Fashion vs Style : a few thoughts
by hugoparis
Gentlemen,
PG is developing fast and comes in for daily criticism of course, mainly from the pure fashion aficionados (the fashionistas). These fashionistas are often young and think that classic style lovers (like us) rigorously follow strict rules, whereas they are completely free and able to re-invent their style each season. To put it more clearly, they think we are out-of-date and that the sartorial elegance to which we aspire is nothing more than a straightjacket that inhibits our creativeness, or even worse, our personality…
Without launching into a fruitless debate, these radical comments, to say the least, made me think a bit.
First of all, the main difference between Fashion and Style is a difference in reasoning; it has nothing to do with age or financial means.
There is a fundamental difference between us; fashion addicts are always looking to shine; those of us who prefer a classic style are simply looking to be dressed discreetly and harmoniously.
This difference shows when one compares the way in which ones “deals” with a new garment. The fashion victim, who wishes to show off his new t-shirt or jacket, will do everything to put it to the forefront of his outfit; a classic style lover does exactly the opposite – he will always look for harmony between his new tie or his new shirt, for example, and the existing garments in his wardrobe. Shiny versus harmony, that’s the heart of the matter; they do everything for the moment (an evening, a season, a collection), we go for long term (several years,) as experience shows us what clothes suits us.
And for those who talk about so-called “freedom”, it is worth pointing out that fashion is a collective thing, mass-market even, whereas style is something much more personal. This, you will admit, casts doubt on the idea that the fashion victims are more free and less uptight than us…they are uptight because they can only follow the latest fad or designer, when in fact we don’t jump at the latest craze and prefer to take inspiration from the past (particularly the 1930s).
Fashion followers go for a “look”, style lovers look for a natural elegance.
They work in the present, the moment even; we work in the future.
Cheers, HUGO
This article is also available in : French
3 comments
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Well said Hugo. I have to say that budget does not determine if someone is stylish or not. A person needs to have an eye for colour and what makes up a stylish ensemble. Classic style rarely stands out in the way that radical fashinon styles do, but rather tends to be more harmonious.
Also a classicly sylish wardrobe doesn’t have to be switched and thrown out after each seasonal fad/trend change. Instead it looks good all year round. Thanks for your post which raises some interesting points.
One can look “put together well” in many different ways. I find that strenuously avoiding the fashion trends is a good start. An added benefit is that one does not have to be embarrassed 10 years later when pictures from the past are being passed around-to hilarious effect.
I mostly approve the arguments above, it the last thoughts I would change: speculation on style and time. Preferring to be inspired by the past has the danger of going too far the other direction. Harmony requires resilience, the ability to be present every moment, past, present and future, therefore the finale should be – as of my opinion: They work in the present, the moment even, we are timeless.
Thanks for this note. I must admit that, semantically speaking, you are right. Timeless is the correct word. Cheers, Hugo