This is some sort of sick joke, right?

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I don't consider them fashion (it is only incidental that one of my is somewhat visible to others). Each of mine is a statement to myself, not to the external observer. Similarly, my toenails are almost always painted, but nobody ever sees my toes but me and Lani (I am rarely without shoes outside of the house). But if you consider them fashion then I wouldn't really be able to argue the point.

I'm not sure that fashion needs to be public - while public displays of lingerie have become more comonplace, I think I number of people still limit that viewing to their intimates.

In agreement with you (I presume), I think people are happier when the dress "for themselves" and not for the external observer - AKA Posseur.

But again, I appear to use the term "Fashion" a bit broader than most, who seem to use it a synonymous with "trendy." I think many people come to think of "fashion" as having a negative connotation as a result of that, which unfortunately prevents or limits the discussion of what our own "fashion" might be.

[Alex]

I don't think "fashion" needs to be intended for a larger audience but I do think it really does involve some type of presentment to an audience, even if it is very small.

Now, whether this audience can be so small as "yourself" I don't know.

Painting my toenails has little to do with presentation (to a group or myself) but rather I just enjoy the 20 minutes of quiet together time with Lani while she paints them. And yet I won't let her use "feminine" colors like pink or red but instead generally stick to greens and blues. So while the decision to have painted toenails is fashionless, does the color preference introduce fashion even though it is purely for myself? I don't know, and that's why I said I couldn't really argue.

In the same vein as "everything is political" is any statement of preference a statement of fashion? I can certainly see it argued convincingly either way. Personally I have put the line as any decision of preference where what another (whether one or many) will think of the it is an influence in making the decision is a decision of fashion.

So for me, personal style can exist outside considerations of fashion but I'm being arbitrary and am not married to the idea.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

In the same vein as "everything is political" is any statement of preference a statement of fashion? I can certainly see it argued convincingly either way. Personally I have put the line as any decision of preference where what another (whether one or many) will think of the it is an influence in making the decision is a decision of fashion.

Thats a good question I view fashion as being in it's essence a form of communication - which requires a sender and reciever, so traditionally an other, but there are whole schools of intrapersonal communication, so communicating with yourself is not out of the question.

I also tend to lean towards the absolute that views all "aesthetic" decission to be fashion - so selecting a paint color in a sense is making a fashion decission.

But I slaso think politics and economics enter into most decissions as well - they all tend to limit the overall pool we select from. I mihgt prefer the aesthetics of the Jag, but the Honda suits my economics better, but I'll get the green one - that being my aesthetic and thus fashion choice.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

I view fashion as being in it's essence a form of communication...

I forget what movie this was from, but a fashionable character in it said that wearing sweats meant that you were giving up on everything in life. I don't know about that, but I have a favorite sweatshirt at home that I wear almost every day.

[Ponine]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I forget what movie this was from, but a fashionable character in it said that wearing sweats meant that you were giving up on everything in life. I don't know about that, but I have a favorite sweatshirt at home that I wear almost every day.

Mean girls says something similar.

[MouseWife]

How about workout clothes? I wear whatever. They don't look so great, although, I make sure that I match. I haven't upgraded my work out clothes in a couple of years. Just keep washing and wearing. While I do have actual running shorts, sometimes I just wear shorts. And tops, I normally wear t-shirts.

What does that say about me?

Ooo, Mean Girls.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

How about workout clothes? I wear whatever. They don't look so great, although, I make sure that I match. I haven't upgraded my work out clothes in a couple of years. Just keep washing and wearing. While I do have actual running shorts, sometimes I just wear shorts. And tops, I normally wear t-shirts.

What does that say about me?

Ooo, Mean Girls.

I'm with you MW. Workout clothes = yoga pants, sports bra, t-shirt and tennies. Sometimes a sweatshirt if it's cold out.

I laugh (inside) at the women who come in to the gym in full make-up and designer clothes. I'm sorry (not really) but when I work out I don't want to worry about having racoon eyes and foundation smudges. I'm glad I'm confident in my looks and my self-image so I don't need to wear make-up to feel better about myself or to present a more pleasent image to the other people at the gym.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I forget what movie this was from, but a fashionable character in it said that wearing sweats meant that you were giving up on everything in life. I don't know about that, but I have a favorite sweatshirt at home that I wear almost every day.

Damnit - I know that quote - I saw it recently and laughed out loud - it was said about a friend I think