classic fashion themes

I recently read a great post on Style Bubble about the longevity of nautical as a fashion trend. Nautical comes back every few seasons, whether it appears in summer or winter, it matters little, for the basics are always in style. Similarly, I would like to point out that military/safari looks (khaki, army green, buttons, cargo pockets, animal prints, military jackets, etc, etc) can be considered a classic, or at the very least, a constant american trend.

Currently, there is a "shop by trend" option on shopbop that features the subsection "Jungle Love." While the name may be a tad ridiculous, the idea is not. Jungle and safari themed clothing appears in the fashion world almost every summer. Also, many of these pieces can cross over into the military world. Both trends come back around, if not next season, than in the next few. Military jackets, like pea coats, will always look fashionable.

In many ways, this could be seen as a characteristically "american" phemonemon, which fits right in with the Ralph Lauren/J. Crew school of classy and clean clothes that seem to somehow indicate a superior lifestyle, full of boat trips, patriotism, barbecue and beaches. Nautical, military and in its own way, safari, all celebrate the world of upperclass American classics. The highschool favorite, mall-store Abercrombie and Fitch exemplifies this trend; A&F was once actually an "elite excursion goods retailer". Now, Abercrombie is best known for the naked co-eds that adorn its black and white bags- and its clothes. Abercrombie, a safari company, is now the uniform of highschoolers everywhere.

So, to celebrate the fourth of july and the general American spirit, I plan on purchasing a few special items, things that capture the "casual luxury" style of American preps. Not that I am planning on looking all red-white-and-blue, but it might just happen....