Not Everyone Can Pull it Off, But I Have Faith in You.

It is a true fact of life, not everyone can pull it off. But, some can. These people are my people. I guess it might just be a reminiscent dream for me, some might call it a flash back. You know, a time when it wasn’t just gals who pushed fashion and style boundaries, but the guys, who styled a look that was light years away from the madmen uptight suits of the 50s, (although they did nicely morph into the 70s). I was sewing drawstring cotton pants in big color and non traditional prints for my boyfriend, who looked defiantly happy and badass in them.

When Vogue Went Rogue

Jimi Hendrix was wearing layers of bohemian tapestries and velvet, David Bowie in his gender bending maxis and gowns, opened doors to fashion freedom. In the beginning these new looks that found their way to the streets of the Haight in San Francisco and hip cities across the globe consisted of hand made, organic, free flowing form and design. Gals, mostly were sewing up a new generation of style whose aesthetic was soon picked up by “the establishment” and knock offs of the original street style looks were manufactured and distributed for, you know, the hippies. And there was nothing wrong with that.

Turn on, Tune In

The world turned on. Color. Patterns. Prints. Texture. Style. Design. The sum was greater than it’s parts, these things transformed a generation into a bubble of free love, tree huggers and peacemakers. Every garment whispered sensuality and possibility. Make no mistake, wearing a St. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band Nehru Styled jacket was a blatant act of revolution against the monotone and mediocrity of the old guard establishment. Fashion changed the course of history, and that was very cool. I am not sure that today’s fashion says anything, to any body. Everyone looks pretty much the same, and not in a good way. Well, just look!

In & Out of the Closet

So, in my travels I shop for these counter culture iconic pieces that many men kept almost forever. Guys tend to just keep their stuff, or they have outgrown the size but not the magic of the memory. Worn Stories on Netflix dives in, and awakens stories that would have otherwise been left in the closet forever.

That’s What She Said …

I like what Tanya Sharma has to say on the LovetoKnow blog: ” … These later years witnessed a slew of decidedly feminine details that changed the face of men’s fashion completely. In addition to wearing their hair longer, men began to adopt bright, vivacious colors; gregarious paisley, floral and polka dot prints; velvet pants; wide belts and more. Even jewelry designers joined in the adventure and began creating collections made specifically for men. This newfound freedom and style of dress may have seemed experimental at first, but it quickly became the norm as men all over the world embraced its spirit. …”

The Day the Music Died

I am not sure what day it was, but I think it was in the mid 80s during the Reagan years when sweatshops, slave labor and mass production of cheap clothing made in China became the American way. A visually decadent decline in style, quality, and creativity along with the political pulse of the world as it transformed into something less than joyful before our very eyes. And now before our eyes we see landfills over filled with the billions of garments that were and are designed to be worn and thrown away. Not cool.

Good Things

Getting back to the joy. It is always a good day when ridiculously fab old stuff owned by only the coolest guys in the land surface again, found and shared the world over. That, is a very good day.

And, while I was out peaking around internet land, I found this site for all things men’s vintage which is pretty killer: dressthatman.com. … even I like it. Another piece, a beautifully written and fun article by Alexandra Rowland for Esquire about an historical figure, Beau Brummell as fashion’s villain is worth checking out. So good! And I don’t lie.

And so …

If any of this strikes a chord, there may be something in my Etsy world that will be a perfect fit for you. Visit me! Vintage By Jolie

Yours truly,

Jolie

All Rights Reserved. Author: Jolie Baetzel