Ever Changing

Over the past semester we have considered many different writing and fashion, techniques and patterns. Some you may have loved and hated others. We discussed personal style in writing and fashion, how the two intersect and the necessary effort in developing both of these things.

With new lines out each season, it takes a little effort to keep with the times. It doesn't just take one year of looking at a fashion magazine to then become a fashionista. You have to look at the new fashion season, observe what others are wearing, and be willingly to rid your closet of your favorite outfit because it may be "last season".

And in the same way, you will have to put in some energy to continue growing as a writer and developing your voice. That is the beauty of fashion and writing. You can choose the voice you want to have and choose the style you want to express. It is important to not just keep writing but to keep reading and recognizing what new techniques people are using to get inspiration and fresh ideas from.

But in order to be a great writer and fashion forward dresser, considering these to subjects must become a lifestyle. Just like any expert does you must do your research and homework to stay in fashion and have fresh writing styles. You will always be you but often times a fashion magazine or a great book can draw out of you thoughts and style you never knew you had.

What's Your Style?

We've covered a lot the past few months. We've looked at how to write simply, with someone else, and cohesively. We've talked about following rules and breaking rules. We've looked at about as many styles of writing as we have styles of fashion.

We've got about as many styles as there are children in large families on TLC. (Though that may quickly be false, I hear there's a show in the works called, "Bob and Sue with Thirty-Two.) As many looks as you can think of, there's a style of writing that can be seen as a parallel.

So what's your style? What sets you apart? What's your statement?

How do you write? What's your hook? Where's your voice?

Those questions aren't that different from each other in terms of underlying context.

Maybe your style's more classical with a twist:

And you write with a dignified flair for the pompous with a harsh reality.


Or maybe you're more barebones with a laidback feel:

And your writing comes from a basic place with short sentences with little fluff.


Or maybe somewhere in between with a casual feel and a dash of personality:

And you take a straightfoward approach with a spice of personality that makes your writing unique.

Or maybe you're none of these! Maybe you're an Anthropologie girl or a Abercrombie boy, a Thrift Store chic chica or a Gucci garcon.

No matter what you are, be you. And write from the heart. And may good fashion choices and great sales greet you wherever you go with your words.

All images from americanapparel.net

It's Only Just Begun

As the blog comes to an end, I say this: It is only the beginning. Over the past few months we have looked into fashion and it's parrallels to writing as well the different techniques we can practice through each of them. From the runways in Paris to the cover of Vogue magazine, we have covered it all. I have learned a lot myself about how a person's individual style can be shaped to reflect their writing style and how many times both are correlated to one another. Fashion and writing are both artforms where one can express their creativity, shaping and shifting around different techniques. Make it yours, make it work because our writing and our personal style makes us who we are. Sure at times it may be difficult to write and we have all had moments where finding a top to pair with bottoms can be one of the trickiest tasks you have ever been faced with, but keep in mind your voice and your personality. Au Revoir for now.

Accessory Addition

It is not unusual for me to spend all my energy thinking and planning the clothing part of my outfit. Which is obviously very important but can leave my outfit looking dull and me feeling frustrated. I forget how much a few great accessories can add to an outfit. Notice I said a few great accessories. It is entirely possibly to over due it with jewelry, hair pieces, bracelets, belts, hats, shoes, etc. Choosing the write combination of accessories is so important you might as well not where any if you can't find the right mix and balance.

The thing I find most important when accessorizing is not that you match your necklace, bracelet, and earrings to all be the color or versions of each other. Leave the jewelry sets for your grandma. The most important thing to consider is matching your styles. Style is not color or pattern its an overall look. So for example, a diamond bracelet is not a good accessory to wear with your hemp necklace. However, chunky colorful bracelets, a pair of Raybans, and a long gold necklace showcasing the first letter of your name would work awesome together. The styles don't conflict but at the same time they are not too matchy-matchy.

When it comes to writing a book, essay, or short story it can be helpful to think about what "accessories" you can add to your piece. Maybe it's exciting and innovative word choice or the use of appropriate punctuation. An awesome, eye catching title can also add a lot to your piece overall. Sometimes as writers we focus so much on the body of our writing that we forget the little things, accessories that can add so much. It is the small, not quite as obvious things that can make your writing and outfit feel complete and special.

