I remember an episode in the once popular sitcom 'Ugly Betty' where Wilhelmina (the evil editor of fashion magazine Mode) is hiding behind trashy clothes she would not be seen dead in. I think she was either going through a rebellious "I don't care" phase or was sneaking around trying to appear inconspicuous. When her extremely image conscious assistant Mike expresses his utter shock at her ill-fitting lumpy jumpsuit, she confidently states that it could very well be the next trend. And sure enough we soon see the receptionist donning an identical outfit.
Now this episode was aired a couple of years back and could very well be regarded as one of those ancient predictions that suddenly become relevant in contemporary society (think Mayan). 2011 can aptly be termed as the year the jumpsuits attacked. They suddenly jumped out of nowhere into the wardrobe of every child, teenager and woman. Although I'm all for keeping with the current trends, I couldn't quite get my head across this one. To me jumpsuits have always been the standard attire of house painters and... convicts. No disrespect to them but they have never really been a popular source of fashion inspiration for me.
Sure they look good on models on the ramp but then again what doesn't? They could be wearing a hamburger costume and still exude appeal (mmmm extra cheese). I have seen some women carry off jumpsuits to the tee but there is not one single dress in the world that wouldn't make them look better. I couldn't quite figure out my distaste towards them till I realized the uncanny resemblance to nightsuits. The uniform pattern throughout from the top of your head (well, sort of) till the tips of your toes. It's like wearing a printed shirt with printed pants, like teaming hot pink with hot pink. Which most people would not do on their worst days. Then how does it make it acceptable if the two pieces in question are stitched together?? And how did whoever came up with this brilliant design (after spending a few hours in community service picking up trash in a bright orange jumpsuit?) convince the whole world of its brilliance? How did millions of women get sucked into the "chicness" of something they would have scorned at otherwise?
Designer Elsa Schiaparelli throws some light on how trends like this spread like wildfire, burning the originality inherent in every one of us:
"Women dress alike all over the world: they dress to be annoying to other women."
:-)
