I was (somewhat) minding my business in the bathroom at a party, when I overheard someone embarrassingly lamenting to their friends; “I’m wearing color and everyone else is wearing black.” And indeed, they were right. Myself included, I’d approximate somewhere around 92.587% of partygoers garb was the literal absence of color. In fact, I’m wearing the unofficial shade of techno at this very moment. So this piece serves as a reminder for myself more than anything.
There’s certainly nada, zip, zilch wrong with dressing in austere and minimal attire. Whether those characteristics apply to chromatics, form, texture, trend- or all of the above. My closet is chock full of garments that can barely be distinguished from one another- even in the light of day. And just trying to find matching socks can be a fool's errand.
You might not give a flying f*ck about fashion. Which is more than fair. So unless you’re feeling it, there’s no need to drape yourself in rainbow for the rave or saunter to the grocery store dressed for a Paris runway. Whether your style skews blending in or sticking out, what you wear isn't who you are. So in no way do I mean to knock on anyone’s fashion predilections. To each their own as always. But think about it. Isn’t it odd that in a world brimming with a plethora of personalities and opinions, that so many folks often end up in uniform.
If you're someone for whom doom and gloom has got you down. I feel you. But I also see you- and perhaps we see each other. You know when you glance at someone wearing something whimsical, or perhaps just not stylistically the status quo? I don’t know about you- but for me, the world is slightly less bleak, if only momentarily, with a cornucopia of eye candy in my line of sight.
And given that the world pretty much blows right about now, mixing it up rather than matching with monotony may do some good to lift your spirits. Especially for those at the precipice of long seasons, shorter days and even colder nights to come. And by no means is this meant to be a one size fits all remedy for any type of malady. But dressing the part just might help you feel the part. Because what makes you feel good is clutch to having it in the bag.
The implied and/or codified nightlife dress code can sometimes be served with a heavy dose of bullshittery. And navigating that is way easier said than done. Especially with some of the door policies out there- which to be fair is the venue’s prerogative. So bravo to anyone stepping out with gusto. Which might actually go a long way in getting you into the party. Because from what I’m told, confidence is a hefty part of the getting in equation.
And why and when did noir become the unofficial cool color du jour of nightlife? I’m not a fashion historian- so you’ll find no answer here. But I do know that there are umpteen people who have no need for this scene to-be-seen fashion memo because they’re busy writing new ones. Those whose vibrancy- regardless of their lewk, punctuates dark and foggy dancefloors the world over. You know the type, they’re easier to find than Waldo.
I’m certainly not implying that anyone needs a new wardrobe or anything at all. But perhaps pick a moment to punctuate bleakness with some out of pocket brightness from the depths of your own closet. Be brash and boldly go where you haven’t gone before. And then lewk and see how you feel amidst a sea of sameness.