My first memory of caring about fashion came as a kid in the ’60s, watching the variety shows so popular in their day. I particularly remember “Laugh In” with its garish mod looks. I had my mom make me a Halloween costume of paisley bell-bottoms, a long black wig, orange headband, pink oxford button down and homemade apple seed necklace. The only distraction was my black grandpa bifocals. They screamed nerd, but I didn’t care. I felt so cool. Is this typical for a 9-year-old boy from rural south central Wisconsin? Maybe not, but it is perfect for someone whose career has taken this turn. I have always known that clothes may not make the man or woman, but they certainly help.
Today, nearing 50, I understand the power of presentation. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned over the years as an observer and fashion anthropologist, working in this world and learning to appreciate both the preposterousness and practicality of it all. I hope to inform and inspire all who read this blog to look at the familiar in a new way and to look at the new in an inquisitive way. Just like art, you don’t have to like it or even want to wear it to appreciate fashion design in its purest form. One of my pet peeves is people who say, “I don’t know anything about fashion. I just wear what’s comfortable.” That’s disastrous.
For instance, what happened to event dressing? What we wore used to signify where we were going and who we were seeing. Now the idea of casual is entirely misconstrued. One Christmas, I found myself across the table from my adult nephew who thought it was appropriate to wear a wrinkled t-shirt, watch cap, torn, ill-fitting jeans and Doc Martens. Yikes! This is code for, “Why bother?” I know I must sound like some sort of curmudgeon, but a little respect for the occasion is in order across the board in our society. The idea that there is no other way to do a casual look than a T-shirt and baggy jeans leaves so much to be desired.
When I was a young whippersnapper, we had our Sunday best, which for boys was a shirt, tie, jacket and dress slacks. For girls, it was a dress or skirt and blouse. This was a uniform for social events that were not picnics. I’m not saying that this is for everyone, but it would be nice to see people put forth minimum effort into what they wear when attending family functions, like Christmas dinner, or somewhat more formal get-togethers. May I suggest dark denim jeans and a nice fitted sweater or jacket for both sexes? Add a cool scarf and some great footgear, and you’re good to go. It is still casual but seems a bit more fashion-forward. Check out examples from NYC Fashion Week: On Jay Alexander, from “America’s Next Top Model,” a scarf and zipper 
hoodie dress up distressed jeans. He also sports great shoes and a man bag. On fashion designer Charlotte Ronson are layered pullovers, a scarf, leather jacket, shades and awesome shoes. On Corbin Bleu from “High School Musical,” a V-neck tee, distressed jeans, leather jacket and necklace. On Penn Badgley from “Gossip Girl,” a tailored sport coat with classic white tee and jeans. No one is too dressed 
up, but they all look appropriately casual and put-together. If this seems like too much effort, I understand. But seriously, can we step away from XXL T-shirts and mom jeans? I never fault people for giving up. Instead, I like to coax people to at least try to bring out what’s already there.
Sometimes critical fashion advice is important, and sometimes simply stepping beyond your comfort level is all that’s 
needed to transform into the person you want to be and, more importantly, should be. In this blog, I will never claim to know it all, but I will share with you the rules for adopting a new or renewed style savvy. I also promise to be the person who says what everyone is thinking but afraid to say. After all, what is a good blog without a little dish?
Fashion, especially when times are tough, is a way to feel good about who we are as people and as a society. I challenge people to examine the way we represent our city in the way that we dress. Let’s step it up, people! Please?
I always welcome any questions and encourage you to contact me at bjorn@milwaukeemagazine.com. Tune in next week for our “Mirror Awards,” as in who should have looked in the mirror before they left the house!
