trendy life

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I was scrolling through an online shop for a new pair of winter boots, and I saw the most stunning pair ever. They were just what I wanted in a shoe, but… They were “worn black”.

I noticed that a lot of those boots, leather things, and even bags come in a specific style/color called washed or worn. I also noticed bags made with maximalist accessories to recreate what’s called the “frazzled English woman” and Jane Birkin’s famously messy bag.

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Aren’t you supposed to break in your own shoes, wear them and like them so much that they become so worn the color starts fading, and there’s a bunch of scratches all over? Like that one pair of heeled ankle boots I had once, wore them for years, and loved them to ruin? Ahh, I miss that pair!

And aren’t you supposed to have little trinkets and keychains you collected over time and are your mandatory fidget thing in your bag, or a scarf or a hairclip you won’t wear right now, so you quickly strap it on the bag strap?

What used to be a lifestyle and a personal expression turned into a pre-made, carefully curated trend.

Even the other day, when I was going through my weekly what-do-I-do-with-my-life ordeal and trying to figure out how to turn my life upside down, and for the better, the first thing that lay itself out was the fashion and aesthetic makeover. Like, you have to put on a costume first and fake the life you want to live, and then later you might figure things out. Or not. But the makeover needs to happen and be carefully planned.

Now, how did I switch from fashion trends to lifestyles and choices? Well, I just think that when you are looking for a life makeover, what’s always presupposed is that you need a fashion makeover, like in all those movies we romanticized. But they actually conditioned us into believing that’s all a woman would do. And suddenly, you found your life’s purpose. You look pretty.

Anyway, back to the fashion trends. It’s a symptom of losing the art of living. It feels like we are just cosplaying life at this point. And all I wanted was a pair of boots I could wear until the soles started coming off.

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