I’m Tired Of This {Fashion} “Ish”

Know what I’m tired of in fashion? Aside from those damn bubble necklaces that continue to haunt me? I’m tired of the junk.

 

I’m tired of clothing and jewelry that isn’t well constructed, that doesn’t seem to have real thought and meaning behind it. This doesn’t necessarily mean expensive, in fact it doesn’t have any particular price point. I’m talking about carbon copy clothing that looks just like what someone else put out there.

 

I realize that many times we see styles and trends that are often repeated and revamped, that much is part of the fun of fashion and of any art form: paintings, music, or otherwise.

 

 

time for the color block maxi to go away!
time for the color block maxi to go away!

 

 

 

But we have all seen clothing today that is ill constructed and is a direct copy of what someone else has put out there.

 

There’s even a few local jewelry designers that I know who I have watched develop their lines over the years and they put out beautiful, quality work. And when I see upstarts copying them in drives me bananas. Here in Macon, we have new designers like Tipsy & Company which have found their niche and have created a product which is unique to them. Kudos. Also Betsy Pittard, Knot + Bow, and Kiki-Jabri– all have their own unique style that they created first.

 

 

from the Knot + Bow Facebook page
from the Knot + Bow Facebook page

 

 

I know there is a place for these clothing items I am railing against, but I guess this is also part of me growing up. It’s one thing if you are a college student or even a high schooler spending an allowance on cheap clothes but at the same time- wouldn’t it be nice to save your money up and buy something that will last? I love that I have clothing items that have lasted me ten years and more that I can still wear.

 

And yet, my style is constantly evolving. That is the key to buying something which will last- you pick up an item that you truly love and chances are you can make it evolve with you.

 

Going to Savannah Fashion Week two weeks ago made this all the more apparent to me. Meeting designers across concept genres, such as Mix Julep and Ramey Rhodes which are what I would call more of a classic design aesthetic but then also Mamie Ruth which is definitely 70’s-Boho-Music-Festival-Chich, even these very different aesthetics have something in common. And Zia’s jewelry- wow. They are well made, they are unique, and they are their own brand. These are women who have worked hard to get where they are, and in some cases still have day jobs to sustain them while they work on their lines.

 

 

photo by Gillian Ford of The Hyperion Group
photo by Gillian Ford of The Hyperion Group

 

 

Every designer and every boutique blew my mind. I’ll be writing more about each one in detail over the weeks because each of them was amazing. Getting to talk to them was just the icing on the cake. Every one of them put their own authentic designs, their own authentic wares out there. The price ranges were all over the place but what you will find in common is that each of them didn’t put carbon copy “ish” (i.e.: junk) out there.

 

 

2014-05-01 19.33.06

 

 

I would even say, this is something that we understand here in the South. We can take these items and also blend them with items that are passed down through generations and make it work. This is a large part of our style and I have said as much before.

 

I would encourage each of you to find your style, to take the time to purchase items that have meaning to you. No matter what the price tag says, whether it’s $5 or $500 or more (although I will envy your wallet)- put something on that speaks to who YOU are.

 

 

Love to all y’all,

 

Molly

Love, Molly Kate

Molly is a communications professor, parent, Southern culture commentator, and social media marketing maven. She is also a freelance writer who has worked with a variety of publications and online magazines including Bourbon & Boots, Paste Magazine, Macon Magazine, the 11th Hour, Macon Food & Culture Magazine, and as the Digital Content Editor for The Southern Weekend.

Love, Molly Kate has 956 posts and counting. See all posts by Love, Molly Kate

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