NY Observer article on workwear - Page 2

I dont think its a bad point that the "worwear trend" might be connected with the media covering of "the bad times", even if its a rather romantic analysis. Its not that far fetched that fashion trends are connected with rest of the culture, even though fashion cycles has an energy of its own, which seems to work mainly with contradictions (after clean and preppy follows raw and scruffy, even though the american style in one way or the other seams to have gotten alot of recognition...) I think its weird that the shit ive been into has become a trend, but that how it always is On the plus side, H&M has a really nice flannel with EG-ish buttons...

The 2008 Esquire Big Black Book has a similar claim.

The economic connection sounds dubious. It's possible that the relationship is more complex. For example, maybe in wealthy times, men go out and buy things that women ultimately tire of and so the guys return to basics to win female approval. Or maybe it's young guys distinguishing themselves from their slightly older peers, who might have been more flashy because the economy was allowing them to be. Analysis beyond a certain point paralyzes.

I'm all for over-analysis. Frankly, there isn't enough analysis around here. The "I buy what I like!" mindset just isn't interesting. Sorry fellas.

I don't buy the "economic downturn = let's wear blue-collar workwear" hypothesis. It's interesting but ultimately false. Plaids, flannels, and Red Wing boots have been creeping into high fashion for the past 2-3 years, and let's not forget that the Dow hit a high of 14,000 just last year. Even when the economy was flush, people were already moving into workwear. What we're seeing is simply the pendulum of fashion swinging back the other way. It happens every few years regardless of the economy.

In this case the rise of metrosexuality (eg. hoodie blazers & slim, dark jeans) in the early 2000s reached a point of absurdity when Joe Sixpack tried to pull off APC New Cures and fedoras. When you see stuff like this, things have to change. There's nothing authentic about skintight jeans and weird looking hats on most people, so the shift towards its opposite took effect -- ie. "masculine" buffalo jackets and Dickies.

This workwear thing will be popular for a season or three, and then we'll be off to the new new thing.

I agree with your assessment of the non-correlation of fashion trends with economic ones.

I think that most guys, including those interested in clothing, except for the very, very fashionable (and I can't count myself in that number) tend to gravitate to certain iconic images that are actually very traditionally masculine, so workwear (with western wear being a subset of this), and military gear, in heavier fabrics with so called "functional" details, will tend to be in favor with most guys more often then not.

So, yeah, there will be heavy doses of ninja chic for the next little while, and some of those silhouettes and fabrics may trickle into the masculine consciousness outside of lower Manhattan and Tokyo, just as super skinny jeans, deep v-necks (often striped), and fedoras, did. Incidentally, all these together make a great mime costume. However, these will see one or two, or maybe even three seasons, then disappear for a long while.

On the other hand, military and workwear trends have already shown greater lasting power, and while the crazy popularity they are enjoying right now will fade, they will appear in slightly adjusted forms just a couple of seasons later. Perhaps the references will be slightly different, and certainly the language used to describe the looks will change, but the underlying inspiration will be the same as before.

shit comes and goes but take SUPERBOBO for an example i dont know how long hes been dressing like he has... but shits coming back around to workwear so thats cool and if it falls out of favor after 3, 4 , seasons what have you... then so what hell still look different, cool , and masculine, in other words he wont look totally out hell just look cool... thats whats so awesome about workwear,, your never gonna be out. if not on the cutting edge of fashion then your just gonna be a cool lookin guy with some interesting clothes.. great, great, staying power and good use of a persons discretionary income on clothes for the long haul...

I consider SuperBobo more of a magpie than someone who fits into an identifiable aesthetic. He reminds me of myself in that, even when his acquisitions aren't super expensive, they're always very deliberately considered.

I think LA Guy is making a good point. I read somewhere that the basic inspirations for mens wear was sports wear and army clothes. You could probably add workwear to that. The difference now is that it seems to be pushed in a rather "pure" form. Swedish mags recommend Kato and LVC, instead of Acne, which is pretty unusual. But as said, often fashion changes seems to be pretty simple backlashes on the shit that was in before (tight pants to loose pants, 1+1...) Tagutcow, im not really following you... A magpie? :0 Seamless, thanks, I hoper you´re right.

Ding ding ding ding, we have a winner. Guys, even really stylish guys, aren't very original with the overall image of their clothing. The basic iconic themes (as long as they are not rendered in too extreme a fashion) will always look good, and relevant.

I think most of the Engineered Garments etc is ridiculous. Why not buy the original for one tenth the price? its all on ebay, or tokyo if you happen to be here.

^^I buy alot on ebay, and thrift, but if you have the money, repros are surely easier to find. Not to mention, that the orginals of some stuff that EG and the other japanese labels do, are even more expensive. Chore coats and chambray shirts from the 20s and 30s are rare.

i don't really own any workwear. also at least on here and the other forum don't people still wear skinny jeans?

while i agree with many points being made in this thread, i think most are not fully grokking the point of the article. it's not saying that a trend towards workwear didn't exist before - it's saying that it's a trend that will become significant because it's conveniently dovetailing with external forces. when your average person has to limit spending but still wants to buy something, something rugged, "durable" and timeless that is also blessed by metropolitan tastemakers will be a no-brainer.

Very good summary. "Blessed" might as well be defined as marketed, because retailers become more conservative in anticipation of shoppers being less willing to take risks with their money. One contention is with the possible suggestion that most guys are followers - even if they are, they don't want to be clones and they would like to experiment a little. Hence, the tasteless patterns and loud colors many men have in their closets.

i have a workwear blog on my website which is all about workwear - krowmark workwear