Ask Angie: Old Becoming New

Transcona Shannon

Angie - I'm curious about why certain items are seen as dated (for example certain button and stance styles on blazers) while other items that were worn previously and became out of style, come back and are determined "in style" again (such as pleated pants). I know that fashion is cyclical and certain styles continually come back every few years but why some and not others?

Is it simply a matter of the designers and media showcasing an item that brings it back to the forefront and makes it desirable again? Is it based on that style being extremely popular before and therefore it is assumed it can be popular again? Is an item considered new just because we haven't seen it in a long time?

I actually got thinking about this based upon your comment on my nude hose in my outfit today and it looking fresh and modern.

12 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from Neel

Anonymous

I don't think it is the same pleated pants coming back though Shannon. And maybe in a year or two we will see higher stanced blazers coming back in again. I think it is some element of the style that is reinvented or recombined in a new way, and that is what makes it fresh and stylish.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's never exactly the same. The fabrics change, the cuts are a bit different. Even nude hose probably aren't the same nude hose.

But I get what you are asking.

12 years ago

karymk

Veteran

It's true Shannon. Stuff always comes around again in a new cut or fit, so that you can't necessarily just reissue your old pieces and think you're in step. I think they do that on purpose so we keep buying, but it also keeps us looking current. They know the oldies like me buy into that!

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I agree with what has been said... with the pants, the pleats came back, but in a lower and slouchier cut pant. Low stance menswear jackets came back, but with a slimmer shoulder and sleeve and overall profile. The new boyfriend jeans were not the Salt N' Peppa boyfriend jeans.

I think designers gain their inspiration from many things. At any given time, the collective unconscious may all gravitate toward the 90s or whatever and they will rework the looks to put a modern spin on them. Or I think also what happens is that fringe/youth cultures start appropriating looks from the past in order to rebel (e.g. hipsters in mom jeans)... then the youth movement becomes cool, then the designers want to capitalize on it and rework it some more...

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Suz said. Fabric updates play a major role.

It's never exactly the same, Shannon. There is always an added modern element to the reincarnated design - trends and silhouettes are "reworked" as Rae puts it. Blazers with low stances, sharp shoulders and narrow lapels from the '80s are not the same as my Gabe B2 Theory jacket, which I bought a week ago, although the vibe is similar. Furthermore, wearing the odd vintage piece that is as wearable in silhouette now as it was 50 years ago is always updated with a current support act.

12 years ago

Peri

Veteran

As a reformer hoarder I can attest to this. I would think, I'll save this because it will come back in style, but it never works. Something is always updated, so the old thing just looks old still.

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I guess I didn't word my question properly - my apologies. I don't mean the EXACT same item. I realize new incarnations are updated. I'm wondering how past styles are determined to be the one to reinvent. For example, how did designers determine that the pleated pant trend from past decades was an item worthy of revamping in today's style? Do you know what I mean?

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It looked like fun? It sparked their imaginations? Something in the mood, the vibe, the feeling of some image from that era tripped their fancy. It spoke to them somehow.

Sometimes it filters from the street up, as Rae suggests. In the old days, it used to be designer-down. I think it works both ways, nowadays. We are all influencing one another, across age brackets, income brackets, and across the globe.

Sometimes you can trace a specific influence -- Kate MIddleton, a new version of Anna Karenina, the anniversary of some important event.

And sometimes not. That's fashion, baby!

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I sympathize, as I struggle with this in terms of thinking I must be giving things away only to buy them again several years later, but I've been really making more peace with it lately now that I've been trying to use a much more critical eye.

I had compared some of my old pleated pants to my new Theyskens, and I couldn't believe I'd ever been wearing the old ones! So the march of fashion and time really does something to your "eye". But now I'm alert to the fact that these, too, will pass--not sure how long. So it's one reason I've not just bought into that like crazy. I want to wear these a lot with different tops & shoes rather than have lots of similar and not wear any one much, and feel bad about purging when the fashion winds change.

I mean, a jewel neck silk blouse ought to be the same, right? Nope.

I still have my holding zone for things I like but am not sure of wearing right now and I think that's useful for me, since sometimes I can't tell the longevity factor very well. Usually, all becomes clear in time!

12 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have wondered that too. And also do they have meetings to decide what happens this season? How do you explain the themes that run through many designers collections at the same time? But I think part of the answer is simply there are a limited number of ideas that are widely marketable and when there is boredom or exhaustion with one, it is time to move on to another.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Yes, I've wondered that too Shannon. Don't you wish there was one big meeting (like at Pantone) and we could be flies on the wall? Well I guess with Angie watching the fashion shows and forecasting the trends, we've got an even betting thing going.

12 years ago

Neel

Veteran

Old pleated pants were a no go for me earlier because they just looked unflattering with high waistlines and straight legs. But the *new* low waisted pleated tapered pants look so tempting and delicious! I might have to buy that one soon

I think there in lies the difference like the rest have said. Mixing silhouettes with styles gives something completely new and unique to try on and love. That's a brilliant question by the way! I have been thinking about this a lot lately too especially because I chucked out all my wide legged pants earlier and they are back in style now!! The wide legged classic black trousers and jeans are still the same.

12 years ago

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