bits and bobbins

(not so) random links

-according to the new york times, ugly is the new beautiful. evidently, a recent rash of articles, books and papers have been penned on the subject of ugliness. long a neglected subject of study and interest, pondering ugliness and at times, celebrating the less than perfect/beautiful is now de rigeur.

which got me thinking…

-can ugly be fashionable?
-or, is ugly (already) fashionable?
-in what ways is ugly now fashionable?
(i immediately think of the old/outdated/”ugly” coming back into fashion again, i.e., the ironic, hipster-favored trends of the last couple years…)

-is ugliness, like beauty, merely in the eye of the beholder?

-or, can one argue that are there specific, solid, irrefutable standards that define beauty, and it’s allegedly less attractive stepsister, ugliness?

-what does this alleged fascination with ugliness say about our culture? has something significantly shifted? or is the passing fancy with “ugly” just that, a passing fancy?

***

-some speculate that the long coveted size zero figure is perhaps trending towards going the way of the dodo (at least for a little while) (via the times online). a culture-wide fascination with a more voluptuous figure is now on the rise, in some fashion and fame circles, anyway. as to what is exactly meant by “curvy” to these fashion folks is up for debate, but some say the bony girls that have dominated the runways in past years have been told, by some fashion designers and editors, to take off, in order to make room for women with a “bigger” presence. how long this (“new”) obsession with curves will last is anyone’s guess, but if it’s true, it’s certainly worth noting.

my questions:

-could this new fascination with curves (and “realness”) in fashion be a reflection of the turn our culture is taking in a general sense? are people craving “realness” in aesthetics at the same time they are asking for “realness” in economics, politics, and beyond? in times of leanness, do we sometimes value that which looks even a little bit excessive? i put this idea forward in light of how the impossibly skinny reigned so long in the inflated, excessive years most recently past. i also think of how even further back in history, “rubenesque” women were celebrated in leaner times, as their shape suggested wealth and easy access to resources…

see also: even in a reeling economy, the rich spoiled brat is a fashion and cultural heroine (via the new york times)

***

-psfk, in a recent post, posited that the DIY lifestyle will become culturally mainstream as the economy slides ever downward. i’ve suggested this many times here on bits and bobbins over the past few years (and feel like they are thus a little behind the times in suggesting this, but nonetheless)…

i wonder:

-IS the DIY lifestyle indeed becoming more mainstream? in what ways? posit, if you please.

-are more people taking classes, and consulting books, the internet and other resources in order to educate themselves on ways to DI(y/themselves) instead of buy, buy, buying or employing the services of others (things they may have done in a bull market)? can (or has) this increase be(en) quantified? surely, someone has done research in this area…?

***

the quick and dirty stuffs:

-i am sure you street fashion fan girls (and guys) will be glad to hear that the sartorialist’s scott schuman has allegedly scored himself a book deal (via farpitz, via fashionista). a nice coffee table coup for someone who doesn’t even consider himself a street fashion photog. not my cup o’ tea (i rather loathe the guy and all he stands for), but i’m passing on the word to you anyway.

-treehugger has crafted a huge, multi-part guide to greening your wardrobe, chocked full of suggestions, stats, and sources. well worth a major peruse on your part.

-word of the elder-focused street-style blog advanced style has been making the rounds…i’m mentioning it here with the intention of giving it another spin. genius idea…sartorially sassy and snazzy grandmas and grandpas duly deserve recognition and accolades.

-LOVE this idea for shredding a tee (really, it’s just knits “laddering”, but anyway!) from childhood flames. someday i’d love to give it a go.

-these scarves made by spool sewing using quilt/knit master kaffe fassett’s shot cotton fabrics are stunning…they feel utterly modern with their deconstructed looks. and oh my, the colors…luscious.

-a fab idea to fashion a few decopage decorated bangle bracelets, here, on one pearl button (via whip up)

November 11 2008 | Posted in (not so) random links, crafty cool., culture-vulture, fashion musing, street fashion

Comments

7 total remarks on this post. Add your own.

  1. November 11 2008 at 2:20 pm

    Elissa of Spandexpony

    Hello, glad you’re back! Can’t help but wonder if the “ugliness”/turn of attention to fuller figures is related. Not that fuller figures are ugly (I have one) but that they are imperfect and must be “worked around”, literally and figuratively when creating garments, much as something fug (I like to collect pearlescent animal figurines, which by themselves are a bit saccharine) can take on a new and interesting beauty with the right surrounding elements.

    Also about your DIY becoming mainstream discussion, I was very surprised to see a Target commercial recently where they positioned themselves as the place to go if you want to save money by doing it yourself (not only are the items themselves cheap, but doing yourself is free-ish): a guy saves money by going to target to buy a razor to cut his kids’ hair and so on and so forth. Very interesting!


