Heya, Wednesday. I've been tripping out on the new Ray LaMontagne all day. So psychedelic and dense and delicious. You have to listen if you haven't yet- the writing and orchestration is very beautiful and trippy. I'm really digging on it and think it's a good soundtrack for lazy Summer afternoons in nature (who am I?).
But I digress because I've been doing an awful lot of talking lately about my love for all things minimal. (COS e-commerce just went live yesterday. Rejoice, pared down basics fans of the USA, rejoice). But it's not just women who are seeking something a bit more spartan, it's also apparently happening to the boys.
Yesterday I read an article in the Sydney Herald about the death of hipster style. We've all heard this knell before, but I think there's some truth to it. PS the "source" in this article is a self proclaimed (uh huh) futurist who says things like: "“The whole hipster thing has been very connoisseurial...hipsters are all about getting to know a topic inside and out; especially when it comes to coffee. We're about to see a big change in that way of thinking; I want a straightforward espresso. I never want to ask for a skinny latte, or a double-drip-rare-bean-thingo again.” Ok, dude. We get it. You're a real man who is not a connoisseur. Not sure that's so great, but yea, we get it.
We're all sick of the hipster gimmicky thing. And though this same futurist type says that he's seen a huge uptick in brands like "James Perse", whose $100 tee shirts are not exactly news, something else is- the whole normcore movement is truly a reaction to our ribald consumerism. We have become a world of complete gluttonous d bags, and that's the truth. If the beginnings of an awakening mean we have to wear Birkenstocks with socks to get to a more enlightened place, then I'll do it. There's no doubt in my mind that men will be in a wayyyy better place if they stop trying to dress like Amish sex symbols (yes, that's a thing and you know it).
I will go to my grave touting the hotness of men who just dress like men, who can't fit into my jeans, and who don't wear anything ironic. Though i like some of the stuff the hipster dudes do for fun, I'm pretty sure that all of those pursuits (butchering, woodcutting, furniture making) would be a whole lot sexier if done in a simple tee shirt and jeans vs. modern Paul Bunyan. I truly think men have lost their way, and once again, if New Balance sneakers and a no frills approach to skincare is going to bring back some of that real dudeness I love, then yes please. Stop stealing our jeans, gentlemen. Get your OWN.
I'm convinced we're entering into a more function filled time- when consumption and flash sales and the need for more, more, and more again is going to fade from view, mostly because reality is setting in and all of that crap just isn't worth it- superficially or metaphysically. I for one am in favor of all of us taking it down many, many notches- it's not shocking that the first spare minimal moment of most of our lifetimes came in the 90s, as a reaction to the bright lights, big city vibes of the 80s. (Put down those shoulder pads. Right bloody now). I think we all really need to get back to basics- to find what life is all about, to live within our means, and try to remember most of all what it means to be a good human being- by giving back and doing good things for those who need us most. I like the idea of life getting a little less frilled, don't you? We've already seen the no makeup selfie take hold- so it stands to reason that our dude counterparts would be craving something a bit less tricky and well curated. (I can smell the Old Spice now). I think the whole hipster urban farmer moment got really muddled and messy in translation- I like that men were getting back to more pastoral pursuits, but dressing the part became something almost unbearably creepy, at least it did for me. Not appealing in any way. I think in a way it tried way too hard to be "anti style" so that in effect, in became way, way overwrought in its lack of, well, real style. (I know you get what I'm saying).
I'll be curious to see how brands like the GAP handle this new interest in simplicity- since they've got the former designer of COS onboard, they stand poised to reclaim their place as an American, effortless classic brand. And I'm not saying that the 1% will give up their spendy habits- but I can see them spending $200 on a plain tee shirt from Alexander Wang vs. anything over the top- I just see everyone going back to something quiet and elegant vs. tricky and gimmicky and LOOK AT ME.
I'm not going to cry when I stop seeing men in skinny jeans. I'm really not. Nor will I shed a tear over the end of the superbeard, or the demise of ill fitting rompers and 80s haircuts. I think many scoff at fashion as completely vapid, but I always found it held tremendous clues to what's happening in culture, and clearly, we've all had just about enough of THAT, when that is anything that feels too ridiculous, over the top, or vulgar. I'm calling it the Kardashian effect. Let's just all try to keep it real, ok? Contemplation, mindfulness, compassion. All of that. Maybe if we started focusing less on what we don't have and more on what we do, we could really get somewhere in this thing called life.
I'm looking forward to seeing men and women embrace something new, and something more meaningful. Let's just be who we are already. Peace and love, my friends. Apparently real men are back, one simple tee shirt at a time. Cause that's what's up this low key Wednesday in the 212. Yours, in re-evaluation. XO
(PS it helps if you look like Brando to rock that simple tee shirt. Young Brando, that is).