showcase of it all. Tattoos are appealing to the eyes of those who follow fashion, or even don’t; by combining the two forms of art together the designer creates a beautiful, desirable vision.

Photo Courtesy of mad rabbit tattoo (unsplash.com)

Of course, the influencers being the main representation in this form of accessorizing are known to the world as celebrities, athletes and models. To name a couple, David Beckham’s underwear ad for H&M and Cara Delevingne’s ads for Chanel and Rimmel. Fashion and beauty campaigns have focused their attentions on their tattoos, exposing their art, and their individuality helps to form a connection with its consumers and society. It adds a little more personal touch to the creation, thus making tattoos an important accessory in present-day fashion.

I am not saying to get a tattoo for this sake or that you need one for an accessory, just enjoy the beauty of it when you do see it. It’s different, new, and exciting. Tattoos have been known to influence the fashion world many times before and I think it will continue to do so in the future. Its first known presence debuted in haute couture on body dresses created by Issey Miyake, in his 1971 tattoo collection. It’s interesting how its evolved in so many ways in the fashion. It definitely provides the accent needed as an accessory.

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Colleen Moore

Colleen is a second-year student in the professional writing program at Algonquin College. She enjoys reading, old school zombie movies, family game nights and currently found a new passion for poetry. She is either busy doing assignments or playing Mario party with her daughter on the weekends.

Sustainability and You

Sustainability is seemingly on everyone’s mind. As more and more youth flock to thrift stores - what else can we consider while buying secondhand?

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image: depositphotos.com

In recent years, there has been a shift in favour of affordable, sustainable fashion. Thrifting has become a treasure hunt for people who don’t want or have the means to purchase clothing from expensive brand names. Finding a pre-loved brand name shirt that would cost $50 in a store for $4.99 at a consignment is a win for both the environment and the shoppers’ pockets. However, where does the ethics of thrifting fall short? Can we tweak our habits to be more conscious shoppers?

Understand that sustainable brands exist.

Thrifting isn’t the only option if you’re interested in fashion outside of used clothing. Brands like tentree. , Amour Vert and OrganicBasics are a few of many sustainable, eco-conscious brands that offer varying styles. Purchasing basic, classic staples from eco-conscious brands will ensure that you are keeping your carbon footprint small. Avoid buying trendy items from fast fashion brands, as these will more than likely end up in a landfill.

In an interview conducted by zerowastebystander.com, thrift store owner Meag had this to say about keeping sustainable fashion in mind:

Rubber, leather and textiles make up about 9-10% of municipal solid waste in the USA according to EPA estimates. That means the average American throws out 80-ish pounds of clothes every year. It’s gross. Looking up the stats will blow your mind – it definitely made me look at my consumption & what I choose to throw away vs. donate differently.

Be mindful of the community.

If you can go without a winter coat, consider leaving items you already own for people who may need them, or buy in off-seasons. Purchasing your fifth winter coat from a thrift store in January isn’t keeping sustainable to the people in need in your community. Try to remember that other people also are in need of these clothes, potentially more-so than yourself. Leah Wise, an advocate for sustainable fashion, sums up popular misconceptions on how we as a community can be mindful when thrifting.

I’ve heard the argument, “well, homeless people will wear it” from a variety of donors over the years. And that’s problematic for a few reasons: Practically speaking, homeless people need clothing that is durable and in especially good condition because housing insecurity means they have fewer options to avoid difficult weather and living conditions. It does NOTHING for a person’s dignity to tell them they are stuck wearing the clothes no one else was willing to wear or buy. (Leah on GreenDreamer’s Podcast)

Thrifting is not inherently wrong or morally reprehensible, but it can be when you are not being mindful of the people around you. Buying for personal use and buying for the purpose of reselling should all be prefaced with the notion of community well-being in mind. That is the spirit of thrift, after all.

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Cassidy Shea

Cassidy is a second year student in Algonquin College's Professional Writing Program. Her interests include fashion, activism, and digital art. Passionate to work in a field that directly helps people. If you're looking for a debate or a gaming partner look no further.

Social Media & Reachability: How Fashion Companies Thrive

It’s pretty hard to imagine modern life without social media. From what started as a tool to be able to reach out to friends from the comfort of your own home, to empires and influencers dominating and shaping the digital world as we know it, social media has changed into something that most people cannot truly understand anymore. Older generations may use it as a tool to show everyone what they’re up to on Facebook and younger generations might use it to pass the time during quarantine on Youtube or TikTok but, for some people, it’s their career to stay on top.

Social media influencers like Youtubers do everything they can to use platforms to remain relevant. Companies like Wendy’s and others use social media to promote their products, giving them more of a reach with their audience. Social media has created multiple different communities because of the reach it has. Writers can now share their work on Wattpad, comedic brains can share their memes or the memes they find on multiple websites and gamers can interact with each other around the world through Steam and Discord.

