' Fashion' language

[Mendi]

Flicking through Grazia which arrived today because my ex-boyfriend has clearly not realised he's still paying the subscription which just renewed.

WTF is 'a knit'? Is it a jumper? A cardi? A sleeveless top? Or is the only thing that matters the fact that it was 'a Celine knit'?

While I'm on the subject, what is 'a trouser'?? Just one leg?

BBB How about rocking normal for Spring 13? Style maven Garlic () showcases directional austerity chic. "Think eco!" she enthuses. Totally today, Garlic teams worn florals with relaxed leggings, topped by a distressed yoga pant and an ironic vintage knit. Popping magenta socks and wristwarmers, this look gets edgy with a gothic boot and oversized leather jacket. Smeared makeup adds apocalyptic charm [see next page].

Hair & makeup: Pillow.
Location: Everywhere.
Clothes: Model's own.
Accessories: De Beers (well, you have to fluff the advertisers.)

JumpHer - I agree there are some anti-feminist pieces (I mean journalistic pieces not skirts!) in it, often as part of a two-way debate. (When Lowri turner was doing them - OMG). And obviously it is full of guff about high heels - it's not Andrea Dworkin. But the opinion pieces and asides very often highlight or speak up against inequality and raise feminist questions.

This week's is about Lena Dunham being criticised for having her character puling a good-looking man in Girls. The writer points out that the same thing is seen as fine when it's a man pulling a more beautiful woman.

"Why is is such a transgression of the natural order to see a couple in which a woman is punching above her weight? Especially when we have no issue when a guy with a face like a bag of spanners bags himself a gilded goddess." (and so on)

Of course that's not incredibly profound oscure feminism, it's an everyday observation, but Grazia does it over and over - points out when the playing field isn't equal between the genders and asks why. I actually think that's an important force for feminist awareness being consumed by a mass-market audience. It always tells women "Don't take your role for granted - ask if you're getting equal treatment, and if not, demand it."

xpost, Bigtoes. I am so not fighting you for that column! FGS, don't try being feminist, though ... I'll do that one instead!

Red attempts a feminist stance quite often. It flunks quite often, too, but so does Marie Claire. Oh, well.

It is NOT comparable with the mail!

(I don't work for Grazia btw - but I like it, and reading the DM bears no comparison. It drips misogyny.)

"Why is is such a transgression of the natural order to see a couple in which a woman is punching above her weight? Especially when we have no issue when a guy with a face like a bag of spanners bags himself a gilded goddess."

Ha. I rather like this! Maybe I've underestimated Grazia.

Should have used "bags" twice in one sentence, though.

Oh, just checked and the dual "bags" was me!! It was "lands himself" Typing too fast.

And 'a wedge'?

Where I come from, a wedge is when one's pants are annoyingly lodged within one's bum crack.

What the fuck is it with the use of the word "story" as well.

"yes Im on a total nautical story"

"monchrome story"

"vintage story"

Grrrrrrrrrr

And "Sport Luxe"

Gold track suit top. Lovely!

"Sport Luxe" - Gold track suit top.

Sound like they're channelling Jimmy Savile

Actually "luxe" is one word that does get on my tit ends.

Hmm. Grazia and, er, feminism. Nope. Not making the connection at all.

Bibibrocolli, You gave yourself away with the use of the colour " khaki" do you mean beige? :) not sure if khaki is green or beige tbh...

I like looking at fashions but the words used really make me cringe, it seems so teenage and forced. I have just remembered another word that annoys me when used for selling wildly expensive stuff that is handed out for free to celebs to make you want it " aspirational"

I'll be waiting to see "Booble" in the next fashion mag.

That's my new word for today. QueenBee is on to something there.

I wear a mixture of high street and vintage.

Old clothes and new, in other words, like everyone else.

Sorry LadyBigToes, I still disagree! It's always articles like this that put women on the back foot - 'Lena Durham has been criticised' and then goes on about it. It's the exact same technique as the Mail - faux shock at an opinion, gleefully expressed. When I say they're from the same stable, I mean they literally are the same publishers - they often share stories. Their obsession with J Aniston is entirely because she is a childless unmarried woman who they want to have the happy ending every woman apparently wants - a wedding and a baby. And every single week they have trolling articles designed to rile up the readership in defence of their own gender - this week? 'Sex? Not before I know his credit rating!' Last week? 'Why is being an unmarried mother still a taboo?' And don't get me started on their constant blame (along with most of the mainstream media) of Rihanna for getting herself beaten up, the silly slut and how she is duty bound to not go back to him despite the fact it takes a woman on average 7 beatings before she leaves an abusive relationship.

Two weeks ago? An interview with Yvette Cooper with the title 'if Ed demanded dinner at six he'd starve' - why are they even talking about it?! Just to remind us what most women do and how it's so, like, weird that she's a senior politician. Every day on MN I read of countless couples where the man cooks and it's just not a biggie, there's just no excuse for continually trotting out cliches.

It's just all so negative, reminding women of their place in the world, encouraging us to judge each other, bitchiness, jealousy.

I love the fashion, but really detest its editorial stance. It does look like feminism, I agree, but if you look at any of their non-fashion articles they're all the same, posing supposedly feminist questions that are about 40 years out of date.

(Sorry for getting on a downer, having a crap day and not feeling v lighthearted!)

I hate all of these with a passion - so much so that I've pretty much given up on fashion reading fashion magazines and blogs. I get most of my inspiration from here these days.

My pet hate is 'all about' as in 'this season it's all about '.

I simply cannot abide the vacuous term "working that look' or 'rocking that look' aaaargh!!!
The ludicrous use of the singular - as outlined by many other MN'ers - the smokey eye, the red lip, the jean, the opaque tight etc etc makes me want to scream.
And don't even get me started on the ghastly and much over used 'luxe' violently voms
vintage too, what's bloody wrong with second hand, ffs??
Fashion writing is full of pretentious twaddle. Bah, got that off my chest.

Someone at J Crew has been listening to you lot!

An ad pop up has just come onto my PC as I was looking at another site.

I give you.......

'Housing the finest selection of well-curated, vintage inspired wares'

'well-curated, vintage-inspired wares' - what are they selling? Amphorae? Greek serving plates?

It's industry jargon that you would never have come across if it wasn't for the incestuous relationship between industry and press.

I'd never dream of saying colourway in day to day life but I'd use it if I was in industry iyswim.

IMNSHO the press have way to much influence on the industry, take, for example bloody capes. Anna Wintour, for some goddess forsaken reason, loves them - so every so often the press rave about them and normal people look at them and collectively say NO! They are due next year or the year after to make a brief come back.

Don'tGetMeStartedOnBodyShapeTiggaxx

I give you:
Sparkly and edgy, this would look great with a classic shirt or worn as a collar over a simple knit.

"Achingly cool"