By Greg.

The tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has found its way into fashion. In a highly controversial photo shoot, Italian Vogue is using the disaster as the backdrop to a dark feature that appears in the August issue.

Personally, I find the images disturbing. Especially the reference to affected wildlife with model Kristen McMenamy wearing feathers and posing like a stricken animal on an oily beach. But disturbing is the point. From Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, Franca Sozzani:

“In the face of this dramatic, catastrophic stalling, the images of Steven Meisel make up a precious reportage that delivers an artistic impact. Unforgettable images, created purposely to unnerve the viewer, capture the reality of the situation.”

The shoot has generated an enormous amount of commentary, drawing attention to the spill and its impact. And drawing attention to Vogue of course.

Reaction is quite divided. Many people think the feature is inappropriate and exploitative, while others see it as an environmental statement that is bringing attention to the disaster. Sozzani and McMenamy have both defended the shoot by saying that it sends a message to take better care of nature.

What do you think, education or exploitation?

Bodysuits were everywhere in the early and mid 90’s. I had several and one of them looked identical to the lace bodysuit below, but in black. I wore it with a black camisole, Levis 501s and biker boots.

In keeping with the 90’s fashion revival, bodysuits have been making a comeback. But the trend is very, very fringe – which might be a good thing. When I wore bodysuits, even though my top stayed neatly tucked into my bottoms, I plucked at my knickers all day long. I also fussed with the press studs down below each time I went to the loo. Some of the bodysuit styles were so high cut on the leg that baring hip skin when you sat down was inevitable.

So I’m saying no thank you to permanent wedgies, exposed hip skin and extra fumbling in the loo. How say you?

No matter how on top of your wardrobe you are, there are some gaps that never seem to go away. But these gaps are not always about what you need. Sometimes they are more about what you want. Either way, you just can’t seem to get enough of the item.

Here are examples of both from my wardrobe:

• Need: I just can’t get enough knitwear. I live in a climate where we wear knitwear a good nine months of the year, and I’m always cold. But my allergic reactions to wool are no fun, and it’s hard to find fabulous knitwear that’s warm but does not itch. I also won’t pay a premium price for knitwear because it ends up pilling most of the time anyway. It would also be really nice to get knitwear in a few more colours — I’m sick of grey and black knitwear and have reached the stage where I do not want to purchase any more, even though I actually need it.
• Want: I just can’t get enough handbags: I have far too many of these wonderful accessories, but I’m not counting. At least I’m quite strict about getting rid of an old one when a new one comes into my closet. I’m emotional and irrational about handbags and I always want more.

Over to you. What items can you just not get enough of, and are they “wants” or “needs”?

By the way, I bopped in my chair to this song while I was writing the above. There is NOTHING like good 80’s music accompanied by a corny video. It might be a strange love, but I also just can’t seem to get enough of Depeche Mode.

We talked about the resurgence of cargo pocket pants in Spring as a nod to 90’s fashion. My feelings about cargo pocket pants are mixed as I like some styles and not others. I still like them best in dressy silky fabrications, cropped to the knee, and paired with heels. They look more like dress pants when worn that way and I’m all over it.

But back to casual wear! I also like the newer skinny cargo silhouette. Its tapered, usually made of cotton spandex, and looks great worn both dressed up or dressed down – much like a pair of skinny jeans.

Skinny cargos look fab dressed up with cage heels, booties or pumps. Or dressed down with relaxed looking shoes like casual strappy wedges and flat gladiator sandals. Either way, if you are tired of wearing skinny jeans, you might like to give the skinny cargo a whirl – just to change things up. Not all styles are super tapered like you see in the pictures. If proportions are a concern, opt for a slightly straighter leg and extra hem scrunch to balance out the top and bottom parts of your body.

I MUCH prefer casual skinny cargos to casual baggy cargos. To me, they look refreshed, sleek and more feminine. But I won’t be hunting down a pair just yet because I desperately want a pair of dressy slouch pants instead.

How about you? Do you like the new skinny cargo? Will these make a good casual pants alternative to jeans for your lifestyle?