FashBlog.com

Designer fashions are priced beyond the ability of most consumers to purchase, at least with any regularity. A five hundred dollar skirt matched with a four hundred dollar top quickly leaves most consumers wondering if the outfit is really worth the investment. Most of us never even consider a twenty thousand dollar ball gown, except in our dreams. An experienced shopper, who loves designer clothing, knows to look on sale racks or shop discount stores to find designer clothing at reasonable prices. The clothing may be off season and no longer on the cutting edge of fashion, but a smart shopper can build a designer wardrobe at a reasonable price. For most of us, the clothing is not worth the effort or disappointment of constantly scavenging for designer labels. We look though magazines and surf the web for the latest fashions but we only look, we do not buy.

So what are the use of runway shows or exclusive shops for most fashion followers? It is easy to completely ignore the designer market and dress according to local social norms. If everyone at church is wearing floral skirts, you wear a floral skirt. If Talbots is the ultimate in clothing at the school bazaar, Talbots becomes your shopping destination. Conforming to local social norms will allow you to fit in, but it does not allow you to stand out.

People who love fashion really want to dress beyond the local social norms. Even the most conservative fashion follower wants a little something that tells the world they still pay attention to the fashion industry and they are aware of what is "in" and what is "out". A perfect example of this is a certain woman of my acquaintance who is firmly in retirement and has been there for awhile. The last time I saw her she was conservatively dressed in a very nice cardigan sweater and pants. Her fashion statement was her necklace. Hanging around her neck was two strands of silver connected circles. The necklace was an acknowledge of the influence "Mod" was once again asserting in fashion circles. I complimented her on her " very Mod" necklace and received a knowing smile and a thank you in return. I have since seen a similar necklace on a morning television personality and my teenage niece. I must admit I also have such a necklace but mine is actually a belt from the sixties I snagged from the throw away pile of an elderly relative. I have not worn mine yet but I did see one similar to it worn as a belt on the very trim waste of a fifty something author.

The similarity between these women is not age, size or social status. The common bond is the attention they pay to fashion influences. The want to wear fashionable attire, even if it is only an accent piece with an otherwise traditional outfit. In many ways it is a message to other fashion followers, that they too keep up with the current trends beyond the confines of their local community. None of the women adopted the "Mod" style in its' entirety, ( though the fifty something author came closest) but they all noticed its' presence in fashion circles and responded to its' influence. Even I responded to the fashion trend when I grabbed an authentic "Mod" belt from the trash heap. I saw something fashionable in an old belt that no one else could see at the time. If I did not follow fashion beyond my local community,I would not have been able to see the treasure others were willing to throw away. I would have had to wait for a local store to carry their version of the original, as did my niece. In her defense, she has not been watching fashion as long as I have.

Fashion is based on man's need to adorn himself. It is also grounded on the human need to express individuality through this adornment. Fashion lovers not only want to be current in their style, they enjoy seeing current style on those who surround them. A true lover of fashion gets excited when they see in real life the clothing that they only have seen on the pages of magazines. It is also a learning experience since often the clothing looks different in real life than photographed on a model and placed on the web or in a magazine. This experience can also be had by walking in the door of exclusive shops and actually looking at the high priced designer fashions. Realty can inspire desire, an a frugal shopper will begin to watch for clearance sales to obtain the desired item. Reality can also remove desire. There is nothing like actually seeing some designer clothes to remind a shopper that illusion is sometimes better than reality.

The ugly side of fashion deals with competitiveness and money. There is no better way to establish the status quo than wearing a twenty thousand dollar dress amongst people who know its' price tag. In certain crowds the designer and the cost of certain clothing is obvious and known. Wear this same dress in most communities and only a handful of people will even suspect the price tag or the designer label you are wearing. This is why the beautiful designer clothing we see on runways really only serves as inspiration to the rest of us normal fashion followers. We look at the gold designer gown and think, maybe that gold blouse is not over the top this party season. For a more adventurous fashion follower, they may search the stores for a gold dress or search a thrift store for a gently used vintage gold gown. If you sew you may visit the fabric store and actually purchase the glittery material you have coveted but not bought. Possibly a gold wrap over a classic black dress is the best way for you to acknowledge the impact gold is having on fashion circles. Maybe just a gold ribbon in your hair.

A fashion follower may also be inspired to shun gold all together and find another fashion influence to exhibit this season. The key is , following international fashion trends , allows a fashion follower to adorn themselves with the newest trend before it shows up matched with a floral skirt. Knowledge of fashion trends gives confidence to the individual who wears something everyone else is not wearing. While fashionable people enjoy standing out, unless they live a fashionable life, the need to fit in battles with their need to stand out. Knowledge of the fashion world, which in today's world is international in nature, gives the fashion follower the courage to follow their need to stand out from the crowd. It gives an individual the courage to be different.

Sometimes something is so new you cannot find it in your local store. Ten years ago I had read about slips with built in support in a magazine. I raced to the local division of my national department store and found the garments were available only in New York. The garments are widely available today and the world has changed a lot in ten years. In today's fast paced world the turn around time between the runway and Wal-Mart is not as long as it used to be. The positive side to the quickness of our world, is it is a lot easier finding that stylish accent piece you want to add to your wardrobe. For people who need to always be the leader of the pack, to the exclusion of everyone else, it just makes life a little harder. For followers of fashion, some version of that runway outfit may be at your local department store or Wal-Mart before you know it.


Fashion followers want to stand out from the crowd. Most do not want to be completely apart from their local community, so they choose a necklace or wrap to reveal their fashion savvy. Other fashion followers will notice, while the rest of the crowd will still be comparing their floral skirts. Some individuals are willing to stand apart and express themselves through their clothing. I enjoy these people and want to stand near them, because they bring fashion to real life. I also understand I may have to be satisfied with a knowing smile and an approving nod, since I am no longer part of that courageous crowd. Standing apart takes stamina and confidence. I still have the confidence but I lack the necessary stamina.

Use magazines and fashion shows as inspiration. Imitate the styles you see and add your own style to the look while you are at it. If buying a gold scarf makes you feel fashionable, do it. Your attention to the fashion industry is the reason you know that scarf is a fashion statement this year. Look around and see who else is making similar or different statements. You may be surprised at who follows fashion.