“The Fashion Issue”.

by Jon Gardner on 24.03.09

I’m writing this from the corner of 8th Street and Ocean Drive, sunny Miami Florida. How about that? Darlings!

I’d love to boast that 4Q sent me as a roving reporter to get the Fashion scoop, direct from the belly of the beast, but nothing so glamorous I’m afraid. Deadlines and holidays do not mix as it turns out. But damn, what a spot to pick to pitch in on the Fashion Issue.

See, I’m no fashion guru. Anyone who knows me will be quick to cry “Understatement!” and fair play to them. I would however like to think I know a little bit about Style. And cruise Miami all you like, Manchester will offer as many answers to this query just as readily: What’s the difference?

Fashion is, and always will be, dictated. Do what Fashion says! – even if you are uncertain of the statement – and you will be readily accepted by fellow devotees, without question. How tragic. Let Style guide you however, and yes, you may very be shunned by the Fashionista here and there, but you may also end up with a devotee or two of your own. How awesome!

Fashion is fleeting. It says nothing, save for “Look, I can do it too!” That’s no good. You want to be the source, don’t you? Course you do. You’ve got that Look! Style is Yours. Look to the streets of Miami and the message shouted loudest, and I believe this to be the same of Manchester, is “Be yourself”. You look your best, dressed as You. Follow Fashion as much as you like, but unless you temper that look with a Style of your own, it will show. Your lack of confidence will seep through even the most costly Vuitton.

Fashion can help you accessorise, but it’s a mistake to let it make a statement on your behalf. Style is unique, dictated by ourselves, prompting questions, conversations and yes, sexual liaison. Look to the rear pages of other (bigger, glossier, lesser!) magazines than ours and take in the catwalk photos. Peacock-feathered men in silver waistcoats, heroin-thin girls with birdnest hair must never be the standard by which we measure Style. The Look does not begin there.

Without Style and its’ champions there would be no Ziggy Stardust, no Goth, no Punk, no Mod movements. Fashion squeezes us to conform, to strive to make the grade. Style, properly, bravely employed, makes that grade and forces walls.

Manchester is, you’ve gathered by now, a very real epicentre of shining Style, thanks in no small part to the gorgeous souls that are its’ very face. That means You. No, not the thinner, taller, sharper-cheekboned friends you hang with. You. Your Style will set you apart from the clothes-horses and grant you depth. So you need to experiment, if you haven’t already found your groove. Get to shopping. Yes boys, you too. Try new things. What’s the worst that could happen? And the best?

One of the most stylish people I’ve ever met is also one of the cheapest, Scrooge McDuck shoppers to ever grace Matalan, and he always looks great, comfortable in his skin. A girl I once worked with took pills to make her tan, coloured her hair weekly and wore tinted contact lenses on nights out. It struck me eventually that while looking her way, I never really saw her.

I want to see you.

Because you’re worth it.

Jon Gardner is in his 20th year of wearing Converse, will never stop wearing flares (never!) and found the sunglasses that suited him best for £10.