Collaboratation is Key

Dean and Dan of Dsquared² have quickly become an iconic team in the fashion world. Their Fall/Winter 2010 runway collection was edgy and in your face, including classic and destroyed denim, unique jackets, and post-urban materials. The entire show had a post-apocalyptic/vampire feel using mostly black fabrics an showing few brightly colored pieces. The video of the full men's show and the women's show is available at their website www.dsquared.com.


This dynamic duo in the fashion world has certainly made an impression on the population that is in tune with the world of fashion and their Spring/Summer line is a turn back towards classy and Western-inspired.

Dean and Dan are inseparable. The two are always together. As someone who has read countless interviews with them, it's weird when I see a photograph of one, but not the other (Granted, I can't even tell them apart.) The two work together and are a seamless team tour de force in today's fashion.

As writers, we may find ourselves in a place where we have to work together with other writers. Sometimes, your voice needs to remain intact. Other times, you need to make your voice sound more uniform with the other writers' voices that you're working with. Often we see this more in academic writing, science journals, and business plans. Much more practical uses than creative writing. But what we need to take away from Dsquared is their style of fashion icon. They are a team and are always mentioned together. They look similarly and sound the same. And their fashion excels because they work together and make their ideas one.

Now I'm not suggesting that the next business proposal you have to write comes at the end of intense togetherness time with your coauthors. But maybe talking to them and working closely with them is the integral part. Maybe through that, you can make your voices sound as one, just like Dean and Dan's ideas appear as though one designer is behind the fashions.

Images from dsquared.com, chicstories.com, and zimbio.com.

Ethics are In

The fashion world is a center for many controversies, but mainly on the mass consumer level. And for good reasons, Clothing stores like American Eagle, Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Aeropostale all use Sweat Shop labor. Back in the day, PETA used to throw red paint on fur coats that they saw. Now they are using the scandalous "Go Naked" ads to protest the unethical raising of animals purely to skin them for fur coats.

These ethical dilemmas of "Do we buy a fur coat even if it was made with ethically treated animals?" or "Do I buy this cheap polo even though 3 year olds in Malaysia worked 15 hours a day to make it?" make fashion a tricky road to walk on sometimes.

We face a similar level of ethics in writing. We have to make decisions as writers not to alienate our readers. We control a very touchy medium called "Language" and how we use it can anger people, or pacify them, or even mislead them. And there are times where we may need to do those, but oftentimes, I'm sure those aren't for ethically sound reasons. When we begin to write, we have to take our audience into mind and think about how far we can push them. Maybe using the word "fuck" for a very conservative audience isn't your best idea. But if that's your voice, you have to remain true to it, but learn the lines you can cross without making your audience take up red paint and throwing it all over your hard work.

Image from fanpop.com

Rough Beginnings

As the concept pops into your mind like a quick blink of the eye, the idea quickly becomes reality as it jumps out of your mind and onto paper. Rough drafts. They are messy but unique and the beginning to any great piece of work. Whether I am writing a short story or perhaps setting my hand loose to dance freely against a blank canvas, rough drafts are the genesis to all great works. In fashion, where would the greatest couture designs be if it wasn't for Alexander McQueen, or Karl Lagerfeld's imagery set to paper? I can assure you those mystical yet gravity-defying gowns would't have made it to the cat walk with out a rough draft to make these abstract concepts more concrete.
I began sketching at a relatively young age, in fact, I included one of my sketches I did a few years ago in this post to show that, although rough around the edges, a sketch is always organic and free-flowing. Writing is very similar in the sense because every great piece of literature began with multiple rough copies. The evolutionary process that a piece, whether it involves writing or fashion, is necessary in order to better the piece of work with each draft, each time bringing it closer to perfection.
We all remember brainstorm bubbles back from the second grade, when writing an essay involved the stringing together of four sentences. Writing rough drafts is a concept that has been instilled in our brain for many years because it helps us perfect whatever it is we are doing. From the cat walk to the New York Best Sellers List, they all had a rough beginning.

Inspired to Completion

It is not unusual for writer's to experience writers block. This is a time when we just have nothing to get us going, we are stuck, and nothings on the horizon. For some this happens in the middle of a long story or paper and sometimes it can happen before a writer even starts a piece. The typical advice for writers block is leave your desk and go do something active or something that has nothing to do with writing. It is great advice however we shouldn't stop there.

