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Will you be embarrassed in 10 years time by what you are wearing today?

Will you be embarrassed in 10 years time by what you are wearing today?
Carly Jacobs

I have been feeling really old recently. As in ‘Remember Blossom? And Fraggle Rock? And cassette tapes? And Slap bands?’ kind of old. This feeling is only exacerbated by the ladies of the blogosphere who seem to have a 90’s obsession going on that puts me in danger of repeating fashion mistakes that I only recently forgave myself for. Fops and Dandies has me wanting to wear daisy prints and chokers and Fashion Toast has me digging my Doc Martins and pleated kilt out of the cupboard in a tribute to Cory from Empire Records. I recently wrote about 90’s fashion in my Beverly Hills 90210 post and laughingly joked about mini-back packs and matt lipstick while secretly I was wondering where I could purchase some cakey mulberry lip colour.

This got me thinking – If someone took a picture of what I was wearing right now and showed it to me in 10 years time would I be embarrassed? Or tempted to revisit?

I found this little gem that may answer my question. This timetable was created by James Laver and I found it in a book called the Language of Clothes by Alison Lurie. ‘Laver’s Law’ supports the theory that the same outfit will be…

Indecent –       10 years before its time

Shameless –    5 years before its time

Daring –          1 year before its time

Smart –           —————

Dowdy –         1 year after its time

Hideous –      10 years after its time

Ridiculous –   20 years after its time

Amusing –     30 years after its time

Quaint –         50 years after its time

Charming –    70 years after its time

Romantic –     100 years after its time

Beautiful –      150 years after its time

This timetable is in reference to a whole outfit dedicated to a particular era, not single articles of the trend. This timetable is basically saying that every outfit will at some point be considered beautiful and ugly. It’s the year that people are viewing it in that makes the difference. So what I am wearing today will be regarded as ‘hideous’ in ten years time. Excellent…

Just for fun lets see what everyone thought of this lovely outfit of Madonna’s from 1985. And what they will think of it in the future…

 

  

1975 – Indecent

1980 – Shameless

1984 – Daring

1985 – Smart

1986 – Dowdy

1995 – Hideous

2005 – Ridiculous

2015 – Amusing

2035 – Quaint

And so on…

So according to this formula it’s best to be either right in fashion all the time with out ever letting yourself slip for even one year or you risk being ‘dowdy’. The other option is to only dress according to the fashions of 50 or more years ago. Otherwise you will be ‘ridiculous’ or ‘hideous’ or the very patronising ‘amusing’.

It’s a pretty nifty little code and it makes me giggle to think that in 2135 Madonna’s ensemble will be regarded as ‘romantic’.

What are your thoughts ladies? Do you think Madonna’s outfit is fugly whether it’s 1985 or 2035? Or that there is some merit to the madness of Laver’s Law? And do you give a toss either way?

Love Lady Smaggle

xxx

 

 

 

7 Comments

  1. Natasha 16 years ago

    I kind of think the outfit is awesome circa now. Maybe without the gloves or religious jewelry, though.

  2. Lady Smaggle 16 years ago

    Natasha – I actually like the gloves! They are kind of hard to pull off. I also think she looks pretty awesome.

    Fifi – I know I am such an old lady. It’s terrible. All this vintage 90’s stuff but I guess the early 90’s were almost 20 years ago so it might be ligit to have a revival.

    Ivy – Me too! Generally I don’t give a toss what anyone says about fashion and style but it’s always cool consider some aspects of it!

    Na – Have met this fabulous dress? It sounds right up my alley…

  3. Fifi 16 years ago

    I have to say I kind of agree, maybe not all those things together, but I am actually in favour of the lace gloves in particular, and the oversized religious jewellry…

    On a slightly related note, I have been disturbed to discover that there are people out there now classing 90s fashion as ‘vintage’… this sunglasses site advertises ‘vintage 70s, 80s and 90s sunglasses’ http://www.giantvintage.com – it makes me feel REALLY old to find that the things I wore in my SECOND DECADE of paying attention to fashion trends are now considered ‘vintage’. Fetch me a walking frame & some false teeth…

  4. Ivy 16 years ago

    I agree with that little time table – it works! Although Madonna’s outfit is kinda trendy now, isn’t it? Personally I don’t like the hair though.. but I actually own two pairs of lace gloves and a stack of headbands… But ultimately, I don’t give a toss lol. Let’s not think about it too much otherwise we’ll drive ourselves mad! (Or maybe I’m speaking for myself here). As long as you feel comfortable and cool, you’re gonna look good. I say bring on the chokers and doc martins!! 😛

  5. princessnaea 16 years ago

    um. I’m wearing biker boots, a little black sailor/french schoolgirl style dress over a turtleneck, a braid, and my white trash bomber jacket. I’m embarrassed *today*. But I woke up feeling both french schoolgirlish and ‘Jenny from the block’ so the mysterious Piscean waters dictated my clothing for me.
    also I love the fact that Madge is wearing both a crucifix AND a Star of David. that is religious pluralism writ large!

  6. Lady Smaggle 16 years ago

    Na – Lame. Were you wearing stockings? Because if you rub lotion on your stockings it kills the static. It sounds weird but it works.

  7. princessnaea 16 years ago

    yeah you’ve seen it. Black, cotton/poly blend, short-sleeved, to the knee, with a square neck and a little waist-tie thing. It cost me $8 at brand depot and it’s actually not a very good dress. I was uncomfortable all day yesterday cos it kept riding up my legs while I walked.

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