Why do we buy clothes?

/ uwstylesociety / 1 Comment

On the surface, the answer to this question is straightforward. We buy clothes because society has made it a necessity. Our culture has sent a message that covering your body is a must. You won’t find acceptance if you go parading around in nothing but your skin. So at a very basic level clothes serve as a need, but for many (especially those of us with an interest in fashion) clothing helps satisfy a want.

Before getting into why we view clothing as a want more than a need I should distinguish between clothing and fashion. Clothing functions as a basic need. It covers our bodies, and provides protection from the natural elements. Fashion is about making a statement. Fashion is a form of expression. It is an art. Therefore, when I’m talking about a want for clothing I’m really referring to fashion clothing. Thisis clothing that goes beyond serving a basic need. It is clothing that makes a statement. Fashion is what transforms clothing from a need into a want.

Continue reading →

Music and Fashion: Harmony or Noise?

/ uwstylesociety / 1 Comment

I was originally inspired to write about the co-existence of music and fashion when I came across the brand Maison Kitsuné. As both a fashion house and music label, Maison Kitsuné brings a vibrant chic to both their clothing and music. Being a fan of Two Doors Cinema Club, a band under Maison Kitsuné, I quickly grew fond of the fashion label as well. Since music and fashion are both forms of expression, it seems intuitive that they should be complimentary. Upon further exploration, it appears that the interaction between music and fashion is very common but may not always be symbiotic.

Hip-hop is probably where I see the most activity between music and fashion. Many rappers recently love to drop designer names in their lyrics. A good example of this is A$AP Rocky’s “Fashion Killa” where almost every line of the lyrics includes a designer name. Alright, but who cares? In all honesty, we really shouldn’t care about these famous people flaunting their superficial class. However, I do find it jarring when groups like Migos start yelling Versace, one of the most prestigious fashion labels, non-stop on a track and call it a song. It reduces the powerful and iconic Medusa into a sort of joke. Don’t get me wrong, I love that it breaks down classism but it is a little distasteful.

While there are those who use fashion to influence their music, some like to use their musical influence to break into fashion. Kanye West, for instance, believes that being a genius in music qualifies him as a designer as well. As a fan of Kanye, I was really excited to see what he could bring in his collaboration with the French label APC last year. It was appalling that a part of the collection was a plain white t-shirt with a price tag of $150. Meanwhile, Kanye is criticizing people who are “spending everythang on Alexander Wang” in his appropriately titled track, “New Slaves”. Kanye and Jean Touitou, creative director of APC, heard all the criticism and reduced the plain white t-shirt to a MUCH more affordable $90 in their second collaboration coming soon. All jokes aside, Kanye has already proven to be an influential figure in fashion with his Air Yeezy’s so don’t talk to him about style or he’ll embarrass you. Music and fashion are becoming a melting pot of opinions and cultural influences. On a high level, it becomes difficult to identify who influences what so take the time to explore deeper into music and fashion to have a more holistic understanding of pop culture.

 

–Jacky Li

3 Ways to Spruce Up Your Shoes

/ uwstylesociety / Leave a comment

Sometimes when we are on a student budget, we can’t afford the latest designer shoes. However, that doesn’t mean that it needs to look like we bought the exact same shoe as everyone else. The UW Style Society presents three different ways you can ‘mark’ your shoe and let everyone else know that you’re not part of the same pack. shoes 1

1. Leather Laces

Instead of the same boring old cotton lace shoes, why not try out something a bit different? As we can see in the picture, it changes up the feel and colour of the shoe to something a bit more unique and distinguished. You can typically find these laces at most dollar stores or your neighborhood shoe cobbler. Don’t forget to grab an exacto knife to slice off the extra part of the laces. Best not be trippin’ shoes2

2. Funky Lace Colours & Funky Tying

Just because you wear dress shoes, doesn’t mean it has to be bland. What better way of standing out in a crowd than standing out with some neon-colored laces? Try using contrasting colours which will make them pop from your shoe’s backdrop. Oh, I see. That’s not enough. Well, why not step it up even more by tying those sparkly new laces in different ways. Head over to Ian’s Shoelace Site (http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/lacingmethods.htm) to see over 41 different ways of learning different ways to lace it up. shoes3

3. Painting the Canvas

Okay guys, I’ll be honest. I have no artistic skills to save my life. However, that’s why we have friends! (Don’t tell mine I said that). So ask someone who knows how to draw and paint to give some flair to your shoes. You will need to consider the shoe’s material as well as the type of paint when you do this little DIY project. For this, it is best to stick with fabric/canvas shoes such as the ever-classic Converse line. In terms of paint, you should buy the ones which are acrylic–based paint. Lastly, some clear varnish will go a long way in terms of protecting your shoe’s final artwork. Go ahead and try it out. Don’t forget to show off your sweet new kicks by tagging @uwstylesociety on Instagram and Twitter! — Adrian Nguyen