As writers we need to be proactive in fighting writers block. After taking a break and doing something active consider seeking out inspiration. Read something amazing, watch a well-made movie, look at good art and let these things remind you there is a reason to keep on going and a well worth it end result is possible.

When deciding on an outfit for a special occasions most of us look at what the mannequin is wearing or attempt to mimic for a lower price exactly what is on the runway. But I'd suggest that next time you need an eye catching outfit for that special occasion to check out some design blogs or color schemes to draw inspiration from. Let them lead you to deciding on what color you want to wear and style you want to wear. Bohemian, punk, classic, or romantic. You could even combine two different styles to create an original look. It may take a little more work than recreating an exact outfit but the results that come from using something other than clothes as inspiration for your next outfit will most likely leave you more satisfied and feeling like your outfit truly expresses you.

So, don't consider this a flighty pep talk but rather practical steps to continuing in a process requiring great determination and discipline. Sometimes all we need is a little inspiration.

Following the Trends

It's not always a bad thing to follow the current trend. I mean they are trends for a reason. Right now romper's are one of fashions currents trends. Almost every line is carrying them. Varying in color and fabric it'd be impossible not find one that you love. Some are super casual and perfect for a beach cover up, others are dressier and paired with some heels are great for a night out. Rompers are an easy way to look trendy with a small amount of effort. Needing only an awesome pair of shoes and a great hairdo, don't shy away from the romper trend.

Blogs are all the rage these days. Professionals and teeny boppers alike are using blogs as a way to stay connected and express who they are. The typical writing style used on a blog takes on a casual, personal, and honest tone. Blogs are a great way to practice writing on a daily basis, share writings as an amateur, and get others feed back.

If blog-style writing is what readers are reading it is worth our attention. So instead of shying away from trends all together consider attempting to wear or write them better than anyone else.

Sole Support

A good pair of heels does not only lend itself to giving a woman the elegant height she's always wanted. No. Heels also play an important role as the support to a perfectly paired outfit. Whether the shoes play the introduction to an outfit or the daring conclusion, the support is there and always strong. Much like sentences, heels assist an outfit in achieving a specific point or meaning. Relevance is the key idea here. While the heels don't give sole relevance to an outfit the concept of support stands strong here. Each piece of an outfit cannot stand alone giving the entire concept in one article of clothing.

Supporting sentences are similar to heels in that respect. No paper or written work can stand strong in meaning and depth without sentences offering support to the message. Joseph M. Williams of Style:Lessons in Clarity and Grace writes, "Readers must see how everything in a section or whole is relevant to its point." Williams goes on to explain that when readers view sentences that do not hold cohesiveness to the whole passage "...they are likely to judge what they read incoherent" (Williams 203).

Both heels and supporting sentences play major roles in holding pieces together, whether those pieces deal with articles of clothing or writing, the concept of lending support is imperative.

A Push Away Tradition

As lights flash down the cat walk the struts of each model are heard around the world as these vessels of fashion showcase the art work created by talented designers. From eccentric cuts and trims to wildly decadent colors, the ideas once in the mind of designers flourish onto the cat walks of Paris and Milan bringing to life an imagination worth capturing. This "thinking outside the box" attitude is what keeps fashion in high gear and all enthusiasts on their toes awaiting what is to come for each season.

Similar to fashion, writing too shares an outlet for creativity, not just in the imaginative stories but also with the form and techniques used to tell the story. Writers are constantly practicing new techniques in writing different from traditional to bring attention to writing as an art form. Books such as "Like Water For Chocolate" use techniques to engage the reader deeply in the story by adding elements, in this case the author uses recipes to unveil each chapter, not found in traditional form of writing. Author Laura Esquivel chose to include recipes within each chapter to bring to life the main character's love of cooking. By pushing the envelope in writing and using different techniques in writing, the author engaged readers and gave them something memorable to keep.

Thinking outside the box in both fashion and writing is critical because it makes for good entertainment. We as audiences need the unfamiliar to excite us and hieghten our senses, which is why pushing the envelope on traditional or perhaps experimenting with traditional forms of writing can turn into beautiful disasters, thus keeping the audience enterained. What is to come is never known and should never be expected.

Sparkle and Shine

It may not be right for all occasions but sometimes you need that outfit that truly outshines the rest. Your typical awesome pair of heels and great fitted jeans just won't cut it. Maybe your going to a huge event and an outfit that sparkles and shines is the only thing that can separate you from the mundane dress of everyone else.

