'Glamish': Why Does Fall Fashion Have Us Buttoned Up Like The Pennsylvania Dutch?

The economy is in dire straits. The mortgage crisis is a crisis. We're a nation at war. You would think we might hope to cheer each other up by wearing clothes that screamed, "my subprime mortgage has me putting needles in my eyes but my colorful outfits and angular necklines are keeping me from offing myself." But we don't. This fall designers seem to believe that our outfits should echo these solemn times.

It's time to kiss Irwin Shaw's girls in their summer dresses goodbye. Skin is out of fashion. Long sleeve white shirts buttoned so high and tight that they may cause strangulation are in. So are skirts that barely show half a calf and pants with bottoms wide enough for a child to hide in.

The look being pushed is Amish with a glamorous twist. Let's call it Glamish. What sounds like an oxymoron has been declared not so by influential designers. Ad campaigns from Prada to Furla to Banana Republic show women in clothes that scream: "Banish the BMW, give me a horse and buggy." "Head-to-toe heavy wool," is the trend says the September Harper's Bazaar. This season is not for "escapist fantasy," says the fashion issue of New York magazine. It is "sober, serious, head-down, coolly remote."

I'm certainly not craving hotpants and halters in October, but color and clothes cut in a way so that our skin can absorb a hint of vitamin D from time to time would be nice. But, alas, the zeitgeist of our times is currently a sober one: The fashion czars are pushing a monochromatic palette that calls for a return of Calvin Klein minimalism and a penchant to button up like Hester Prynne.

I blame the economy, the war, homeless polar bears, and the rest of our era's tear-jerkers for the popularity of Glamish, but I might add the FLDS polygamist sect to the list of things to blame.

First it was the hair, the intriguing pouf that the FLDS polygamist sect women wore with their pastel dresses that made a fashion splash. As the bouffant hairdos graced the covers of newspapers, hipper-than-thou women embraced the Glamish coif. Perhaps it was predictable that Glamish fashion would trickle down to our wardrobes, too.

My guess is the apron or the bonnet is not going to make it as daywear but who knows? Maybe it will be the next big thing--the wrestling shoe, the bandage dress of Fall 2008. This season's accessories do help put the Glam in Glamish but large baubles and a pair of platform Louboutins are not enough to brighten up the city streets.

I for one refuse to let Glamish close in on my closet. I'm happy to cover my shoulders and thighs when the leaves start to fall, but my neck might like to feel the Indian summer breeze on it now and again.

Follow Karin Tanabe on Twitter: www.twitter.com/snobbytanabe

Comments

[bointreau]

Why? I say why not??

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/36581/thumbs/s-GLAMISH-large.jpg

Variety is the spice of life. These glamish fashions are ultra feminine and you can see how graceful the models appear in those garments. No one need be a slave to fashion trends or stylism. You are always free to wear clothes from any part of he world and each will bring out your beauty in its own way.

I say, GO FOR IT!

[DarthVector]

Can't agree more, for different reasons.

I've been wearing Amish influenced clothes (dark suits, broad black felt hats, plain dark shirts) for the last three years. I once lived in Wisconsin, and the fascination with an alien culture turned into fashion sense.

I like sober clothes, and I like avoiding the craziness of labels and clothes for clothes' sake. It's nice to wake up and know what one's face to the world will be. I'm always dressed for the occasion. Plus I'm easy to find in a crowd. :^)

Young men in my home town have started wearing hats like me. I can only hope it doesn't become a craze; this is a personal statement for me, not a fashion whim.

[CZHA]

I rather like the idea of clothes both roomy enough to encompass my thermal underwear and long enough to provide some warmth. I'm looking forward to lowered thermostats and high heating fuel costs.

I'll gladly forego skimpy clothes until warmer weather makes them reasonable.

[Sandlerge]

I truly wonder if this could be taken further to explore the other side of this new fringe of fashion called
"Hasidalous". Those truly in the know under stand the Amish and the Dutch have been arm wrestling over the beard and bonnet look for years. Maybe we can yarmulke together forever?

MANISCHEWITZ!!!!

[Fudgefase]

I'll still wear my high heels. Don't care what fashion says!

[ilovemydoggy]

I like the funky look. I always suspected the Penn Dutch and Puritans were in private (and monogamously) passionate people.

Baby boomer views: http://www.Vaboomer.com

[athenasword]

I think the point here is, why the buttoning up and covering up? What does it reflect? It's been a while since I read it, but I'm reminded of a chapter from the book "Four Furtures for Women; Scenario Planning", called "Backlash". In this particular scenario, fashion begins to reflect a country that is dominated by the right-wing, moral agenda. Burquas on the runway, people admiring how "chaste" and "Innocent" women look; applauded for being subservient and modest. That chapter gave me pause.

BTW - please don't pick on the Amish. They are a sweet, peaceful people who live by their beliefs.

[Ingar]

It's not only a response to the war, the economy, the somber state of the world that has brought millions of apathetic young things out into the light. It's also young Hollywood, lead by the scantily-clad Paris Hilton et al, who are practically forcing designers to turn in the other direction. No, women don't want to have to wear barbie clothes and baubles to get attention. Maybe they don't want attention at all. Maybe that's the point. Maybe there are other things to think about.

But comfort is good. I would button up all the way in a tight Winston-Churchill inspired shirt, and still wear pants. I'd go for the button up and no pants. That's the way.

This movement has been coming for a long time. Just look at all the unisex labels that are popping up.

[Chatto]

Thankfully, another trait of American women is not caring what more repressive cultures think of us...that'­s the whole point of not living in a repressive culture -- you know, taking advantage of the LACK of repression.

[Chatto]

Oh, this is just the mid-80s all over again -- I was an executive back then, and I have suits from the era that I could now fashion into a sofa covering (and I was a size 8). Hang in there, and by next year, you'll see the return of late-80s "BIG HAIR"!

[Synoia]

What? Don't you understand? When McCain & Palin win, this will be the new fashion. As usual the fashion world is way ahead of the rest of us.

[macintoshsauce]

Umm... That would be Pennsylvania Deutsch. Not Dutch.

[antaeus]

Um . . . custom and traditional usage trump pedantry. We don't refer to the Boston /k/eltics, and we don't say say Pennsylvania "Deutsch." At least when you're from Pennsylvania, you don't.

[Soundofthunder]

Then don't dress like that. Dress however you want. Still, I imagine if some designer told women to wear a burlap sack and strap goat cheese to their feet, women everywhere would do it.

SOT

[hypnotoad72]

"Dress however you want".

Until individuality is overrode by the herd principle so people "choose" to dress and act like everyone else.

Hippies and thugs not excepted; for they always looked similar too.

Odd, that...

[musicka]

The Amish don't use buttons, they use straight pins, but I appreciate the humor of the article.

[FrancescaItaliana]

Another fascinating report by the always astute columnist, Karin Tanabe! Maybe this fashion trend of imitating the simpler ways of the Amish can arouse some people to read up on their beliefs and the way they live. They are pacifists and shun modern technology. A life of agriculture and the warmth that a tight community can give should not be dismissed. If we didn't have to follow the quirks and expenses of fashion, we could be more content!