They would lead to conversation.

Unless you want to be the next Jodie Marsh that is.

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As a present from the norweigans

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BrownGymPants

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And hope for the best

Emo, Rocker, Chav, Wannabe, Yah, Goth, Indie, Geek, Gansta, Extremist, Blah, Blah, Blah. The list really could go on. For those of you that have not yet caught on to what I’m talking about, this is a list of style cliques that I’m sure you could recognise yourself belonging to.

What I’m finding at the moment, especially when it comes to my wardrobe, is that the line between style tribes is becoming increasingly thin.

If I wear hoop earrings, does that make me a Chav?

If I wear Ugg boots, does that make me a Yah?

If I wear a shirt, does that make me a Geek?

If I paint my nails black, do I then belong to the Emo crowd, sitting around all day listening to My Chemical Romance and dying my hair a matching shade?

Nope, nope, nope and definitely not.

I really do admire those of you out there who are able to stick to the rules of your ‘gang’ and flaunt the appropriate uniform off like there really is no tomorrow. But when it comes to me I tent to throw on whatever’s clean and hope for the best.

The only time a man should wear a skirt is to a stag do

In the news today there was an article about a Brazilian student who had been briefly expelled from university. No, she hadn’t plagiarised her final year dissertation or defaced a picture of her schools principle; she had worn a skirt which was deemed too short by university officials.

Ok, so, they wanted to discipline said student, but kicking her out of uni? Common! I understand that the Brazilian Education Authorities want to show that their institution is a place full of respectable, serious and ambitious students and that they would like them to represent their establishment in an appropriate way. But university is a place to broaden the mind, find one’s voice and gain life experiences: free thinking is encouraged…self expression should be too.

So what’s considered an inappropriate skirt length? When I was in primary school I was given into trouble for having my skirt sit two inches above my knee, then strangely, when I was in secondary school my skirt got longer and I gained self respect for myself. Jokes. Obvs.

Perhaps there ought to be clear, easy-to-follow rules about skirts, like:

O. If the total length of the skirt is less than five inches it is then, in fact, counted as a belt. (Take note, Jordan).

O. Suitable underwear should be worn in case of blustery days or trips and falls (if the skirt sits above the knee).

O. Floor length skirts may only be worn by tall people.

O. The only time a man should wear a skirt is to a stag do.

That's the risk I'll have to take

Don’t you just love it whena topic sparks debate. From serious matters like politics and global warming to flippant questions like ‘what should I have for dinner?’ (Falafal or Quorn) and ‘which boy shall I fancy this week? (that would be telling), its great to have an opinion and discuss said opinion.

Since purchasing The Jacket (see below) a few weeks ago, I’ve had some very varied conversations regarding vintage. So let’s consider it shall we?

I’ll admit myself that it took me a while to be persuaded to ‘like’ what I commonly thought of as someone else’s cast-off’s, but I soon came round to the idea of wearing something with a rich history behind it, thinking up the stories it’s heard and the places it must have seen over the years. Vintage is generally regarded as a piece of clothing or jewellery, a pair of shoes or an accessory made between 1930 and 1980. Anything before then is antique and anything after then is retro.

There are so many reasons as to why vintage has suddenly become a trend is its own right though. Firstly, the environment and economy go hand in hand with the advantages of investing in vintage. It’s promoting the recycling and the reuse of something that is almost certainly now a one off. You can pretty much guarantee it has not been made by a five year old sitting in a dark basement for eighteen hours a day and who has ten thousand more to finish off by the end of the week either. The quality and craftsmanship is usually exquisitely executed and pronounced and you’re probably not going to bump into anyone wearing the same thing in your local on a Friday night.

I think you get the picture? I’m obviously pro-vintage. I’m not obsessed by any means though; you’ll never catch me in something that resembles my Grandmothers nightdress just because it’s vintage. Those that I buy blend into my wardrobe in the form of a jacket, cardigan or bag, shining out as happy and as beautiful as the first day I hung them in there. My friend agrees, “I love the thrill of finding something completely unique”. Me too. I also love the compliments perfect strangers pay me when I flaunt my latest find.

However, I also have friends who utterly oppose the idea of wearing something not ‘new’: “what if someone has died in it though?” Well, that’s the risk I’ll have to take.