In most places around the world, winter weather means shapeless puffy coats and boots. Luckily in Palos Verdes, the extent of our winter climate involves a just a few days of heavy mist.
With these relatively warm winter temperatures comes a broader range of acceptable clothes that one may wear. So what to wear?
The answer is anything. According to the Media Dynamics’ publication, Media Matters, you are exposed to around 625 advertisements a day. You have enough outside stimuli telling you how to look, what to eat, and even how to feel every second of every day. Who’s to say that studded loafers are more fashionable than galoshes? Whatever is paraded around by Styrofoam-white mannequins in the windows of Forever 21 is not fashion law.
I started this article with the intent to write about metallic leggings, about collared chiffon shirts and spikes. But what the media tells you and what the style magazines and runways say should in no way influence your fashion choices.
Each year, top designers choose colors, this winter’s being oxblood, mint green, and teal, that will saturate the clothing market. When you choose to buy that luxurious oversized maroon sweater to pair with slate gray leggings and caramel leather boots, you’re electing to buy a predetermined color. Scope out a local H&M and you’ll see a saddening lack of oranges and yellows, simply because some fashion demigod decided that brights were not “in” this winter.
Aside from sewing your own clothes, there is a bit of wary tolerance you must give to the subliminal influence on all garments on the market, including the proliferation of high rise pants and mesh insets on tops and dresses. The solution lies within the creation of the outfit itself. Mix and match or spend a day at the local Salvation Army. There is a plethora of ways to wear peplum, and the power of pairing lies still lies in the individual.
The side cutouts and cross prints and lace up platform boots are all wonderful styles this season. But the most important thing is using style as a platform to reveal who you are, not who society tells you to be.