Love in the afternoon
February 10, 2006 | 12:00am
Gun? Check. Ammo? Check. Burning paper bag filled with suicide-inducing greeting cards and other V-Day paraphernalia? Check.
For those who find hallmark holidays cheesy or lame or, for most couples, disastrous, then Valentine’s, the most commercial of holidays next to Christmas, should find these same people fighting the urge to puke at the sight of those gaudy red and silver balloons and streamers and the sound of every romantically-inclined jingle on the airwaves. Considered a catchpenny commodity for retailers hoping to sell cheap schlock for two at a higher price, it’s become that insipid day marked by girlfriends whining to their boyfriends about their lackluster gift-giving abilities and single girls getting drunk on cheap booze (oh wait, that’s the fun part).
Surely, we asked ourselves, there should be more to Valentine’s than this. More than silly greeting cards or movies like Sleepless in Seattle, where a woman who literally stalks a man is considered determined and not psychologically imbalanced (it’s the chick version of Fatal Attraction). As we flipped through our fan mail and assorted V-Day cards from several eager admirers, we at YStyle decided that the best way to celebrate the day that used to be all about love was to go back to the good ole days – before Viagra and one-night stands (not that we know anything about either) ruined romance.
Our inspiration? Early Americana. Designers like Marc Jacobs and urban prepsters Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger have revisited the ‘50s, bringing back those sweet stripes and smart navy trimmings. Their spring/summer collections debuted to resounding hallelujahs from teen magazine editors tired of girly girl ruffles and extreme tailoring. Instead, the dashing pieces they sent down the runway were old school throwbacks to diner style, pre-pop influences. Mom and pop stores, nautical gear, college wear – these themes monopolized the runways.
An exercise in conservative wear, this style is dominated by sweater vests, upturned collars, candy colors, sweet prints and a carefree attitude. Nothing beats class, which means heart-covered nighties converted into cute tank tops and paired with a denim mini and bright yellow cardigan. The ubiquitous boots and stilettos were traded in for more comfortable flats and preppy mary janes. Pencil skirts and suspenders made a surprising good pair, especially when combined with an eye-popping top.
For all its rockabilly intentions, these fashions are hardly earth-shaking. Instead these classic styles prove that no matter how many trends come and go, pretty and sweet will never be out of the picture. Perhaps the same can be said of Valentine’s.
For those who find hallmark holidays cheesy or lame or, for most couples, disastrous, then Valentine’s, the most commercial of holidays next to Christmas, should find these same people fighting the urge to puke at the sight of those gaudy red and silver balloons and streamers and the sound of every romantically-inclined jingle on the airwaves. Considered a catchpenny commodity for retailers hoping to sell cheap schlock for two at a higher price, it’s become that insipid day marked by girlfriends whining to their boyfriends about their lackluster gift-giving abilities and single girls getting drunk on cheap booze (oh wait, that’s the fun part).
Surely, we asked ourselves, there should be more to Valentine’s than this. More than silly greeting cards or movies like Sleepless in Seattle, where a woman who literally stalks a man is considered determined and not psychologically imbalanced (it’s the chick version of Fatal Attraction). As we flipped through our fan mail and assorted V-Day cards from several eager admirers, we at YStyle decided that the best way to celebrate the day that used to be all about love was to go back to the good ole days – before Viagra and one-night stands (not that we know anything about either) ruined romance.
Our inspiration? Early Americana. Designers like Marc Jacobs and urban prepsters Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger have revisited the ‘50s, bringing back those sweet stripes and smart navy trimmings. Their spring/summer collections debuted to resounding hallelujahs from teen magazine editors tired of girly girl ruffles and extreme tailoring. Instead, the dashing pieces they sent down the runway were old school throwbacks to diner style, pre-pop influences. Mom and pop stores, nautical gear, college wear – these themes monopolized the runways.
An exercise in conservative wear, this style is dominated by sweater vests, upturned collars, candy colors, sweet prints and a carefree attitude. Nothing beats class, which means heart-covered nighties converted into cute tank tops and paired with a denim mini and bright yellow cardigan. The ubiquitous boots and stilettos were traded in for more comfortable flats and preppy mary janes. Pencil skirts and suspenders made a surprising good pair, especially when combined with an eye-popping top.
For all its rockabilly intentions, these fashions are hardly earth-shaking. Instead these classic styles prove that no matter how many trends come and go, pretty and sweet will never be out of the picture. Perhaps the same can be said of Valentine’s.
BrandSpace Articles
<
>
