The Skinny Fashion Special

Fashion gets a bad name. Style, fashion's more reliable older brother, is usually thought to be more important. But, for one thing, style is very hard to define. The best advice I've had on style is simple: wear the things you like, all the time. In practice this works pretty well: you don't need to spend long getting dressed in the morning, and you can always walk around feeling comfortable, at least in your outfit. But the implied message here is rather negative: don't feel the need to change. Fashion, in one of its best senses, is an affirmation of the need to embrace change, to live with change, to make change part of how we present ourselves to the world.

Another criticism directed at fashion, recently at least, is that of a lack of big new ideas. But fashion is supposed to reflect the atmosphere and zeitgeist of its time, so isn't it appropriate that in an age crying out for big ideas (forgive me if I don't think social networking counts) there aren't many to be found in fashion? Instead, The Skinny Fashion Special 2008 is all about new ways to wear existing styles: punks in tweed suits, girls in guys' skater gear, and retro styles as lounge-wear for the home. I hope you feel inspired by our recommendations, and I see some Victoriana club kids the next time I'm out. Oh wait, I think I already did...

For The Skinny's awesome three shoots, hit the links below. [RJ Thomson]