Not Just Neutral

It has been quite a while since I have needed to buy some fashionable clothes. I admire from afar but since I have been spending my work time either inspecting roofs or writing construction estimates, a skirt has not been a "regular staple".  However, I have lately been considering reentering the office world--the world where fashion can matter.  Everything I have is from a number of seasons ago and I will need to update.  The big question is with what?

This is a SS14 MiuMiu look--it is young without being silly.  I guess I do need to face that I may not be as young as the clothes are targeted to anymore but that doesn't mean I need to look boring or dowdy.  This blouse with this jacket and an statement necklace are perfect for someone my age to look professional.  No cleavage.  Color of the season.  Emphasizes fashion without being objectified.  I love the diamond jaquard weave and the way red pops next to it!

I love this outfit and normally I dislike poofy sleeves.  I love the colors, the gentleness, the timelessness of this ensamble.  I want to wear this. it is a SS14 look by Maki Oh.  This line is based in Nigeria by Amaka Osakwe that has been showing and winning praise in New York.  The polka dots appear to be woven into the skirt and it hits the knee perfectly. Now, if only I can figure out where to buy this!

photos from style.com

Off Target

When I whine about fashion being disappointing and conciously not promoting ideas that move humanity forward, I am talking about dresses like this.  This is Hussein Chalayan for Vionnet.  I love both this designer and this fashion house.  Chalayan normally has ideas that are exciting and push bounderies and expand what we think about fashion.  Yet, this dress is "same old" with a teenager with an ombre target on her crotch.  In his statement about the line, that's supposed to represent a spiral staircase.  No matter.  Target on a teen's sexuality or a spiral staircase to her lady bits, it reduces her to what is between her legs.  The dress doesn't let your eye focus on the model herself for something interesting about the dress.  It focuses you on her crotch.  

The over-sexualization of teenage girls and women does nothing for the wearer of the dress or the society she lives in.  It brings us back to accepting girls as objects of sexual fantasy.  This is not ok.  I demand something more than a dress that tells those around me that my most important feature is to invite them to consider me for their sexual pleasure. 

We need to do better.  Sexual fantasies about children should not be sales ploys or high-fashion.  Fashion, you disappoint.

photo from style.com