  2. November 11 2008 at 3:57 pm

    Leah

    I definitely think there has been an increase in DIY lately. It is of course, nothing new as DIY has been around for donkey years! The current “craft scene” (I loathe that word, but cannot think of anything more appropriate) has existed for many a year now (as you suggest), living especially through means of the internet. From the numerous websites I have frequented since 2006 (when I “discovered” it shall we say) it seems to be more prevalent in the US than here in the UK, where crafting, I do believe, is only just picking up.

    My mum made a comment the other day “I stopped sewing when it became more expensive to make things than it was to buy them” and certainly for the previous generation, that was probably the mindset. I just think that now, people are maybe looking to be more creative. Some may not want the same things as someone else and I think handmade is creating it’s niche that way. Certainly with the economic climate right now, maybe the 40s slogan of “make do and mend” is becoming more appropriate. Admittedly, it can still be more expensive to make something, but I think the pure novelty of being able to say “hey, I made this all by myself” is what draws people in and there are of course times where it can cost less to refashion or hand-make something.

    For me personally, I’ve always been interested in creating stuff, if only because I’ve always known I wanted to go into a creative field in the future. I have a tendency to try and encourage other people to craft because I find it fun and think everyone should do it too! I guess most crafty sorts are like that – it strikes me as a very inclusive thing to do, which I guess is part of the reason it is becoming more “mainstream”.


  3. November 12 2008 at 4:11 am

    Caroline

    Thanks for sharing these links, Tricia.

    I think we’ve been seeing the upswing in DIY among more mainstream folks for a while now. There is always the element of people who try crafts simply because it is trendy (i.e. the girls in my high school who knit scarfs and nothing else) and those who are more into the spirit of the craft.

    I’m curious to hear your reasons for strongly dislike the Satorialist. I rarely see anything on his blog that I would wear, but what about him provokes your reaction? Sorry if I’ve missed previous posts about him where you explained your reasoning, but I’m curious to hear why.


  4. November 12 2008 at 8:02 am

    tricia

    caroline: my dislike of the sartorialist has been brewing for a long, long time. the comments on this post might help explain why i don’t like him: http://bitsandbobbins.com/2008/04/15/not-so-random-links-26/ after he wanted to do a “sartorialist makeover” on a girl he met on the street a while back, i was really shocked and disgusted…the comments there are me (and others) discussing what he’s all about and feel like i kind of articulated what i *personally* do not like about the guy.

    basically, i feel he focuses too much on individuals that are insiders (models, designers, fashion industry insiders), who can *of course* afford the latest threads from the top designers. of course people are going to gobble that up, think it’s the best. he has a hard time articulating himself on many occasions. he’s snobbish and classist when he does speak, as well as contradictory. for starters, he does not consider himself to be a “street fashion photographer”, though that is exactly what he does, by definition. he’s shocked when he shoots people who wear cheap clothes that look expensive…like, omg, she bought that at h&m? :P things like that.

    and i think who and what he shoots just don’t appeal to my personal taste (see the latest trends), so i prefer other photographers, who seek out people who have a bit more quirk factor. i don’t think fashion is just for insiders and models…i think fashion and style are far more democratic than that.


  5. November 12 2008 at 9:18 am

    Sarah

    I also believe that “DIY” fashion is and will become more apparent in response to the economic downturn. It’s been brought to my attention so many times over the last few weeks whether it be online with well-known bloggers writing about their suggestions for saving money (ex. Keiko designer for Postlapsaria http://prelapsarianme.livejournal.com/301458.html), or hearing mainstream radio interviewing small consignment store owners whose sales increased exponentially just since September. These store owners also reported many clients being people who had never done this sort of thriftier shopping, and when the store owners asked the clients “Why now?’, said the answer was attributed to the economy.
    Does this mean people will embrace the DIY concept, and really make someone fashionable with what they have? I assume it’s only possible, because even though there favourite brand-names are usually found in thrift or consignment shops, usually it’s items that aren’t going to fit into their idea of trend.
    I just hope that it does harbor creativity, but it’s possible that stores like target, H&M and other trend-based clothing manufacturers aren’t the only ones to gain! It is a very real possibility that people will continue consuming in the same way they do now, the only difference being it’s at a lower price point.


  6. November 12 2008 at 10:30 am

    Caroline

    Tricia, thanks so much for elaborating on your position — I totally agree with your criticism. I do recall that “makeover” post (both seeing it on his blog and your reaction here) and feeling like that it was not his place to suggest that she change her look. It’s funny that he doesn’t consider himself a photographer of “street fashion,” as that is what he does — but the women are all, with very few exceptions, thin and beautiful.

    I like other street fashion photographers who capture more alternative, unique looks rather than haute couture in-the-box styles. Hel Looks is always fun, especially since people explain their style inspirations. Sometimes I like Face Hunter. I recently discovered garance dore’s blog, which I adore, although she seems to profile more high-class fashionable ladies than “regular” folks.


  7. January 13 2009 at 9:04 pm

    (not so) random links | bits and bobbins

    [...] the discussion a few (not so) random links posts back where i was wondering if craft/DIY sales would go up in response to this shaky economic climate we’r…? seems they have! see this recent article in the new york times: for craft sales, the recession is [...]


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