Fashion and style, or style and profile. Who are you?

A small reflection on who and what influences us.

After many years in both the fashion and advertising industries, it is natural to have some thoughts about what and who influences our view and our attitudes toward how we want to appear today. And then I am especially thinking about the façade in this blog post.

We live in an unsettled and uncertain world in 2024, and fashion reflects that.

When there are clear upswings, we see many worn jeans with lots of holes; it shows that you don't need to care, while in tougher times the signal is often that people buy better, more durable quality and less - the style becomes more serious.

In the 1980s, the fashion industry presented itself with two main presentations annually with new products and perhaps a small mid collection. In more recent times, the major fashion houses in Europe have been up to six annual collections - discounted sales have often come almost immediately and far too early. The climate footprint and waste have reached heights that benefit no one, and the fashion houses are beginning to understand that this cannot continue.

Reuse and secondhand clothing have become fashionable, and at places like Fretex you can find quality brands at pleasant prices.

How does fashion come about?

For years, there have been professional trend agencies providing input to fashion houses. They keep track of what is happening on the streets and in environments in the major cities, among groups and individuals who can serve as mouthpieces for new impulses. Music has always been a source of new trends. If Bruce Springsteen wore black Levi's 501 jeans, he was of course a style icon in 1985 - the same was true of Aha at the time. The first time jeans appeared on the catwalk was, incidentally, in 1978 - by Calvin Klein.

The Levi`s commercials in the 1980s from Bartle, Bogie & Hegarty to create BRAND IMAGE were fantastic - they combined music, fashion, and famous idols. People went to the movies to watch commercials.....

But from the outrageous shows from the major fashion houses, we perhaps see colors and small cuts in everyday clothes? But it is brands like Hennes & Maurits, Sara etc. that give the fashion picture greater visibility.

What about the influencers?

Well, what can you say? They often lack knowledge and experience - most are probably very self-absorbed. That being socially active and expressing opinions, preferably with good looks, should lead many to believe something about fashion is amusing. But of course there are exceptions. Women make up most influencers, and their followers are young women. In fashion, there is far between anything that influences men to any significant degree.

Men have most often been interested in cars, watches, suits, leather belts?, and fine shoes (soon freshly polished).

Today there are also many bracelets and sneakers in the fashion picture, giving men a somewhat fresher look.

At the Pitti Uomo fair this year there were many peacocks, meaning a strong desire to express oneself. Lots of layers, ties, strong colors, pleats in the trousers etc., too much, many would say. Unclear direction perhaps....

Safe and timeless style.

James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Brad Pitt have something in common - they inspired/evoked confidence with their white T-shirts, black leather jackets, brown bomber jackets, and jeans. Simple is often what gives the most secure style loyalty.

Remember that small checks in a shirt last longer in the fashion picture than large checks, narrow lapels on a jacket as well. A double-breasted jacket has a shorter lifespan than single-breasted. Especially pointed shoes are a challenge, while you follow what Church and others offer in classic versions that are not challenged as much by fashion trends.

Finally, it can be mentioned that older men would benefit from a little use of color - for example faded colors on shirts and not least that it is necessary to be well groomed..

All in all - find your own style and let it become your profile....