Is black the new black?
“The scene is laid in the park on Sorin's estate. A broad avenue of trees leads away from the audience toward a lake which lies lost in the depths of the park. The avenue is obstructed by a rough stage, temporarily erected for the performance of amateur theatricals, and which screens the lake from view. There is a dense growth of bushes to the left & right of the stage. A few chairs and a little table are placed in front of the stage. The sun has just set. Jacob & some other workmen are heard hammering and coughing on the stage behind the lowered curtain.
Masha & Medviedenko come in from the left, returning from a walk.
Medviedenko - Why do you always wear mourning?
Masha - I dress in black to match my life. I am unhappy.”
The Sea Gull – Anton Chekhov, Act 1, Scene1
Yesterday was my first day back in London & one of the things that struck your humble correspondent was that everyone was wearing black – I mean, what is it that compels pretty girls, on a beautiful early autumn day to dress like a bunch of camel jockeys?
Now some people I can understand being thus attired …. motorcycle couriers for example; black being the international colour of all motorcyclists. However it strikes a simple soul such as me as quite extraordinary that so many people want to wander the streets of our fair capital, looking like they have just emerged from a Stranglers concert – either that or maybe a new wave of Puritanism is sweeping the country … forget Atkins, it’s the Diet of Worms all over again.
I mean normally, if an woman spies another sporting a garment within 10 pantone shades of what she is wearing, she will burst into tears & hot foot it down to some boutique called ‘Ludicrous’ & spank 150 sheets on something in another colour: but not when it comes to black – oh no, the fair sex seem to be quite happy to be seen in the latest bar, (probably named ‘Absurd’) all looking like escapees from an undertakers convention.
Now those poor souls that have the misfortunate of actually knowing me will be able to testify to my complete lack of qualification to comment on matters of fashion – however I am not going to stop, buoyed as I am with a few fingers of overproof. As far as your humble correspondent is concerned, moleskin trousers only reach that level of transcendental comfort on the tenth anniversary of purchase, regardless of errrrr thickening waists. Oh yes, for those of us that have just turned 40, what was once a six pack (twenty years ago) is these days more of a keg.
But to return to the black thing – what precisely is that all about? If girls were all compelled to wear Chairman Mao suits their would be howls of indignation unless they were from Shanghai Tang. Yet they collectively seem to want to look like extras from a Transvision Vamp video. Maybe I am missing the point entirely & should scour the Sunday supplements for articles entitled “Black is the new black”. However all of this colour hegemony strikes me as slightly amusing … now exactly which old tweed jacket shall I wear tomorrow?
Comments
Transvision who? My you are showing your age... hehe
Posted by: nbc | September 1, 2004 2:07 PM
My artist wife informs me that part ofthe training on a foundation course for most art schools includes instructions on appearing to be an art student. Much of this is down to the liberal application of black garments at all times of the year. Art students, being creative and because they care are the drivers of fashion - thus everybody dreses like greek widows.
Posted by: Gawain | September 1, 2004 9:30 PM