Fashion Rural Ramblings
When I was 16 I got my first pair of glasses. I had no idea that I was short sighted up until the time when I wanted a driver’s licence for a moped. Driving licence ages are very different in the UK. It’s 16 for a moped or light quad and 17 for a car. I have to say that I think few 14-year old’s are ready for the rigours and dangers of the road.
Anyway, my first pair of free National Health Service (NHS) glasses were thick black plastic frames. I hated them. Yet, many decades later they’re the height of fashion. I might still have them knocking around in a box somewhere.
Last week my Grade 11 son told me that camo was the height of fashion. What? When I’m not at work and most times when I’m working weekends out and about I’m wearing a trusty pair of comfortable UK military combats. They’re loose, hard wearing, allow a wide belt and have lots of pocketses for all that stuff I have to carry around.
The last few days I’ve noticed TV ads with young people cavorting around in denim. Strewth, as they say in the UK. Again, the best part of 40 years ago that was my normal outfit. Comfortable denim shirts and jeans. Again, I still have some of that clothing in drawer somewhere. Suddenly, my casual wear has put me at the height of fashion.
I’ve never bought a lot of clothes. I want comfortable, practical and when the need arises appropriate for the occasion. Usually, my family will buy me something for a birthday or Christmas gift if they think I need something. I guess I’m the fashion industry’s nightmare.
Many of you I’m sure have seen the TV documentaries about the clothing industry the sweat shops and the waste. Perfectly good garments going to the landfill or even burned to protect major brands. Even recycled garments can end up in the landfill and donated garments can end up in a foreign land on a market stall. And yet the TV and magazine ads push that we must have more. I’ve lived out of suitcases for six months at a time without buying anything new or looking out of place or scruffy. I’m not saying that we all have to do that but really? Enough already.