Often times in writing a more standard way of writing is necessary. Putting in the time to really make your work sparkle and pop would not be worth it because of the audience. But sometimes, on that special occasion the extra effort will be largely noticed and truly pay off. When looking for something to draw extra excitement and attention to your writing consider thinking outside the box. Allow your first draft to be one that focuses on structure and clarity but once that's established look for how you can change it up, make it unique without losing its meaning.

David Sedaris, author of Me Talk Pretty One Day does an phenomenal job bringing his work to life and giving it that extra exciting appeal. You can see from the title alone that his writing pops, his writing stands out on a bookshelf lined with a 100 books. His quick, witty, and well-written book is full of awesome quotes. In this one he comments on typical tourist attire, "Comfort has its place, but its seems rude to visit another country dressed as if you've come to mow its lawns."

So whether you're dressing or writing, strive for pieces and words that will make your work sparkle and shine.

Make It Work

The reality TV craze ushered in one fierce gentleman who made the catchphrase "Make it work designers!" a household saying. Tim Gunn of Project Runway has encouraged designers and consulted them since 2004 on the popular TV show now in its 7th Season. From the first "Gather round, designers." and through every subsequent "This worries me." and to the final "Make it work, GO GO GO!" at the last fashion show at Bryant Park, Tim Gunn is the voice over the shoulder, the yetzer if you will, of every Project Runway contestant.

Sometimes as writers, we need our own Tim Gunn to guide our way. That's the reason peer editing is so important. By letting someone else look at your piece, they can tell you what someone who's outside of your creative fallout zone will see, think, or understand when they read your piece. They can say what worries them about your organizational structure. They can ask you questions about whether or not you'll be able to complete your vision in the page requirements. Tim Gunn does the same thing with the designers about their concepts and their time crunches.

However, sometimes the designers don't listen to Tim Gunn. Tim was worried that Season 4 winner Christian Siriano's designs would be too much for the judges. Christian went and did his own thing anyway and has become a huge success. Recently, his line of shoes for Payless flew off the shelves faster than you could say "Fierce." But there were other times where listening to Tim Gunn may have saved him and other contestants from elimination.

In the end, having someone look over your work doesn't mean that you HAVE to follow their advice. Sometimes it just means getting a second opinion or a reassuring statement that things are going according to plan. Sometimes where your piece is going might worry your reader, and they can guide you to a solution.

Make it work!

(Images from wikipedia.org and glamaddicts.wordpress.com)

Fashion: A Written Language

The Sartorialists of Writing have mainly discussed writing in relation to fashion, but what about the role writing plays in fashion and the industry itself?Writing takes on many forms, whether it is to tell a fictional story or perhaps writing takes on an informational approach with the hopes of teaching an audience something new. Writing also plays an important role in fashion and how the concept of style gets out to the public. Magazines such as Vogue and Lucky share ideas and stories revolving the art of fashion to audiences all over the world all while practicing a stylistic approach to writing different among the rest. Writing for a fashion magazine takes, not only knowledge of the industry, but also the skill to write for the appropriate audience. Doing so may prove to be a task more difficult than finding ways to pair black with brown. As I flip through the most recent issue of Lucky magazine I take notice a simplistic approach to writing. The style is approachable and comforting to the female ear, like a lunch date with one of your closest girlfriends. The ease and flow of words allows the reader to lose track of reality and dive into a world created by colorfilled pages and eye-catching headings. This style of writing is one that can differ from the rest in that both technique and language are tailored to the female perspective in sight and in mind. Layout also plays a large role in how the magazine is read because, as you can find in typical fashion publications, you are not always reading pages filled with text, but more so with images. The text seems to wrap itself around the photographs to reveal the story through both words and images. Writing for a fashion magazine is creative, fun and thought-provoking. The style is all about having fun and being unique, whether it is being applied to fashion or the self. It's like reading a letter from your best friend.

Starting Strong, Ending like McQueen

It can begin any way you like it, perhaps a bold red lip starts the outfit strong to later draw the eye near the floor for heels that leave a person dead in their tracks. In fashion statement pieces are used as showcase items, items needing nothing but a blank canvas to rest upon. Starting strong and ending strong is an important tip in fashion because it gives the entire look excitement from beginning to end, hence the term "fashion statement."
Writing is similar in that it is always important to begin a piece strong, giving the reader a reason to continue reading, and end strong to leave an impression or statement. When writing I have learned that in order to grab attention you must do something that creates emotion, whether the emotion is happy or sad, the connection is made and the message is heard. Like starting an introduction strong, ending a piece is just as important. In fashion, making a statement is leaving a lasting impression on someone. This rule applies to writing as well. Leave them with something strong and powerful because that is how your message is remembered.

