False nostalgia: the longing for or reminiscence of an era which you did not actually live through, having only “experienced” the era via its movies, television shows, music, etc.
It is no secret that people adore thinking about how great things were back in the day. It’s the reason why trends like “Throwback Thursday” and “On This Day” have become social media lingua franca, why vinyl is making a comeback and even why football teams wear their retro uniforms. But the younger generations (millennials, of course) seem to reminisce over eras that they never lived through and never experienced. Why?
As a whole, we are much more in touch with things that happened in the past because we are the first generation to have our entire existence documented online. Not only can we go back and look at our own past, but we can also go back and look at the past of everyone we know. Our lives have been so oversaturated with information that thinking about a time when things were simpler (even if we did not experience them first hand) gives us a sense of euphoric tranquility in a world that is far from such—television understands this, businesses understand this and fashion understands this.
This fall, New York Fashion Week flooded with looks inspired by one of America’s most nostalgic eras, the ‘70s. Designers like Burberry, Chloé and Gucci paid homage to the era with a modernization of the wide-legged trouser, off-the-shoulder top and oversized fur in their read-to-wear collections.
I find that the fashion trends of the ’70s scream colder weather, which is probably why I have adopted most of them into my fall closet. The silhouettes and fabrics (suedes, fur, velvet) of ’70s inspired garb keep you warm without making you sacrifice your style, and I am all for it. Dr. Rebecca Arnold, a fashion historian at the Courtauld Insititute of Art in London, says the ‘70s “seem like the most exciting period of decadence ever. There’s an element of the ’70s that can still seem somewhat outré, kind of glamorous, but a little bit sleazy as well. It’s got an edge to it.”
Her description of the ’70s is exactly how I would describe my personal style; startling, glamorous, edgy and a little bit sleazy. To me, personal style is just an outward reflection of yourself. Sure it feels great to look great, but more importantly it feels great to feel great. I want my wardrobe to be startling, to be glamorous, to be a little sleazy because that is how I feel most empowered. It is how I feel the most like me.
I am sugar, spice and everything nice—with a dash of Chemical X, of course.
