The Rise & Fall Of The Selfie

by Amanda // January 12, 2018 // Comments off

Last summer, some commentators hinted at the imminent demise of the ‘selfie’, including the ‘Snapchat selfie’ Queen herself, Kim Kardashian.

The truth is, selfies are an unavoidable presence in our lives, worshipped by some and barely understood by others. I am a secret sucker for a selfie. My excuse is that I just don’t trust anyone to take the “right” picture. So I do it myself.

Selfies are a cultural phenomenon dominating the social conversation. They involve significant time, deleting and retaking pictures to ensure perfection before being uploaded. At their best, selfies can create ‘front cover’ looks for us ordinary folk.

It’s no secret why selfies are popular: people love attention, people like to look attractive, and people like looking at attractive people. However, it took a while for selfies to become such a hot topic.

The history of the selfie, according to the BBC, kicked off when the word appeared for the first time back in 2002, after a man snapped a picture of facial injuries he had suffered following falling down drunk, and posted them to an Australian forum.

From there, the expression was used sporadically on photo-sharing websites until the advent of the Hashtag Revolution, which accompanied Twitter and Instagram. However, selfies didn’t begin to get much interest online until 2013.

Snapchat, one of the largest catalysts for the selfie explosion, caught on in 2012 and kept growing from there. It seems like you can’t go anywhere now without witnessing a girl taking a picture of herself.

2014, marked the peak of the selfie Era. “Selfie” was declared Word Of The Year by the Oxford Dictionary, after the Oscars, when Ellen Degeneres and Bradley Cooper took THAT pic for Twitter. But the general rule of thumb is that once a trend becomes too mainstream, it has officially run its course.

Since 2014 we’ve begun to see the dark side of selfies, from a stupid bank robber, being arrested after taking a selfie of himself with a gun, to being inundated with millions of Kardashian pictures with bunny ears and cute freckles and noses.

Kim Kardashian herself announced the demise of the selfie last year, and gradually they are becoming rather uncool. The new social media “cool” is location shots or, if you insist on being in the picture, somebody taking the shot for you. The old fashioned way.

Selfie-distance close-up are shots don’t provide much scope for any one photo to look much different from the next, and the aim of social media is to claim your own unique social space. Whilst they might not die a death completely, keep an eye out in 2018 for photos with a more exciting degree of content variety.

RIP outstretched arms, hello scenery.

A Groom’s Alternative To The Morning Suit This wedding Season

by Amanda // June 19, 2015 // Comments off

It’s Wedding Season Guys.

There’s no turning back now for grooms. The venue’s booked, the invites are out, and it’s dawning on you that you’re about to make what is arguably the biggest commitment a fella can make in their lifetime.

So, you’d bloody better look good whilst doing it.

Given that you likely already have enough things to lose sleep over, I thought I’d branch out briefly into the masculine world with a guide guys out on what wear if you want to look distinctly cool, on-trend and away from the traditional top-hat ‘n’ tails or ‘Morning Suit’ image. Which, let’s face it, is a little dull.

But before we start, a word of advice from the experts concerning the importance of fit: “A well-fitting suit can hide a multitude of sins,” says the Man at Moss Bros. “Even in the case of men who are more portly, or who have ‘grown into themselves’.” As with tailoring, good fit is paramount, so regardless of which option below you go for, you’ll want to ensure you’re meticulously measured before trying anything on.

Here’s my guide to the coolest suits for you trendy bearded and non-bearded hipsters.

The Tuxedo

Not just an evening-appropriate option, the tuxedo sits somewhere between the grandeur of the morning suit and the comparatively casual feel of the lounge suit. What’s more, you’re bound to get plenty of post-wedding wear out of a quality tux. It’ll quickly become your go-to for everything from a New Year’s Eve ball to a work-related awards ceremony. So, it’s best to cough up and buy, rather than hire.

While black is the classic choice (and likely your best bet if you want to wear your tux for a whole manner of other occasions), midnight blue is a slightly more stand-out option, especially if it complements other hues in the wedding colour scheme.

The Lounge Suit

If the idea of donning a morning coat or tux makes you shudder, then turn to less formal types of tailoring instead. While a wedding is very much your day for wearing what you want, there are a few options that are so ‘well-suited’ to the occasion.

First up, you need to decide on style and cut. A slim-fit, single-breasted two-piece is a slick and contemporary choice for the groom who wants to keep things simple, but still look exceptionally sharp. However, classic-fitting double-breasted or three-piece suits are also worth considering – especially if you’re looking for something that makes a statement but is still resolutely timeless.

The Smart-Casual Alternative

Impromptu wedding in Vegas? Beach wedding in Bali? Sometimes formal tailoring just isn’t required, so why not loosen the tie knot a little?

Now, we’re not suggesting you rock up to one of the most momentous occasions of your life in a pair of distressed jeans, a fraying T-shirt and beanie, but there are plenty more laid-back alternatives to traditional groomswear. These are typically made up of a combination of the following elements: smartly-fitting chinos or casual trousers, a long-sleeved button-down shirt, and a blazer.

Mix and match classic hues such as navy, black and grey with lighter neutrals like beige and stone and you’re on to a winning look that’s slightly more relaxed but still smart enough to take your vows in.

Whether it’s the budget or potentially making a serious style blunder that you’re concerned about, the above advice should see you look just right for the all-important rites.

Now you can turn your attention and energy to the honeymoon.

Mmmm… what to wear on your honeymoon…? I feel another feature coming on.

uk.tommy.com/Official

www.reiss.com/

The Rave Revival..

by Amanda // October 31, 2014 // Comments off

It was only a matter of time, but fashion has rewound full circle back to the early 90’s.

Dungarees, slip dresses and neon brights, ever-present in the late eighties and early nineties, are here to dazzle us once again. Grab your glow sticks, because designers are bringing RAVE back to your wardrobe in a big way. From club-style to couture at Versace, to old skool trance on the street, the vibe is very much “big fish, little fish, cardboard box”.

If who’ve seen YouTube footage of early nineties raves you’ll be familiar with the defining image of the era, the smiley face. But equally important were cartoon patterns, crop tops, bumbags and gloves. And of course, entire weekends without sleep.

So how do we do rave now? This generation-old iconic clubland movement has been enthusiastically revamped for 2024 and beyond. During NYC’s week’s fashion week, the creative directors of Marc by Marc Jacobs cemented club style’s status well into next season via their giant Rave Runway and DIY aesthetic.

The smiley T-shirt and tie-dyed bucket hat has been mashed with Chicago house and Manchester rave references. Neon mini skirts, cropped jackets and athletic baseball caps are here again.

With a big snare roll I bring you the alternative ‘Rave Wear For Grown Ups 2024’.

www.karenmillen.com/‎ leads the way with the neon skirt and www.smiley.com has all the statement rave tees and jackets you’re after. All at purse friendly prices.

Smiley Sweatshirt and Jacket from £25 at www.smiley.com

www.karenmillen.com/‎ has THE neon skirt at £38 and www.smiley.com has THE statement Rave Jeans at £25.

Now, put your hands in the air and Pump up the Jam.

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