Hello Darlings,
Ah, the world of fashion …so beautiful and yet so brutal! Designers work overtime to create more collections than there are seasons, trends are born every 24 hours and new “it” girls make us wish that we had half of their cool. We are constantly bombarded with images and items that are desirable, yet somewhat unattainable. No matter how far you go; fashion will always be a step ahead of you. With every season, styles and ideas are dismissed and deemed as “last season,” a concept I do not believe in. Models are becoming more flawless and skinny, and we are more obsessed with them than ever.
This really makes me think: what is the point?
What is the point of trends, unattainable appearances and images, and hopeless need for Birkins? Right now, I do not see a single point that I would consider a reasonable answer. The unattainable status of fashion is exactly what makes it so desirable and hated! Why are we so ga-ga over items and ideals that are not available to us unless we bend over backward for them? We diet, feel guilty for our last dinner, or save for a new pair of Choo’s and tolerate Hermes waitlists? Is it really that hard to hire more people to make more bags (aka Hermes and five year waitlists)? No! But it would no longer be exclusive! The more in demand and unattainable the item, the more inflated the prices. My goal here is not to point out the shallow and absolutely pretentious ideals behind the world that is so fabulous, as I am also so unbelievably in love with it, but I do have times of remorse and absolute guilt.
- Yes, I love fashion.
- Yes, I think that it is another artistic expression that is as powerful as art, sculpture or architecture.
- Yes, I love designers.
- No, I do not like their hefty price tags.
- No, I do not like the idea of wearing exposed and overwhelming labels that directly hint at a price tag. (so tacky)
- Yes, fashion is an outer expression of an inner feeling.
- Yes, I feel self- conscious every time I lay my eyes on a picture of a model that is so perfect and so perfectly airbrushed at the same time.
- Yes, I know that image is fake and she doesn’t even look like that.
- Yes, I want to look half as good as she does.
- Yes, I believe that style is attainable and no I do think that high-end fashion world is (at least, not for an everyday gals such as myself).
- Yes, I believe in paying for quality and classics.
- No, I do not believe in paying more for a designer label.
- I do think the idea of fashion is a complete gimmick.
AND finally
- Yes I feel guilty and stupid for falling for that exact gimmick.
I am just like any other girl who wants to own the latest runways looks, but morally, I cannot accept the ideals behind it all. My values prohibit me from over-indulging. Although I wish I could go ahead and just buy that dream Chanel 2.55, I just cannot bring myself to spend that much at this point in my life. I know that I really want it and I do believe that I will buy it eventually; my goal is to get it once I am comfortable with in my career, as a reward for all of the hard work. At this point in my life, I would like to learn one lesson: to SHOP CONSCISOULY AND INTELLIGENTLY!
After finishing Nina Garcia’s Style Strategy I have realized how much I have wasted on all of the trendy and short-lived items. Although I have been “investing” in basics, I did fall into the whirlpool of purchasing short-lived trends. I have always known the importance of a classic wardrobe over a trendy one!!! Although shopping timelessly is a goal that I have tried to follow, I did fall short of achieving it once in a while. Right now, half of my closet is packed with items I am very proud of and the other, with items I resent. I would like to make some changes to my entire perspective on shopping. I have a plan of action based on Garcia’s wonderful advice. Which I intend to follow in order to make myself a conscious, smart shopper!
My goal is to create a classic and yet individual wardrobe AND try to filter out as many trends as possible!
I am starting a new section in my blog that will help me achieve this goal… And I want to take you with me on this journey!
In the second part of this post, I am going to share with you my plan and some simple guide lines I intend on following. Until then stay tuned! I am also going to be revealing the new addition very soon!
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with me on this topic?Disagree? Do you think that I am going to achieve my goal? Or brutally fail?
Wishing Everyone a Wonderful Weekend!!!
With Love…
Marta
Sources: fashion spot; etc blog
♥
27 Responses to I am on a mission, part 1…
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Very well said.
Great post. I agree that sometimes one can become a little too wrapped up in this world of fashion. Thank God I have all my guinea pigs and dogs to keep me sane. Sometimes it helps to step away from that frivolous world. I am doing thing like you right now. I am buying classic pieces of good quality that I hope to have for years. The stuff I really want instead of the on sale, trendy items that seem like a good deal. I hope you succeed in your mission. I have been doing this for three months now and I have been doing pretty good so far =) xoxo
http://www.fashionsnag.com
I love this idea. I always spend so much on “trendy” items. Sometimes its hard to figure out how long a certain item will be around and if it could possibly become a classic. That is usually how I justify my overindulging in trendy items…. “it mightt turn into a classic or at least be around for awhile”. This usually doesn’t happen!
Definitely looking forward to part two!
Hi sweetie,
and everyone, even Nina Garcia, has their own little obsessions and weaknesses. 
it’s a good topic and I do think that you can achieve your goals, however you need to remember a few things. You are still very young and already have a very good taste for somebody of your ag, so do not feel guilty about little mistakes etc. - just smile about it. Secondly, it takes practice and knowledge, hence it takes time to do the first and get the second. Thirdly, never take anything too seriously - style isn’t about being focused or too serious, it’s all about feeling happy and wearing things that make you happy, not following somebody’s advice, because, lets be honest here, they have no idea who you are unless they are mind readers
Marta, can’t wait to hear more. I love how you view the purchase of the 2.55 - you will love that bag more for buying it, in time, on your terms.
