Keeping up with trends... Oh Brother!

Now it would only make sense that as a male blogging about fashion and such, I'd have a post dedicated to discussing trends. Not. I despise the word, and I shutter to think of how it is so carelessly tossed around in the circles of discussion by men in the know. This is because the word "trend" as defined by my personal favorite, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is " to extend in a general direction : follow a general course".  This is not fully clear as we are talking about a trend as it relates to fashion and style.  The word "trend" in this instance then, is used to describe a short-lived dalliance with a particular piece, fabric, or design of clothing currently popular. And most infuriating of all, is the atrocious gall of those at the spearheads of these campaigns. 

You see at one time or another we all can attest to having laid at the feet of the fashion police, our hideous choice in garments.  Usually we shall find that the source of our offense was the "trend" at that time.  Remember the baggy linen suits, japanese fantasy shirts, and ughhh crocs? I'm sorry I felt the need to recall those items to memory, but this memory/ies are crucial in pushing the "nuke" button on trends. I feel trends serve as at times fashionably safe but more oft than not ridiculous guidelines for the mindless drones of the world. I don't care what ANYONE says, you do not look good in either shirts so baggy they could pass for skimpy dresses or jeans so tight they belong on your youngest sister's unborn baby.

Now the difference between fashion trends and style is that fashion trends are forever changing and evolving to suit the immediate needs of the masses. Style my good men, is timeless.  Style is why George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Morris Chestnut, and Shemar Moore will be forever remembered.  Fashion trends are what keep you and your buddy in the stores shopping mindlessly, under the illusion you have taste, when in fact you are playing into the mannequin illness (Mannequin illness - dressing yourself from head to toe in a particular label.  Old navy, Express, Aeropostale, etc.). Now it is understandable... Actually, scratch that. No it is not. What isn't? I'll tell you what isn't! Adorning your favorite brand shamelessly all over your person. Yes, it is easier for women, since they have so many designers and styles to choose from. But as with most everything, your options increase as your knowledge does.

Can you tell which you should avoid... C'mon... You can do it!

In short? ABORT trends... ABORT, ABORT, ABORT! It is not about trends, but style. That is the aim. A navy cardigan will NEVER go out of style, at least until the British are... Well they aren't going anywhere, sooo... Yeah. Stay with pieces that are not only a compliment to your robust, round, stickly, or solid frame but also a compliment to classic style. The type of style that jumps out at you in an advertisement for Nautica or JCrew. Don't become a clone, choose to be a prototype.  If you are ever lost as to what to look for and where to look, do what I do, READ. There is plenty of great material out there that can lead you on the path to cotton, wool, cashmere, and denim redemption. Sure the task of sorting through that material can be tedious and trying, but hey beauty is pain. In this case, just be happy the pain is in doing a little research and  not in the form of 6 inch stillettos.

Till next brothers and sisters,

Cheers