Images courtesy of http://chictopia.com and http://styls.blox.pl

White-T Way of Writing

Once used for the sole purpose of an undergarment, the White-T has evolved into a fashion staple lending style and ease to any outfit or current trend. After recently taking the fashion world by storm the simple White-T has been seen on celebrities as well as on the red carpet giving all who where this plain, cotton-based fabric a laid back appeal. But what is it about something so plain and simple that leaves people wanting more? Like fashion, writing too embraces simplicity and concision.
What I mean by this is that in order to give your audience, both in the fashion world and in terms of writing, a clear message it is important to practice concision. Concision in writing refers to being brief in your sentences. Deleting words that mean nothing or have no effect in your sentence should be deleted. Concision in writing is one of the keys to clarity and much like the White-T it can be applied to anything. Even with stilettos.

All images courtesy of Chictopia.com

En Garde!

Avant Garde fashion is all about making a statement. Whenever I think avant garde, I immediately go to Sarah Jessica Parker who always is wearing something crazy, in both real life and in her role as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex in the City. Just take a look at this Alexander McQueen gown and hat SJP wore to the Sex in the City: The Movie premiere.
It's kinda crazy, isn't it?

But this is what she's known for. And her personality allows it to work.

Experimental writing is meant to give this same kind of shock value. A writer's voice and a good hook allows a reader to accept unconventional methods. If McQueen (RIP) wasn't so technically strong, the fashion world would never accept that hat. Writers like Chuck Palahniuk, T.S. Eliot, and William S. Burroughs broke the rules and wrote stories and poems that challenged the establishment.

If these writers had been asked to write a "normal" text, I'm sure that they could blow us out of the water. The fact that they can do that so well, allows them to break the rules that they know inside and out and literally make us do a double take. We as writers have to learn the rules in order to break them. Alexander McQueen did it with his clothes. Now it is our turn to do it with our writing.

Image From stylefrizz.com

liberate Me

Sometimes writers just need to loosen up a bit in order to take their standard, typical piece to that next level where it would sparkle and shine. Often times writers feel hindered or restricted by rules, rubric, and deadlines which leave their work cookie-cutter, boring, and lacking of its full potential.

Free People is a clothing line which signifies liberation, individuality, and freedom. As you can tell from the name all their pieces are very flowy, creative, detailed, and free. Because of the diversity of this lines pieces you can tell the freedom their designers must have in creating work in which they truly feel inspired to create. Free People beholds the originality so many clothing lines are lacking.

Just walking down the street you can tell that clothes wearers are constricted and confined. Sorority participants must wear boat shoes and a Vera Bradley bag and those involved in athletics, tennis shoes and sweat pants. Whether it is needing the independence to shed the worlds expectations of how they've always dressed or space to take the risks they have always wanted to take, people need liberation to be fashionable and original.

Same goes for writers. With all of the MLA and APA formats, grammar and punctuation rules, five paragraph format, and on and on and on. Most writers, especially college age, need to be reminded of their freedom, their license to be themselves and create work they believe in.

From the fashion world to writing arena this is all that's standing between typical and standard or eye-catching and innovative work or dress.

Back to the Basics

American Apparel. In the fashion world, they are the definition of basics. The hipster appeal is that they don't use sweatshop labor, but what's perfect is that they are well made, high quality simple clothes.

I think this outfit is great, a solid black sweater and a seersucker short with classic boat shoes in a neutral color. All available handmade from LA.

In writing, often we need to go back to the basics. Simple sentences can convey a point more clearly than a complex, convoluted sentence. And if a more involved idea needs to be conveyed, if we bog our words down with too much, the point can get lost. Instead layer ideas and introduce them gradually. Like a Deep-V with a cardigan and then a blazer to top it all off, the end effect will be tasteful, yet get the job done.

So don't be afraid to wear a white shirt and jeans. Sometimes, that's all you need.

