FashBlog.com

By Christina VanGinkel

Styles come, styles go, and most often, they come again. Pick up an old issue of a fashion magazine from a past decade and you will find fashions that have been repeated time and time again. A slight variation most likely occurs, a more fitting cut, a looser edge, added trims or new fabrics, but the basic designs that have been clothing men and women for the past fifty years at least, have been cropping back up in new styles every year. Unlike many fashion eras of days past though, have you noticed that fashions are actually starting to overlap. Where long dresses were once in and short skirts out, now the same woman may have several of each in her closet with varying lengths in between, and each style is for the current season.

I have my own personal opinion on this, nothing dramatic about it really. Being so many different body styles, thin, heavy, short, tall, and every combination one could imagine, clothing needs to repeat itself to keep all these different requirements satisfied. In addition, just because something has 'gone out of style' on the covers of fashion magazines nationwide, it no longer means that someone, somewhere, is not wearing it. We now often wear what is comfortable, not what a size two model is prancing about in. We have in essence, become more sensible on the fashion front.

I can remember being a teenager and wearing what we all referred to as bell-bottoms. These are again common, though they are usually referred to as wide-cut, not to be confused with loose-fit, which refers to the overall cut of the pant, not just the bottom of the leg opening. At the same time, boot cut, slim fit bottoms, and a variety of other pant leg fits are all on the market, and all are nearly as popular as the next. Depending on your age, weight, and personal preference, you can now buy jeans and pants in just about any style you want, brand new, no rummaging second hand shops required.

Skirts are the same. You can find a cute as can be short, short skirt. On the rack next to it, chances are you will find a bohemian styled, wide flowing skirt that will drop down to your ankles. If you need a more business looking attire on the skirt front, look a bit further and you will find numerous fabric choices in above the knee to below the knee styles.

Tops, shoes, jackets, suits, you name it fashion wise, and it is most likely available in a variety of fashion choices. The problem with all of this is as simple as my opinion. If someone does not know their own personal style, there are now more ways than ever for them to mess it up. Not everyone looks good in a skirt that dips just below their bottom, or in a top that stops just below their bosom, but seeing, as it is available in their size, they think it must be the perfect outfit. Which just goes to show you that fashion freedom is a good thing for most, but maybe not for the stylishly challenged!