Fashion and Hair Style Category

Clothes are art. Like art, they have changed through time and generations. They have filled a place in human studies: psychology, sociology, and anthropology. While worn out of necessity, clothes have also been a representation of human beliefs, and social class system. They have also represented revolutions in these areas. Clothing choices in the past few decades have changed both rapidly and dramatically. The 1800′s started out with flowing dresses, which changed to more top-fitted dresses, which began to show more skin in the front and back, which turned into more bottom-fitted dresses in the early 1900′s. This time line continued. The 1930′s brought in two piece skirt sets. Things picked up from here: the poodle skirt of the 1950′s-60′s, the short dresses of the 1960′s-70′s, the short-shorts and bell-bottoms of the 1970′s-80′s, leg warmers and shoulder pads of the 1980′s, the mini-skirts of the 1990′s. The 2000′s have also had their share of craziness: the butt-out pants, the thong-out pants, and so on.

Even more interesting than the general fashions of the times is the emergence of the more dramatic contrasts in subcultures of fashion. This began to occur more dramatically after the fashion revolution of the 1980′s. This decade served as an extension and exaggeration of the movements that occurred in the 1960′s. It was a decade of ‘Me!Me!Me!’ While the flower power parents were becoming responsible adults, while the generation’s mother’s worked extended hours out of the home, while it became more accepted for children to be increasingly independent in their actions and attire, the children were expressing these new found freedoms in various ways. One of the most prominent ways was through clothing. It was at this point that individuality and group representation began to form more drastically than at any other time in history. There were preps, goths, mods, skaters, schoolgirls, party girls, punks.

This contrast continued to evolve into almost infinite subgroups over the decades following. Finally, urban street fashion emerged. Like its predecessors, punk, then skater, it is a form of fashion that represents the lives of its creators: inner-city youth looking for a voice, and looking for attention of their efforts to change the world around them and express their views of it.

Calling people who wear urban street clothing is like calling an artist a person who uses a brush. People who wear urban street clothing are artists themselves. It is their application of clothing and accessories that creates their artwork. Urban street clothing is a complex mix of textures, shapes, placements, and other styles and forms. It is a representation of ideas, of values, morals, culture, and history. It is a representation of the individual. It is a form of expression that is constantly visible for others to see. Like any other artist, these people are putting themselves out there at the risk of rejection, judgment, and dismissal. It is a way of putting what is inside a person’s heart, mind, and soul, into public view. It is making oneself vulnerable. And this is a direct representation of the people and the generation wearing them.

Like any attire, urban street fashion has also been utilized as a tool for the purpose of unity. While there are many, many forms of individuality found in urban street clothing, there are also striking resemblances as the clothing of a state, city, or neighborhood is witnessed. This is largely due to peer influence and exposure to similar social events, environments, media, view points, and other social influences. Ironically, urban street fashion’s intention is to show individual expression, rebellion, and viewpoints, but in doing so, it illustrates major and minor cultural differences from one place to another.

The rapid progression of fashion after the 1960′s is a reflection of the progression of society. In this case, it has been the thoughts, morals, views, and opinions of social interactions. In the 1960′s, the clothing revelation was linked to a sexual revolution. As seen in attire dating back to the early 1800′s, this revolution was a long time in the making. The 60′s however, broke through that barrier and beyond, paving the way for other changes in clothing and society. It provided a platform for female liberation, heterosexual experimentation. These freedoms opened the door for all sorts of self expression and even pride. It is upon this idea that many subcultures of fashion were formed, mirroring their progressive social counterparts.

Urban street fashion is a huge incorporation of several sub(sub)fashions. These fashions can be anywhere from an edgy, punkish look, to an intellectual, artistic look, to a hip-hop look, to a more structured, Eastern look. The common factor is having the elements put together in a way that it represents a person, in an artistic, cutting edge manner. Some types include:

Bicycle Urban Fashion: Lightweight, practical clothing made for biking. It usually includes a fanny pack or pageboy bag and bicycle gloves. May include sunglasses.

Japanese Urban Fashion: Became popular in the 1990′s and is made up of various sub(sub, sub) fashions that have their own subs. Includes versions of versions of hundreds of different fashions from cute to Gothic (within the same sub, sub, sub, sub) category. They have taken the idea and multiplied it.

Hip-Hop Urban Fashion: This fashion became dominant in the 1980′s and evolved within the rap community. Rap itself was fueled by Black Nationalism. With the rap and Black Nationalism intertwined, the fashion surrounding this part of the music industry created a form of fashion based on traditional Black influences. Du-rags, baseball caps, baggy pants, and basketball sneakers dominated this market and encouraged further evolution.

Surf and Skate Wear: These were the founding fathers of Urban Street Fashion. Based on the subcultures of their respective sport, they introduced a form of sportswear that evolved into the various categories of urban street wear visible today. Surf wear often includes t-shirts with logos of surfboards and the various brands associated with them, surfer shorts, and flip-flops. Skate wear often includes t-shirts with skateboard brands, jeans and jean shorts, skater shoes, and baseball caps.