Red Thread

Coming up with a reason to write anything is always the hardest part. There has to be a "So What?" a reason for the reader to care and follow things through from start to finish. The same pressure is on designers as they come up with the concept for their lines.

The metaphor for this consistency is called a "Red Thread." We see it in the cut of a jacket, a color scheme, or a pattern of fabric in fashion. In writing, we often have difficulties because it's not always stated right out. We have to read between the lines, search for the pieces of red thread that are hidden. Because these things aren't nearly as obvious when we read, as writers we have to guide our writers to the answers we want them to get.

We have multiple tools at our disposal to accomplish this. Repetition is the most effective. Just like with the slim black ties and black silk bowties in the Dolce and Gabbana Men's line, we see different variations of similar themes, but with consistencies. By looking for places where we can restate the theme we're trying to get across, our readers can find the pieces of thread and pick them up to get the total understanding of our texts.

Some Rules Are Made To Be Broken

Jackie Brown looked absolutely striking in her iconic black suit in the climax of Quentin Tarantino's movie Jackie Brown. She wasn't afraid to break the rules to get what she wanted. As writers and as fashionistas, I think we should attack what we write and wear in the same attitude.

One of the strongest fashion rules is not to wear brown and black together. Some people even stretch it to say that it's not acceptable even if the two colors are in the same pattern. Others make exceptions for outerwear, or if the brown is light enough, or whatever crazy way they manage to rationalize it. But I disagree. Sometimes, the brown/black rule needs to be broken. We need to charge boldly ahead and make statements that need to be seen. Much like this outfit worn by Matt Singer, the associate Men's Fashion Director for Bloomingdale's.

Like Mr. Singer's strong edgy statement (oh, how I want that jacket.), we as writers can kick some serious tail by breaking conventional grammar rules. More than rules like "Don't start a sentence with 'And,' 'Because,' or 'But." or "Start a paragraph every time you have a person speak." One of the most influential stories I've ever read was Heart of Darkness which follows almost none of the traditional grammar rules because of its complicated story telling aspect. Stories like A Million Little Pieces and Heart of Darkness break the rules and gives us writers a chance to do the same. We should look for moments and pieces that allow us to do such things as ignore traditional patterns of organization. Write a passionate rant without using paragraphs. write from a childs point of view using only lowercase letters or extensive punctuation.

Break Rules. Wear black and brown. Wear herringbone and pinstripe together. Break up infinitives with adverbs. Deconstruct sentence structure to make it your own. Do what you want as long as you keep your voice intact and your audience captivated.

Photo Credits: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,338838,00.html; http://www.gq.com/fashion-shows/F2010/backyard-bill/backyard-bill-fashion-week-street-style-photo-portfolio?slide=1#slide=12

My Personal Style

I'm not afraid to admit that I follow the trends. Most of them anyway. I don't want to simply wear whatever "I'm feeling inside" or whatever "best expresses me". Although that is part of it I also want to portray someone who is fashionable, someone who is in tune with what is going down the runway each season.

I love feminine, floral printed mini skirts as much as I like high tops and loose fitting tank tops. My personal style is a pretty even mix between a tom-boy skater girl and a pretty in pink girly girl. Both of these looks express who I am. Some days I love to ride my bike and be comfortable in cut-offs and converse high tops and other days I love to dress up in tights, high heels, and an awesome headband.

I'd say the most important thing to me when I'm deciding on an outfit is that I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard. I want my clothing to be straight forward and laid back. I don't want to make a person say "that doesn't seem like Dana" when they look at me. I want my clothes to be believable and honest. I strive to wear the things I do with confidence and edge while showing appreciation for the most delicate, beautiful details. Even though no one designer beholds all the desires I listed above check out freepeople.com for a line that comes pretty close.

So, the question is, how does my personal style parallel with my writing style? Well, it's pretty simple. As with my personal style, I am a fairly straight shooter when I write. I don't want to beat around the bush and I'm not going to try and convince you of anything. I want to make sense, communicate well and leave the rest to the reader for interpretation, inspiration, emotion, whatever. When someone reads my work or checks out my outfit I want them to leave with something. Maybe they want to attempt to write on a similar subject better than I have or run back to their own work and revise to make it more creative. The same is with my clothing choices. I want to inspire people, not to copy exactly what I wear but to take a risk and search for the exact article of clothing that fits them best. It may sound cliche but for me whether it's with personal style or writing style confidence is key.

