The UK is the king of the high street. Fact. Tourists and locals alike flock into
London daily to visit its retail behemoths looking for a cheap thrill. But are they
really as fabulous as they seem?
Sure these giant fashion emporiums, which creep into every available retail space,
provide fun, affordable fashion. But itsn't it all, just a bit, well... blah?
And I'm not just talking about garments produced in factories with questionable
working conditions. We all know that even 'designer' brands will make their clothes
in sweat shops, ship them over, sew a button on and claim they are "made in the
UK."
Nor do I mean the throwaway consumerism that these chain stores encourage. Buy
dress. Wear once. Shove in a drawer. Discard. We all do it, that's for our
conscience to deal with.
Or even the questionable tax status of certain high street magnates (ahem...).
We know all this.
No what bothers me is the lack of imagination, of creativity, of vision. The catwalk
copy cats.
Take the aviator jacket. Sumptuously reinvented by Burberry for A/W '10.
Everybody loved it. Everybody wanted it. By the time the first autumn leaves
began to fall, the high street was awash with faux leather and acrylic sheepskin.
And I would rather poke myself in the eye than wear one.
Then there's the serious case of identity crisis. Go. Shop. Channel any fashion story
you want. Be it preppy, folky, rocky, hippie, slutty... all in one store. Its a little
confusing.
And of course a hopeless devotion to trend. Any trend. Be it mega or micro.
Anybody bored of colour blocking yet?
Now, I'm not suggesting everybody go and max out their credit cards on designer
goods. But be inventive. Explore. Support talented young designers with student
loans to repay. Find tiny boutiques, independent brands. Learn to sew. Make your
own...be dextrous.
Life is short, don't waste it in Topshop...
