Flannal mammal 2/25/10

This is the first columnn by The Campus’ new fashion columnist, Philippe Bronchtein ’10. “Flannel Mammal” will run bi-weekly for the rest of the semester.

Hello! For better or worse, I am the new fashion columnist. As I sit down to write this, I’m admittedly anxious and questioning of my own merit as the fashion columnist. After all, I haven’t done laundry since 2009 and I’ve worn the same outfit three days running. My closet is almost exclusively flannel and jeans, mostly purchased from Costco. I read no fashion blogs, know relatively few designers, hate going shopping, and consider a bottle of Jack Daniels to be an appropriate fashion accessory.

So why me?

I think it’s safe to say that what I lack in credible fashion experience, I make up for in a decent sense of personal style and strong aesthetic opinions. For example, I find the rubber flipper-sandals Crocs to be some of the most abrasive creations since Heelys became popular in 2005. That said, my job is not to judge anyone or make anyone feel stupid for wearing Crocs. My opinions about other’s fashion sensibilities are largely irrelevant and should be taken with several hundred grains of salt. Wearing clothes that make you happy is one of the simplest pleasures in life. Which brings me to the point of today’s column.

If you look good, you feel good.

Fashion and dressing well is a way we express ourselves every day. Often, it’s subconscious and other times it’s practical (i.e. these pants aren’t too dirty), but no matter what, the way we dress is the way we present ourselves to our community. I can’t think of a better feeling than rolling up to the dining hall rocking nothing but denim. The Canadian tuxedo is one of my favorite ways to present myself to the world. The matching jean jacket and faded blue jeans tells the world, “I know I look ridiculous, but I’m gonna look damn good while I do it.” I’ve been searching hard for a pair of matching denim shoes, but they’re more elusive than you might think. Wearing my Canadian tuxedo makes me feel fantastic.

The individual that braves an outlandish outfit is on a quest to feel as good as he/she looks. This brings in the element of confidence. As the saying goes, ‘confidence makes any outfit.’ Of course, there are exceptions. A grown man in a Speedo and Heelys is more delusional than confident. Delusional grown men aside, confidence can be that extra belt hole that makes your pants fit just right.

This also reminds us of the importance of remaining non-judgmental towards people who wear something that we consider to be silly or unfashionable. The staple of the bros, the popped collar, is something that I myself would never dare to don. I think it looks more like a poorly designed fabric neck brace than a fashion statement. However, while I could come up with witty analogies all day (protective funnel for rabid dogs), it’s important to remember that the person who pops the collar does so because they know they look good with that collar popped. And what would be more misanthropic than to feel animosity towards someone who is confidently striving towards feeling good. Even if someone’s aesthetic is in stark contrast to your own, we’re all pushing towards the same thing: feeling good. Fashion is just a means to that end.