P.S. I posted two pictures in attempt to portray both sides of
my personal style.

Style a la Moi

Classic with a hint of vintage flair. If I could describe my sense of style and fashion I would give you one word, no wait...maybe two words? There really isn't any single word that can easily describe my sense of style because though I wouldn't pin it as complex I would prefer to leave the boundaries wide open. After many years of feeding my fascination with fashion through the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and InStyle, I came to my understanding of what fashion means to me and how it has translated into every aspect of my life.

Throughout the years my sense of fashion has evolved from a childish throwback to the 80s, and let's thank god for that (bye bye scrunchies and overalls), to a more sophisticated and chic look (hello stiletos and fitted blazers). My style represents my character and how I want to be perceived because, let's face it, perception is reality. From throwbacks to the 80s with chic fitted blazers and strong shoulder pads, to the whimsical trends of the 70s. Fashion is an ever-changing form of creativity that I enjoy understanding and practicing, and much like my fashion depicts my personality, my writing also unveils a piece of my creative personality.

Its not the words I put down, but more so the way they are strung together. In fashion it's not just about the white t-shirt and jeans. It's about how you can take that white t-shirt and loosely tuck it into a fitted pencil skirt with nose-bleed inducing pumps. A contradiction? Perhaps, but who cares because it's me. My writing and style are both combinations of class with laid back flair and much like the white t-shirt and pencil skirt make a lovely contradiction, my writing too makes a contradiction. It's personal, elegant, and as laid back as a bowl of mac-and-cheese. Most importantly it's me.

Tyler's Style

As an aspiring sartorialist and blogger, I see it fit to combine the two. My style fits usually into one of two categories, nicer or casual, but most of the time, the basic concepts are the same. Solid colors or basic patterns (Stripes, herringbone, plaid) in generally form fitting or close cut clothes. Jeans or black slacks depending on the occasion. My accessories are varied. Shoes of all types in various colors (including a pair of high top converse with tennis ball fuzz on them), two rings that I always wear, a rosary ring on my left middle finger, and a claddagh on my right ring finger, and my 8 body piercings (eyebrow, navel, 2 microdermals on my chest, 4 microdermals on my hips). Occasionally, I also wear my glasses which are square black frames with white line details.

As a whole, my fashion sense is straight forward, comfortable, with a dash of a hard edge. I like it. It's comfortable, fun, easy to mix and match, and the best thing is that I can look good without even trying when I'm running late. It works with my personality and my writing style.

When I write, it's simple, but not plain. I think those two often get used as synonyms, but I think that simple and plain are very different. I don't have much adornment on the outside, I don't use fancy language or ten dollar words. But my work has meaning, depth, and a sense of personality. My clothes allow my personality to come out by not messing with my own image through words or brand names. But I'm not without edge. Filtered is one word I would never use to describe my writing. Vulgarity, language, it's all in there. It's my voice coming through. And how many guys do you know with 8 body piercings? Underneath my shirt are 7 of them, with the eyebrow as just a tease to what lies beneath. Like my metal is the hard edge to my style, my language is the hard edge to my writing.

But it's my style. I find it so interesting the twisting and the intermixing of all the aspects of our individual "self"s. Our writing, our sense of fashion, everything we do and see reflects who we are. We just have to hold them up as the mirrors to figure out how exactly that happens.

Welcome

Sartorialism – n. an interest in matters of or relating to the tailoring of clothing

This term quickly became a part of the blogosphere with the start of The Sartorialist Blog (thesartorialist.blogspot.com) in 2005 by Scott Schuman. Quickly picked up by the rest of the “plugged-in” world, he became one of the most influential people in the high fashion scene. His blog still goes on today as well as writing and photographing for many publications including Vogue (and its many foreign forms) and Gentlemen’s Quarterly (better known as GQ) and remains one of the strongest voices in fashion today.

The Sartorialists of Writing plan to explore the written word in many forms and the style of that. And what is more stylish than fashion itself? Words and fabrics intermingle in many ways. We read fashion magazines and we read T-shirts. We are almost always visibly assaulted by T-shirts as propaganda for political campaigns, a declaration of a personal view, or a silent shout of support for a band, sports team, or some other product.

Writing is a personal process and oftentimes our fashion style is the most outward expression of our personalities. We will explore these interactions between the realms of text and clothing and how an individual manages to manipulate both and create a persona of their own that is both effective and tasteful.