The end of elegant?

What happened to the era of elegance? It seems unfathomable that the most timeless of styles is indeed fading from the horizon of the fashion    industry. To reminisce over years of unadulterated opulence is to realise that there is no longer that sense of intrinsic class in the clothes we now claim are so ‘on trend’. When one stops to observe what is passing them by, there is an undeniable lack of luxury in the apparel surrounding them,
regardless of event or location. Imagination has,
undoubtedly, taken its place; people seem to favour
creativity to the simplistic grace of preceding decades.

It seems plausible that high street fashion is to blame. Products are rushed out in the hope of mimicking the designer styles so consumers can instantly be ‘up-to-date’. Is it the very nature of this that prevents the public from making uninhibited decisions as they have become so dependent on following the crowd? Despite this, designers seem to have made very similar decisions, shifting their classic visions into a much more modern context; echoed in the recent Chanel collections—this brand was once the epitome of unrefined elegance. Although understandable, the adaptation is fundamentally disappointing as iconic glamour is no longer achievable. Even Vogue, the dictator of style has slipped into a persistent attempt to be ‘edgy’. The public seem to be indifferent, willing to allow themselves to be led by who they believe know best. It is perplexing that there is no longer a desire to have the graceful image of sheer sophistication; eccentricity is preferable, as reinforced by Vivienne Westwood and Lulu Guinness.

Another factor is the constraints, imposed by the young, that clothes should be structural and tight fitting. Anything that does not cling to the figure would be wholly unacceptable, irrespective of whether it is tasteful and well designed. Being stylish and beautiful has taken on a new persona in young people where a lack of subtlety is essential.  Inexplicably, times have changed, since feminism resulted in the rejection of ladylike and demure clothing, to a transformation into a less is more principle, dignity seems to have taken a hit. So, at what point will desire return to understated allure? Without question the fluid 'wide leg trouser' suits many more than the 'skinny jeans' phenomenon. It is unclear whether this is proof of less freedom or more; women are now allowed to reveal what they want to reveal, whereas, once upon a time women were confined by social expectation. Contrastingly, it could be considered, women are being forced to wear clothes they are not completely comfortable in order to ‘fit in’. 

Gone are the days when the true symbol of elegance was Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn. The black and white age was awash with poise and exquisitely simple attire. An unpretentious and effortless black dress was enough to make the world gasp in admiration. Since the fifties there has been no decade with the same impenetrable class. A time where fashion could be suggestive but demure. Since then clothing has become all about flaunting your assets and appealing to others in the most undignified of ways. It would be so much more becoming to return to the time when the raising of one eyebrow was the essence of seduction.

Incontestably, times change and dwelling on the past is not considered stimulating so, returning to the age of glamour is unlikely. Maybe, it should be respected that the fashion industry is essentially an ever-changing world, yet, a little reference to the past would surely do no harm. Could it be that in years to come fur stoles and full skirts will be the much coveted look for all those wishing to stay ‘in vogue’?