Let’s Talk About This Mess We Call American Style
Okay, look. I’ve been in this business for 22 years, and I’m gonna say something controversial: American fashion is having an identity crisis. It’s like we’re standing in front of a closet full of clothes and screaming, “I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!”
I mean, think about it. We’re a nation of 331 million people, and what do we wear? Jeans. And not even cool jeans, like the kind they make in Italy or Japan. No, we wear the kind that come from a place called “The Gap.” And don’t get me started on the state of men’s suits. It’s a tragedy, I tell you. A straight-up tragedy.
So, about three months ago, I decided to do something about it. I was at a conference in Austin (yes, I know, I should’ve been in Milan, but hey, we can’t all be fashion elites), and I said to myself, “Linda, you’re gonna figure this out. You’re gonna find the soul of American fashion.”
First Stop: The Mall
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Linda, you idiot, the mall? Really?” But hear me out. I needed to see where the average American is getting their clothes. So, I went to the mall. The one in Paramus, New Jersey. It’s basically the Grand Central Station of consumerism.
I walked in, and it was like a bad acid trip. There were so many stores, and they all looked the same. There was a H&M, a Zara, a Forever 21, and about 17 different places that sold the same exact jeans. I’m not kidding. I picked up a pair from one store, then I picked up a pair from another, and I couldn’t tell the difference. I mean, literally, I held them up to each other, and I was like, “Are these the same pants?” And they were. Basically.
I talked to a sales associate named Marcus (that’s not his real name, but let’s call him Marcus because I can’t remember his real name). I said, “Marcus, why are all these stores selling the same pants?” And he said, “Because that’s what people want.” And I said, “But Marcus, that’s not fashion. That’s just… commerce.” And he said, “Lady, I just work here.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough.
Then I Went to a Thrift Store
Because, you know, I’m not completely out of touch. I know that the cool kids are into thrifting these days. So, I went to this little place on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. It was called “Retro Threads,” and it smelled like my grandma’s basement. But in a good way. Like, a nostalgic way.
I started digging through the racks, and I found this amazing vintage Levi’s jacket. It was from 1978, and it had these incredible details. The stitching, the buttons, the way the pockets were sewn in – it was like wearing a piece of history. I tried it on, and I was like, “This is it. This is the soul of American fashion.”
But then I looked at the price tag, and it was $214. And I was like, “Nope. No way. I am not paying $214 for a jacket that’s older than I am.” So, I put it back. And I felt sad. Because I realized that the soul of American fashion is trapped in a time warp, and the only people who can afford to buy it are trust fund babies and fashion editors.
Then I Did Something Crazy
I went to a fabric store. And I bought some fabric. And I made something. I know, I know, I’m a magazine editor, not a seamstress. But I figured, if I’m gonna complain about the state of American fashion, I should at least try to do something about it.
So, I bought some denim (because, you know, we’re in America, and denim is basically our national fabric), and I made a skirt. It was a simple A-line skirt, with an elastic waistband, and I added some patches and pins to make it look cool. And you know what? It was fun. It was empowering. It was… kinda hot.
I wore it to a party last Tuesday, and this guy named Dave (again, not his real name) came up to me and said, “Hey, I like your skirt. Did you make that?” And I said, “Yeah, I did.” And he said, “That’s amazing. I wish I could wear something like that, but I have no idea how to sew.” And I said, “Dave, it’s not rocket science. You just need a needle and thread and some commitment.”
And then he said, “But I don’t have any commitment.” And I said, “Well, that’s your problem, Dave.”
Then I Realized Something
I was sitting at my desk, eating a salad (because I’m trying to be healthy, okay?), and I was looking at all the fashion magazines on my coffee table. And I realized that they all looked the same. They all had the same models, the same poses, the same boring, uninspired content. And I thought, “This is the problem. We’re all just regurgitating the same stuff over and over again.”
So, I decided to do something about it. I started writing about real people. I wrote about a woman named Sarah who runs a small business selling handmade jewelry. I wrote about a guy named Mike who’s a tailor in Brooklyn. I wrote about a teenager named Jamie who’s using fashion to express their gender identity. And you know what? People loved it. They loved reading about real people, doing real things, with real clothes.
And that’s when it hit me. The soul of American fashion isn’t in a vintage Levi’s jacket. It’s not in a designer dress or a pair of limited-edition sneakers. It’s in the people. It’s in the stories. It’s in the way we express ourselves, and the way we connect with each other.
But Let’s Be Real
I’m not saying that we should all start making our own clothes. (Although, honestly, it’s not that hard. And it’s kinda fun. You should try it.) I’m just saying that we should think about where our clothes come from, and what they mean. We should support the people who are doing something different, something bold, something real.
And we should stop buying the same damn jeans from the same damn stores. I mean, come on. We’re better than that.
So, here’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna keep writing about real people. I’m gonna keep supporting small businesses. And I’m gonna keep making my own clothes. (Well, maybe not all the time. I mean, I have a job and stuff.)
And I’m gonna keep talking about this. Because I think it’s important. I think it’s worth it. I think… yeah. I think we can do better.
Oh, and one more thing. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you should check out this current affairs analysis update. It’s not about fashion, but it’s about people. And that’s what matters, right?
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got. I’m gonna go eat some more salad now. Bye.
Author Bio: Linda Thompson is a senior editor at a major fashion magazine. She’s been in the industry for 22 years, and she’s seen it all. She’s opinionated, she’s blunt, and she’s not afraid to call out the fashion world on its bullshit. When she’s not writing about fashion, she’s probably making a mess in her sewing room or eating salad. You can find her on Twitter @LindaTweetsFashion.
