Fashion Through The Ages

Recently I began watching the series Alias from the very beginning. It's a "spy" show that was created around 2001 by JJ Abrams - the man who also created my favorite show Lost as well as the new show Fringe. It stars Jennifer Garner (who makes me feel like a big fat slob) and some other people who aren't really that famous but look good on camera. Also, I have noticed that it is basically a fashion plate for the early 21st Century.

Ms. Garner (or Mrs. Affleck I should say) has sported just about every fashion trend I can remember from 2001! Crocheted hair kerchief - check! Midriff baring tops - check! Cowl-neck sweaters - check! Fashion colored sunglasses - check! I believe I even spotted one of those "Y" shaped necklaces that were so popular. Also, I may be wrong, but I think that it was about this time when being "metero-sexual" came en vogue for men because these fellows look very well groomed. Rawr.

These revelations gave me cause to ponder other shows and movies that appropriately illustrate the fashion trends of their respective time periods. Here's what I came up with:

ET: This movie always sparks the nostalgic part of my brain. The clothes, the furniture, the haircuts - they all SCREAM 1980's. The 80's were a happy innocent time for me - all Barbies and My Little Ponies. However, I did spend a lot of my time in orange corduroy pants, high necked ruffled blouses and bad haircuts. At least I can take comfort in the fact that I was not alone.

Breakfast Club: (Pretty in Pink & Sixteen Candles too) Same thing. The clothes, hair cuts, cars - everything about this movie epitomizes my early school years. Except that clearly these people had more money and a better sense of style than me. Oh well!

Singles: This movie perfectly encapsulates the early 1990's for me. Grunge and the "art" of looking carelessly put-together was high style for the time. It should have been a relief except that I always seem to put more time into looking messy than otherwise! Grunge was supposed to be easy!

Reality Bites: Again, the perfectly un-put-together look clearly defines my (early) college years. I also want to point out that this movie inspired me to purchase a video camera with my brand new Discover card. My very first large impulse purchase. I wish I could say it ended well, but well... Let's just say that college kids and credit cards shouldn't mix.

Friends: Of course! This show is an icon for not only the "Rachel" haircut but the increasing trend of smart causal wear for men folks. One doesn't always need to look like a bag of ass when walking out the door! Imagine! I for one was grateful for Joey, Chandler and Ross. Thanks for pulling up your pants!

As for the first part of the early 21st century - I really didn't watch that much. I was busy with the Navy and having a baby and stuff. The shows that I regularly tuned into were Survivor and Trading Spaces. Even the most charitable person can not credit either show for having a strong sense of fashion.

Now-a-days I still watch Survivor but I also watch Lost. Unless "survivor chic" is a new trend that I'm unaware of - I'm not getting any fashion advice from my television. I see advertisements for Gossip Girl and can't help but be curious. Is this the current trend? Ass baring skirts for the ladies and Hugh Hefner ascots for the boys? Whatever. I'll stick with my tried and true "style." Solid colored shirt and jeans/capris. Can't go wrong there, right?

So, what fashion trends do you remember? What influenced your style? Inquiring minds want to know!