Blast - Be Groovy-Hip-Fly-Phat-Chic in 2008

Be Groovy-Hip-Fly-Phat-Chic in 2008

I know that every January, all the articles on fashion are always about getting fit and ready for the new year or what to expect from the spring fashions. That is just not what is on my mind this year.

Yes I will go over it, but I find that what is on everyone’s minds, from elementary school children to grandparents, have been the effects that the war is having on our daily lives. Everything from gas to fashion is affected and we just are ready for the end to arrive.

No one likes to have war, but too many people enjoy the spoils of war at the expense of other peoples’ lives on many levels, from the ultimate casualty to the slow draining death of the citizens of each country that is involved. Then there is the factor that we are all connected in some way or another so that makes the entire world part of a war that only some people are benefiting from in the first place.

You can see in fashion, more in 2008 than in 2007, the exasperation that is occurring with the fatigue of a 5-6 year war (depending on when “war” has been acknowledged) that is eating away at the fabric of the world or at the very least my world.

The holidays were not as bright this year because so many of us know young people that are not with us anymore due to the war. Some are more fortunate in the sense that they have to struggle to find a new life, be they wounded physically or mentally, but they are still here. Some of us have loved ones that are just still out fighting or training to fight and we just wanted them home so that we could hold them close.

So many children are saying things like, I don’t want anything for Christmas or Hanukkah, I just want my mommy and/or daddy or uncle or auntie to come home to be with me. That was just so heartfelt to me. So I have pondered over and over how not to include the gray in my commentary of the fashion scene for this article but it just came off fake.

Once you get a chance to review the fashion for 2008 you will see the directional change that I spoke of previously with the hip hop bling bling fading away. All that flash and opulence can’t continue when we are paying over $3 a gallon for gas.

The spring for 2008 is all about a re-emerging of the 1960s. The flower child influence is definitely there. The bright colors and beautiful fabric crafted in patchwork styling is channeling a message of antidisestablishmentarianism.

The overall movement in fashion is about modesty and classic elegance. The classic 1940’s through 1950’s house dress has come back in an amazing way. They are fitted in the bodice area but flow in a slight A-line that gives the body of a woman its greatest appeal. A very come hither look that is not scandalous.

Knits are hot for the entire year. In the spring they start off small and tight and as we move into fall they get bigger and chunkier. This year the styles are all about comfort and finding a swaddling delight in what you wear.

The name of the game for fall 2008 is secretary chic. That means that some button down shirts and classic sweaters can be added to the wardrobe that you already have to create the lines that will define the season.

This year, the fashion gods have created the proverbial chicken soup, the ultimate comfort food in clothes. So get out your favorite pieces and add a little new and make a statement that sticks it to the man and you will be ready to take on the fashion world and be groovy-hip-fly-phat-chic all of 2008.

Keep your heads up and stay fashionable!

Fashion designer Elle Bowman keeps Blast Magazine readers looking fabulous with her style columns. She is the owner and head designer of NOESLLA.

In Couture, Culture on January 3, 2008 at 10:28