steampunk in the NY Times

[rm]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/fashion/08PUNK.html

On the one hand, I always groan when the New York Times covers any cultural phenomenon I have any connection with. On the other, this may be a good sign for more structured clothing in the fall season and they do get props for actually finding diverse folks to photograph for a change.

Comments

[p-zeitgeist.livejournal.com]

I can't log in to actually see the pictures, which is annoying; but I wonder about whether we'll ever see more structured clothes again, across the income brackets. The thing about structure is that it means clothes have to fit, and I am now all too horribly aware of the degree to which most contemporary clothes either don't fit (if structure has been attempted) or are designed so that they don't need to fit (limited structure, or else heavy reliance upon stretch fabric).

My mother was raised in the days when even if you were buying pret a porter, it was simply assumed that of course you'd have whatever it was fitted, and any store specializing in women's clothing would have at least one dressmaker on hand to do the fitting on something as soon as you'd decided to buy it. But I can't imagine we're going to see those days come back -- it's too damned expensive, and the customer base who understand and appreciate it shrinks with every passing year. And without that, finding structured clothes that work on your individual body is always going to be a matter of random good fortune. Even, Lord help us, for those of us who're thin enough to fit the current set of cultural expectations.

I hope I'm wrong, though.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

I was very happy and relieved to see a sign at Uniqlo yesterday saying that they offered free, same-day alterations to all clothing.

Of course, it was in a doorway in a corner downstairs, but hey! It was there!

[rosepurr.livejournal.com]

I am a short, fat woman. I love structured, well-made clothes. I have a very good tailor. :)