Fashion and Culture

What is Androgynous?

As a ‘look’ of a female resembling a male?

Popularized by actress Diane Keaton in the 1970′s movie Annie Hall, and copied as fashion apparel. Kate Bosworth and Amanda Peet recently went androgynous at New York Fashion Week. Sex and the City’s most recent movie shows again the fashion that elevates the power of women with a range of gorgeous styles to suit all tastes. Carrie played by Sarah Jessica Parker wears an androgynous style outfit that highlights the popularity of this style in fashion to hit the streets either at work or play. The androgynous look is a fun way to dress for work if your dress code forbids denim. You won’t need to go all out to pull the look off as single elements of the trend will be just as effective. Kate Bosworth and Amanda Peet embraced the menswear inspired fashion trend at the Rag & Bone Runway Show in Bryant Park.Since 2007 a new kind of power dressing for women has emerged in recent times providing a stylish alternative to the classic work suit. The androgynous look has been keeping ultra-feminine fashion in check on the catwalk, seeing a trend towards nipped tailoring and bold, brash statement dressing – changing the way we dress for the office forever.Whilst following all the current trends in the office is fun and fashionable, it also breaks the boundaries between work and play and like it or not, unless you work in the fashion industry, your boss will appreciate the smart and serious look rather than the ultra glam girl persona you may lead out of hours!

Choose trousers if you’re unsure of baring your legs and leave the killer stilettos at home if you fear toppling over in the boardroom. Combine subtle pinstripe, slim leg trousers with pointed heels for a feminine, slimming look. Always wear high heels but opt for a chunkier heel rather than a stiletto for stability and a perfect, confident walk. Pick jackets and blazers that are nipped in at the waist to create flattering curves and choose bold colours to wear underneath- weak pastel shades are the power dresser’s major fashion faux pas; beige is anything but brave – choose an ambitious red or empowering orange.

If you’re not sure about colour, embrace monochrome which is big business this season. Experiment with tailoring that features white lining and pinstripes, or simply add chic to a black suit with a thin white belt or bright crisp shirt. Never wear anything too detailed or patterned when power dressing (you want to be bold – don’t let your clothes steal the show). Choose straight, classic tailoring, smart, high-waist pencil skirts or trousers and find a style that you feel most confident and comfortable in. Always keep accessories to a minimum choosing silver jewellery for subtle sparkle and a subtle leather tote or handbag to finish your confident, empowering and fashionably fierce look.

Fashion Overview

A trend since the 80′s that enduring the period of time fashion and has been the fundamental time portal into the fashion culture and popular art with the feeling of that given age. Whether you liked what was popular in mainstream at that time, it still left its mark forever embedded in people’s memories. Fashion as a whole is a “personal mode of expression”, which was denoted by the hysteria of that time shown by the media, or by music that was popular at that time. We saw this as far back in the eighties, where the mode of feeling was innovative and experimental.

The newest trend amongst teens, “emo”, is quickly increasing in popularity… buy why?

The new trend is all about emotional music and expressing yourself in an individual way, without fear of what others think. It’s interesting taking a look at a cultural trend which likes to avoid labels and just be themselves (while being posers). In fact, if you talk to any emo kid they will give you a million-and-one reasons that they are in fact not an emo kid. But don’t worry, these kids aren’t afraid of labels. They want to be labeled, but they are scared to label themselves. They need the assurance that they look emo, and that you think they are emo.Emo fashion is exploding. A walk around your average mall will reveal the new, and sometimes disturbing, fashion trend that is sweeping the world. These kids wear tight pants, eyeliner, and colorful shirts with thrift shop accessories. They listen to bands such as Fall out Boy and Dashboard Confessional. Not that their music matters, what matters is this new fashion trend is exploding. But why?

No one knows why guys are so eager to join this trend as it’s staple is wearing your sisters pants and make up, while kissing your best guy friend. The girls, I’m sure, like seeing the guys who are not afraid to be labeled (as long as you label them as emo first!) and are not afraid of protecting their sexuality. Guys are just evolving and letting down their sexuality guards to impress the girls.

Regardless of what it is that really attracts them, they are here in big numbers.

If your looking to join this new culture, I would recommend you grab a pair of your sisters jeans, steal some of her makeup, and swing by the nearest thrift shop to pick up your new emo accessories. Than say good buy to your manliness.The truth about this new culture is that like most all other new music trends, it’s never really been about the music. It’s all about the look, the fashion, and getting as many friends on MySpace as possible so that you look popular!

The Shibuya district of Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, is the epitome of modernity, high fashion and fast-paced living. Travelers heading here for the first time from their Tokyo hostels, however, should be warned that it’s not for the faint-hearted.But once visitors get used to the business feel of Shibuya which is characterized by the bustling, five-way scramble crossing at Hachiko Square, they will be able to see just why this neighborhood is so popular.

Shopping

Tokyo’s fashion trends are a rare (and often shocking) departure from the ordinary and for those keen on exploring the current heights of this fast-moving obsession, Shibuya’s Centre-Gai road is the place to start.This narrow, busy street is located near the giant video screen in Hachiko Square and is difficult to miss. Lined with shops that are stocked with the latest fashion outfits and some bizarre designs, it’s a popular youth hangout and an excellent place to soak up the local atmosphere.

Museums

Continuing with the theme of the ‘unusual,’ Shibuya is also home to some quirky exhibitions. Arguably the most prominent on the list of these strange attractions is the Tobacco and Salt Museum, which (as you’d expect) specializes in the collection and study of all things related to these substances.Bizarre as it may seem, this is actually a quite fascinating examination of the history of two cultural staples across the world. The contrasting development of Latin American smoking and Japanese tobacco habits is of particular interest.Another museum (although with some marketing overtones) is provided care of the TEPCO Electric Energy Museum – TEPCO standing for the Tokyo Electric Power Company which has some interesting interactive displays.

Monuments

Amongst the throng of Shibuya’s fast-paced shopping and lifestyle, there are also some unlikely spots of tranquility which provide a peaceful departure from the lively city and packed Tokyo hostels.Highlights include the forested Meiji Shrine, which is dedicated to the souls of past emperors, and the Shinjuku Gyoen Imperial Gardens.