Advertising

The rules of social media also apply to fashion. When you go scrolling through your feed on Instagram or on Facebook, you will commonly find ads that tailor to you. Everyone has one thing in common, we all wear clothes, and nine times out of ten you will find some kind of fashion ad on Snapchat, Instagram, or Facebook when scrolling through your feed. These options can vary from shaving, jewelry, clothes, aesthetics and so much more. 

What most people do not know, however, is that not only are well-known companies being able to reach audiences but also lesser-known companies are making the same reach and becoming more well known. Along with the help of social media, companies like Zaful, H&M, and Zara have become what they are today because of the reach they were able to make from their ads and accounts. 

Reachability

But why does one company reach out better than another? What makes this fashion company more popular than this one. Well, the answer is quite simple: advertising! They have sponsorships. They have great deals. They have creative marketing schemes. They have relatable clothing. All of these factors must be considered when advertising a company. It is the basic fundamentals of making your ads stand out. When the clothes are in the spotlight, it makes consumers wanna see more. When it comes to sponsorships, when someone sees one of their favorite celebrities wear something from H&M, they are more inclined to flock to that store.

Social media is a forever changing landscape, as is advertising and fashion. With a subject so fluid and constantly changing, its hard to tell how people will perceive ads in the oncoming future. One thing that is for sure is that fashion always remains relevant and consumers will always see ads. Social media will continue to thrive, and each year it’ll continue growing into a behemoth we cannot escape. As someone who is on social media daily and loves to browse various fashion sites, there is no doubt that fashion and social media will forever be an unstoppable duo.

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Nick’s Bio

Nick is a second year professional writing student at algonquin college, hoping to pursue work in either journalism or scriptwriting. Nick hopes to become someone that makes his readers ponder about the many things in which life has to offer. In his down time, you can find him playing on his nintendo switch, organizing his many pokemon cards, or obsessively writing one of his many stories--most notably Radio Heads, a young adult drama about musicians.

What is Fashion?

When we ask a question like '“what is fashion?” it’s important to understand the difference between the dictionary definition of the word itself, and an interpretation of the concept—which is not necessarily universal. What we can do, however, is define the word concept as: an abstract idea or general notion, and we learn that fashion definitely falls into that category.

Instead of dress and garments as individual objects, think of fashion as more of a tool for communication. Whether you’re concerned with aesthetics or not, your clothing says a lot about who you might be: where society may have placed you, your political ideas, your creative vision, etc. What fashion means to a haute couture designer is probably wildly different than what it means to Inuit communities of northern Canada; and as Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, “The apparel oft proclaims the man [or woman].” One of my favourite things I’ve read about this question does an excellent job at speaking to both fashion’s practicality and creativity:

anna shvets, pexels

“Fashion is a combination of science and art - the clothes and accessories we need, and the way we express who we are individually and socially, how we feel, how we wish to communicate. Fashion communicates values and tastes, thoughts and ideas, form and function, how we work, how we play, joie de vivre...and sometimes, just fun.” Caroline Daniels, Professor, Entrepreneur, London.

Fashion is all of these things: industry, art, necessity, protection, expression, change, progress, reflection, the list goes on. It’s what people choose to do with it that makes it truly interesting.

To this end, I think it’s fair to say that a concrete definition of fashion as a concept is elusive. However, I think most people would agree that fashion—in addition to their definition—is an expression. To those who are fortunate, that expression could be artistic or philosophical. Designers and enthusiasts can play with silhouettes, colours, accessories, ideas, beliefs, etcetera. And for the unconcerned, or people who lack an alternative, what they wear is still an expression of who they might be nonetheless. For example, individuals that experience homelessness; live in areas with extreme weather; or have certain religious beliefs—a lot of times you can discern these things based on their appearance, and a majority of their appearance is their garb.

Whatever fashion means (or doesn’t mean) to you, there is something to be said about having confidence in this realm. And the reality is that as long as whatever you’re wearing makes you feel good; expresses who you are; and you’re happy with the message you’re sending, then by the nature of independence, it is a great outfit for you! Once you become comfortable with yourself and the idea of trying new things and being open to interpreting new ideas, your possibilities with clothes are limitless.

October 5th, 2020

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Chad Hetherington

A fashion enthusiast and leisurely, self directed pupil of philosophy, Chad loves nothing more than love itself. In his free time, you’ll probably find him playing video games, spending time with his tight knit friends and family, or browsing for clothes.

What can you expect from MASQUE?

At MASQUE, we are dedicated to publishing relevant stories and information from across the fashion and beauty industries, focusing on the contemporary, ethical, and cultural. In a time when everything seems to be fleeting, honest information remains our priority. We are enthusiastic about bringing you creative, fun, and interesting articles covering current and anterior trends—and are equally devoted to unmasking some of the industry's unethical practices. With virtues in mind, fashion is an amazing outlet for creatives and enthusiasts alike, and a great opportunity to express yourself in innovative ways. We look forward to sharing exciting and important information with you!

—MASQUE Team