Fashion gives us an amazing insight into sociology. It is as intriguing, if not more so, than its artistic counterparts. In fact, it is a form of art itself, displaying an infinite number of cultural, social, and individual ideas. This is what I love about urban street fashion.

When you are deciding what to wear, there are some rules to follow if you want to look your best. You always want to consider your body shape when you pick out your clothes. There are five main body shapes to think about. They may go by different names depending on the article you are reading but they all boil down to the same thing. One thing to keep in mind is that you are born with a particular body shape and diet and exercise won’t change that shape, just your size. Taking a look at your body shape and dressing accordingly will ensure you always look your best. Keep in mind that you always want to offset your unwanted features and accentuate your good ones.

In order to decide what body shape you are, there are ways to determine that. First you want to get familiar with the body shapes. The pear shape identifies a more round figure. This shape tends to have more weight on the hips and a heavier bottom side. It is narrow at the shoulders with heavier thighs. If you are an apple shape, your upper torso is heavier. This shape also has a bigger bust line and a larger waste. Women who are a rectangular shape tend to have a more athletic figure and are slender in build. The bonus with this shape is that any weight gain is distributed evenly through the body. The petite shapes are short with small frames. Finally, the most coveted shape is the hourglass. This shape is curvy and proportionate with slim hips. Once you familiarize yourself with these, you can look in the mirror and judge what shape you are.

You can also take measurements of your body or have someone do it for you. You want to measure across the middle of your breasts, being sure to exhale before you read the measuring tape. Then, measure your waistline. This is done just above the belly button. To measure your hips, you want to get the measurement at the widest part. These measurements will give you an idea of your body shape. The pear shape is heavier on bottom. The apple shape has waist measurements that are significantly larger when compared to the chest and hips. The rectangle finds little difference between the chest and the waist. For the hourglass shape, the chest and hip measurements are very close and the waist is small. Petite body shapes are small and proportionate.

There are some items of clothing that work wonders for your appearance. Black is a slimming color. It will make you appear to be thinner. A blouse and pants with vertical stripes also will cause a slimming effect, whereas horizontal stripes will make you appear fuller. If you have fuller, wider hips, you want to choose jeans and pants with flared legs to offset your unwanted curves. Slim cut or ‘skinny jeans’ works great for someone who has a hard time filling out their pants. For larger ladies, keep in mind that baggy, loose fit clothing does nothing for your figure. You want to go for clothes that contour your body.

There are certain items of clothing and accessories that look best on certain body shapes. Pear shaped women want to go for clothing with vertical lines. Like I mentioned earlier, this will create a slimming effect. Keep in mind, the pear shape is a more round figure with more weight on the hips. The pear should wear dark colors on the bottom and go for lighter shades for the upper torso. V-neck shirt and long, straight skirts are highly recommended for this body shape. This will draw attention away from your fuller hips and wide pelvis. You can also wear wrap dresses and jackets that cover the hips. Shirts that are right for the pear include attractive, large prints, shiny tops, and bright colors. Be sure to stay away from high waist pants with pleats or decorations. Boot cut pants with longer tops will also look amazing on the pear shape. The goal is to draw eye movement toward the upper area.

The petite build can enhance their appearance with simple ideas. Clothes that fit well will accentuate their short, small frames. Shirts with vertical lines will give the appearance of being taller. U-shape and V-shape necklines in lightweight fabrics also look fantastic on the petite shape. The pear should avoid short skirts and opt for fitted, knee length skirts paired with medium heels. Narrow belts are also recommended for this body shape. When considering what pants to wear, choose straight leg, neat cut pants to help you look your very best.

The rectangle doesn’t have to worry much about what will look good on them. Since they have very few curves, patterns will add dimension. Full skirts will give the appearance of a fuller figure. The rectangle will look amazing in peasant style blouses with ruffles and gypsy skirts. Striking patterns and interesting designs will break up the straight lines of the pear shaped body. The apple shape needs to use clothes to create a more balanced looks. They should lean toward tops with comfort fit and tunics with v-necks. They look their best in simple cuts. They want to stick to things like A-line dresses and fitted jackets. Solid colors also work perfectly for this body style. When choosing skirts, they want to stick to a knee length one that can be paired with formal tops. Always choose fabrics with a nice fall that doesn’t hug the body. Avoid clingy tops and fancy fabrics and the pear will look incredible.

The hourglass shape will fit most styles easily and can experiment with fashion trends. Their curvy, proportionate shape will look dynamite in fitted jeans that will show off their slim waist. This shape can also go for straight leg trousers. This shape is perfect for halter tops and tees, as well. Being the most envied body shape, they can take advantage of all the tight fitting, trendy clothes.

Stick to these tips and you are sure to look your very best.