Birken-Stalking
Birkenstocks, personally, are a disgrace. It is built so that your feet are shown like sandals while still maintaining a normal shoe structure. And for sandal-looking shoes, it is quite expensive. I do not get the “fad” in most fashion trends like Birkenstocks (I wouldn’t even call it that). But that’s the question for every kind of “fad.” Why do we follow fashion trends? Is it because it is a way for us to fit in with the in-crowds or is it because it is a human instinct to follow what is mainstream in our very own culture? For some reason, however, I can’t begin to have a clear answer to that question. I guess it’s just either me trying to forge my own style while simultaneously following these fashion trends or trying to make as big of an impression of myself as non-narcissistic as I can.
By non-narcissistic, I mean complimenting these trends for the better so that they don’t stay as just “fads” that go away after a certain season. I for one believe that boots and jeans/pants should be worn all year round due to its versatility. But god forbid me for wearing them because it’s too hot to wear them outside. Trends should be permanent because it’s suppose to develop and grow into something more. Its purpose is to create an even bigger impression. And in terms of fashion, that is important in a city like Chicago. The way you walk and dress in the streets of Chicago not only determines your impression with people, but also it shows how much you care. Caring means being comfortable. Caring is making an effort to improve the appearance of life as you walk through the streets of a city that demands some form of aesthetic from its walkers.
Anyways, I began my walk on State St where the likes of most affordable stores are located. Within this street, stores like Forever 21, H&M, and Old Navy are located within feet of each other. But one remarkable store that rule State St is Macy’s, otherwise known as Marshall Fields and Company. Ever since it was built in 1891, its profound and influential impact in clothing department stores and fashion in general allowed everyone in the city to afford decent looking clothes. Its influence allowed everyone to have access to both clothes and home/kitchen appliances when Macy’s was integrated and became the name on top of the building. However, Macy’s for me only offer basic clothing and do not carry most of the urban fashion trends that are relevant today.
As I get carried away by the beautiful, yet cheap looking clothes that Forever 21 offers, I decided to head into Zara. Zara, in general, is the better looking brand out of F21 and H&M and is more expensive. I frequently go to Zara though only to browse because in addition to it’s expensiveness, the quality of fabric in the clothes are only sub par. That is one of the things that people forget about in terms of buying clothes. Most people forget to factor in the longevity of the clothes that they buy. Even though most people resort to these kinds of inexpensive stores, they should know that the quality of clothes are probably a hit or miss. That also that delves into the issue of whether people should be buying cheap, yet more clothes or expensive clothes that will slowly build one’s style and wardrobe. Before I was ever into fashion, I was just a messy-looking peasant. But now, I am a decent-looking peasant that is also broke that takes advantage of sales, yet still buy expensive clothes from time to time.
While looking through the second floor of Zara (which has never been a luxury for me when living in the suburbs until I moved to Chicago), I noticed a great view of a ballet studio with actual ballet dancers practicing. I thought, “Wow this view could be a shot from a movie,” but of course, my photography skills doesn’t do it justice. I also wondered why the ballet studio is located on the 3rd floor of a department store rather than being on the first floor. I realized that it was because Chicago is all about commercialism and putting the needs of people in ways that it could reached easily and is walkable.
I then walk to Michigan Ave. and experience the Magnificent Mile for the 999th time. I sound like I am complaining, but each time I go brings a new experience every time. The way the weather changes and the way the clothes change in each store gives new insight. I noticed how all the stores that I saw located in State St were also located in the Magnificent mile but even bigger and aesthetically pleasing. Even though these two streets were only .6 miles apart, however, it seemed like the walk in between traversing from State to Michigan Ave. was longer. I also noticed more and more high end stores popping up like Tiffany & Co., Burberry, and the famous, enormous-looking Nike warehouse. The people seemed as if they have adapted to their surroundings by wearing some business-casual wear, camouflaging with the stores itself.
While walking towards the end of Michigan Ave, I let myself ponder solely on my thoughts. I ask myself why we give in to these titanic buildings and buy whatever they are selling. These buildings are just like Gods, I thought. Gods that we choose and willfully worship by utilizing everything they offer. These buildings are meant to basically showcase the magnificent offerings of each God (store) and it lures us in with its holy aura (lights) and angels (mannequins). It is a religion. And as we sacrifice (money) for these Gods, we have a certain exchange that not only creates a bond with the worshiper and the God, but also showcases a particular God to the world by having a physical part (clothes) of it.
Walking down Michigan Ave., I realize how much I appreciate people who dress well. Not only does it show that they care about their appearance, but it also shows a different kind of confidence for everyone. For example, I saw a woman wearing a black wool jacket that stretched all the way down to her legs, almost cape-like while wearing a white, chic dress that outlined her body and also white heels. You can tell by the way she walked that she had profound, yet shy confidence. Her face was all serious and determined which further accentuates her confidence. My point is, the way we dress reflects the way we feel about ourselves most of the time. As we pick out outfits for the day, we certainly are forced to think about whether to look bummy, casual, or nice. We imagine ourselves walking through the streets, wondering whether that outfit would give us a few stares from here and there. And by We, I mean I. This whole project has made me realize not only my passion for my hobby of fashion, but also the possibility of having an underlying narcissistic personality. Or maybe its just because I am an actual judgmental prick. While I do appreciate well-dressed people, I tend to judge people who do not. It is a habit that I would like to break, but I guess it has been internalized through my horrible transition into actually caring about my look. And so I project my feelings.
Now, I know that I have mentioned a couple of times how fashion is a way to “impress” which seems selfish and only serves as a way to satisfy one’s ego. However, in most cases, if not all, being able to impress others through clothes is just the same as an artist painting a piece of work. Clothes are mediums that allow people to express their own history and influences in a more physical way compared to painting. We get to paint the streets as we walk through it by wearing clothes that we personally choose. Yes, it is true that looking good will get people to treat you better. But that only happens when you are actually comfortable in your own skin, knowing that you look good.
I decided to go west onto Oak St, and definitely felt like I did not belong. Higher-end stores like Prada and Versace dominated the strip of buildings. The sidewalks were less crowded compared to Michigan Ave. because most people do not have the money to spend in these kinds of stores. Which I guess is why most stores that are catered to the rich close early, especially restaurants in small neighborhoods. Anyways, it was interesting how each of the stores followed a certain formulaic style when it comes to presenting its clothes. The building has two to three big glass windows that either showcases a cool piece of art or its typical mannequins showcasing the latest clothes. And on top of those glass windows, are simple yet bold fonts of the store’s name that all look the same.
To conclude, the most interesting fact that I have learned in my walk is that the prices for clothes go up as a person walks north in Chicago. It’s almost as if one is going up a ladder, where the best of the best is at the top and more obscure than the ones in the bottom. And my map definitely showcases that fact since the level of formality in terms of clothes goes up as I went farther North on Michigan Ave. Overall, it shows how Chicago itself puts the needs of everyone of every social class first and puts it in the center where it would generate crowding of people and popularity; the Loop & Michigan Ave. And by putting these stores in the center, it emphasizes the fact how Chicago wants you to adapt to the city and basically fit in while still expressing yourself through different ways in terms of fashion. In a city like Chicago, sticking out in a crowd is uncomfortable (unless you’re the one dressed well) and so these stores encourage people to be comfortable in their own skin. Taking care of ones’ appearance does improve ones’ life because it makes a person feel happy about themselves. Yes, it may seem petty and just a hollow desire. But for most people, it a sense of identity and an exercise in attention to detail. A disguise. A relief from some internalized insecurity. Fashion, in many ways, could be a component to improving life.
