A commonly held misconception about the fashion world is that it’s merely a superficial realm built upon a resounding bourgeois obsession with creating an image of luxury. Although the fashion industry does ground itself in an appreciation for aesthetics, all too often this love for beauty is associated with arrogance and a condescending air. What many people forget is that fashion, like painting and sculpture and architecture, is an art form in and of itself. All one has to do is look at the lavish couture runways to see that clothing is more than just fabric.
However, the sartorial spans much farther than the fashion fairy tale that is haute couture. Arguably the most influential and inspiring category of fashion comes in the form of street style. It’s within everyday street wear that we truly see people’s personalities and the incredible diversity that exists among us. While haute couture may be the equivalent to the art in the Louvre, street style is like the street art, murals and graffiti that we see painted upon the walls of the concrete jungle. Street style shows off the sartorial sense of humor, proving that fashion is just as much about making a personal statement as it is about looking chic.
This week’s Fashionista is showcasing a trend which channels the unapologetic nature of street art into street style. The statement sweater is one of the hottest trends for this fall and it’s not hard to see why. These sweaters combine the comfort and coziness that we Fashionistas long for on the coldest of fall days, with the cheeky boldness that defines what fashion is all about. When it comes to graphic statement sweaters, ditch the dainty and go for the daring. Take inspiration from the loud colors and strong shapes often used in graffiti, and create as much contrast as you please. If you want to wear your heart on your sleeve like this Fashionista, opt for the dark gray version of this sweater from Wildfox. A personal favourite of mine is this sweater from Petals and Peacocks, which makes a strong statement about fakes in the fashion world. Keeping with the maximal black and white color contrast is this edgy skeleton print knit from ASOS. For you Fashionistas who want to rock the skull trend in a more abstract way, this ruby-toned sweater from Illustrated People is a great wardrobe addition. Lastly, Fashionistas who want to combine fine arts with the art of fashion should opt for this pop art sweater by Selected.
It’s often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Whichever mode of expression you choose this fall, make sure that you use a sweater as your canvas.
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