Very well said Marta! I definitely agree with what you have said. For me I adore fashion and admire pieces as they come and go, but I try not to see trends and purchase things that I know I will wear and appreciate long after the “trend” has disappeared, that way I will not be wasteful
Agreed, agreed, agreed.
I use clothes to express myself to the world. I believe that fashion is a beautiful thing that is just as amazing as writing or painting or any other type of art. Fashion is art. But I also agree that the industry of fashion has turned it into something that I don’t like. I don’t like feeling like my body isn’t good enough or that I NEED to buy certain things because it’s a trend. I hate designer prices, and honestly, I cannot stand a lot of designer labels (example: Louis Vuitton) because they parade their labels just so that if someone is wearing it, it’s basically like wearing a price tag. I think that fashion and personal style is a beautiful thing, but I do not like the fashion industry.
I agree with you about buying timeless things and things that will last forever. I try my best to do so, but with on a student budget, it can be very hard sometimes. Your blog really helps by showing me how to look for good quality things and how to avoid being an impulse shopper, so thank you!
I think you have a great goal, and I’m going to take on that goal too.
omg so much WORD!
I dont believe in the ”last season” season crap, but I do believe in overused items which can make you get over a trend rather quick.
also I do understand the high prices on clothes and blah blah.. and their point is exactly the one you are pointing out.. high fashion is not for everyone, and they make it rather clear.
http://victoriadiazs.wordpress.com/
Oh man, I’m right there with you. I’m really excited to see what you do with this
Your blog has always been refreshing for me. I enjoyed reading this post because it basically sums up my entire feelings on how I feel about the fashion world. Yes I would love to buy myself a Balenciaga bag however I cannot bring myself to purchase it considering how I am not yet in a steady long-lasting career. I want to be able to enjoy having my dream bag because I earned it.
Hi Eva,
I am so glad you like it! It means a lot to me.
Aww… thank you so much
I don’t believe in last season. Why would people wear vintage if there was such a thing as last season?
I agree with what you said Marta. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Agree so much!
Can’t wait to read the second part…
I’m so agree with you Gabrielle !
Hi Marta,
I wholeheartedly agree with this post and I, myself, find that I often by rather useless/one-time-wear items. There’s a thread on TFS called “3-4 French Style Wardrobe” (or something to that effect) that I would highly reccomend. Let me know if you enjoy it!
Well said! I think this is the most intelligent fashion post I have ever read.
Aww….. thanks babe
hahaha… thanks for reading!
I agree with everything you’ve stated in this post. Well written!
Just a personal thought of mine, but I think that we’re actually the ones who allow these designers to place such ridiculous prices on their pieces. Our obsession with their work, and the clothes they make gives them the confidence to put such prices. Why? Yes, we will complain about the tag. But most of the time -alot of the time, we buy it anyway for the glamour, prestige, ‘amazing’ feeling it gives us to own so-and-so.
I’m completely crazy, but I think there has to be a revolution of sorts in fashion.
Looking forward to Part 2!
TOTALLY AGREE!!! Amazing post
Hi Megan,
So I could check it out, if you can please comment it to me, that would be awesome. Thank
I can’t open your blog’s link
i couldn’t agree more. i can’t even believe it when i look through fashion magazines. i love all that i see, but cannot afford 80% of it. i was reading a teen vogue and i was flipping out. a magazine for teenagers full of marc jacobs, chloe, dvf, etc. seriously? what is that teaching kids, that it’s normal to have 500 dollar pairs of shoes and 300 dollar pairs of jeans. and forget reading vogue or harpers bazaar, it’s insane!
the catch-22 of it all is that we looooove it! we love all of it. i subscribe to a trillion fashion magazines, which i can afford, and i read them all cover-to-cover adoring and coveting every piece. we love beautiful things! i think your goal is exactly what we all should be doing, buying important and well made pieces that will be in our wardrobe forever.
i think the real challenge is deciding what classic means to you…for you, it’s a chanel 2.55, for me, it’s a balenciaga motorcycle bag. once you know your classic style, you try your hardest to find brands that make quality pieces at decent prices…sounds so easy?
we know better.
fantastic post, it’s a wonderful topic, can’t wait to read more.
I think you are right on most parts, and Nina is right. having classic pieces is a big key. But i think Gianni Versace put it best:
” Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live.”
I read that is wear whatever as long as it is truely you.
Also i think you are doing really well if you love 50% of your wardrob
Hi Shauna,
After all, clothing does represent who you are!
That is beautifully said on his part, I must agree…
I totally agree, but there’s nothing to it. It’s fashion, a fairy tale for outsiders and a hard business for the inside crowd. I wish I wasn’t as obsessed with it as I am, but there’s no turning back for me. I dream about a Chanel 2.55 at night.
I hate the biggest part of my closet and really want to have more valuable and important pieces. I hope it will change within a few years.
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