Weekend Diversion: Night Of The Ponies
Pedway, First Store Open At Block 37
Around Town
Around Town
Red-Light Cameras Not So Special?
Photo by Brian Kravets
The Pros: No contorted poses and the annoying up-sell message of “You’d be better if you had this...” like most fashion magazines. You’re critiquing your neighbor’s outfit. Score one for voyeurism.
The Cons: Style is subjective, so these blogs are not one size fits all. Also, trends this spring are still raging with 80s pastiche. Expect to see Blossom, Alex P. Keaton, and the dudes from Breakin’ make fashion appearances. Totally.
Chicago’s own Monica Dimperio focuses on Chicago’s street chic with her blog, The MidWasteland. With a BA in Fashion / Retail Management from Columbia College, and 20 years of fashion experience, (including styling and merchandising for Prada and Lacoste, among others) Dimperio began photoblogging in 2007 after shooting pics of sweaty, alt kids at the Pitchfork Music Fest. So that online oglers like us can love—or loathe—them. We talked with Dimperio about Chicago’s fashion sense, the ‘h’ word, and whether the globalization of fashion will create a bunch of “individualist” clones.
Chicagoist: Chicago is viewed as a follower city rather than a leading city when it comes to fashion. Do you think that’s changing?
Monica Dimperio: Chicago definitely isn't a place to look for emerging fashion trends, but it does have its own unique style. I think we are a melting pot of styles and it obviously varies throughout the city's neighborhoods. I don't know if it's just because of the recession, but I've been seeing a lot of vintage inspiration in everyone's wardrobe.
C: I'm noticing shoulder pads and pleated pants are coming back. Hell no. Is there any particular trend that you're just not going to try?
MD: I'm pretty much willing to give anything a try. I think it's fun to live in the moment and have fun with what you wear. I vowed to never wear pleats after the 90s, but we'll see what happens.
C: Speaking of spring, what are your favorite trends?
MD: For women: playsuits, cut outs, ripped skinny jeans, round sunglasses. And for men: double breasted blazers and sweaters, diving watches, brogues, slim ties, bow ties, or anything Mad Men-ish
C: It’s interesting that someone in Chicago can dress just like someone in Helsinki. These sites seem to sap some power from the fashion editors and designers because people go directly to the trend source. But does the globalization of fashion mean that everyone will start looking... the same?
MD: I do think everyone has started to dress similarly. We're all hipsters now. It's so strange how the "hipster" phenomenon has caught on throughout the world. I say hipster as a general term, but really, everyone from Jay-Z to suburban Chicago teens to fashion editors in London are wearing the same exact thing. Nerd glasses, skinny jeans. Yes, the labels are different, but the items are the same.
I think it's just the fact that things are different these days. When I was a young fashionista, I read Sassy Magazine and watched MTV. I pretty much wore anything Kurt and/or Courtney wore. And that grungy style of dress was not widely accepted. I clearly remember being judged for my clothing.
Nowadays, we have access to so much information, there are no boundaries. It's weird. I don't like it. I just think that the combination of the economy and our vast, quickly moving technology is changing fashion as we know it.
C: You definitely tap into Chicago's hipster lifestyle on MidWasteland, with the social circuit and nightlife coverage. What do you think about sites like Hipster Runoff?
MD: Hipsters are a big part of our culture and I am living in that world. It would be impossible for me not to tap into it. Most people hate the ‘h word’ but I embrace it. That's one reason why I love Hipster Runoff. Carles makes fun of everything that being a hipster is all about, but not in a disgruntled way like other sites. He says everything that everyone is thinking, but doesn't say out loud. I'm a fan.
C: We noticed your coverage on Alexander McQueen for Target and Christian Siriano’s new shoe line at Payless. Are you a high / low shopper?
MD: I’m more of a low / low shopper. I rarely spend over $20 on any one article. If I do, it has to be really special and I think about it over night. Maybe one day when I have a more expendable income I'll spend it on expensive clothes, but probably not. I've always been this way.
C: So, what are your top 5 favorite shops in the city?
MD: Forever 21, American Apparel, Village Thrift, Eskell, Marc by Marc Jacobs
C: It’s almost spring and we’re so tired of bulky coats and layers. Any tips for punching up a frumpy outfit on the cheap?
MD: For everyone, I say organize what you have! Every single person I know has a treasure trove of items in their closet that they haven't uncovered yet. Look up tips on the internet or call a professional (me!) Either way, get rid of everything you don't wear. Take it down to Buffalo Exchange and make a few bucks. That way you'll be able to buy a couple of things you really need (probably on sale, at this point).
Wanna hang out with MidWasteland? Dimperio is at Bar Deville for Gossip Girl Mondays. She will also be checking out Illinois Institute of Art’s Fame ‘09 on Friday, March 6, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Eskell’s Glitter and Disco on Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Photo by Brian Kravets
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I like to think of myself as someone who follows fashion a bit, but what exactly are cut outs?
Monica had a lot of interesting things to say, and she really gave words to what I have been thinking as far as the hipsters and the globalization of fashion goes.
I'd really be interested to hear what she has to say about the anger many people exhibit towards hipsters. Just check out all the yelp reviews for the Logan Bar and Grill (one example online that comes to mind).
or anything Mad Men-ish
Bourbon at 10am, Martini's for lunch, a wife and two girlfriends....I'm gonna love this Spring!! :-)
Yes, I heard the rumor about shoulder pads making a comeback. Didn't wear them the first time around, won't do it this time either. I refuse to be a victim of fashion.
I also think that skinny jeans are horrible. They don't look good on ANYONE...not even someone as skinny as Ms. Posh Beckham.
But it's always amusing to see all the fish in the sea line up and wear whatever the fashion sadists say to wear, even when it looks stupid, is uncomfortable and expensive.
expensive? didn't you read that Monica only spends sub 20 bucks on most items? Many "fashion sadists" operate this way as well.
I think the girl from midwasteland should do the satorialist inspired shoots for this site.
i really think she's great.
That'd be a great idea Matty ... if Monica wasn't ALREADY doing something like that for her own site, MidWasteland!
Yeah, it isn't like she can do stuff like that for TWO venues, even if only one was paying her. Who do you think she is, Roger Ebert and/or Richard Roeper?
Oh, well, see, we have our answer...
matty, thanks for the compliment! I would have LOVED to contribute to their Watcha Wearin section but I wasn't asked. ;)
cleared up. thanks.
No need to be rude.
Also why can't she do crosspostings on here or just also do a once weekly one here?
Is that so unpossiblE?
Monica knows what she's talking about, and has a great eye for fashion. And not "snob" fashion as Ingrid implied, but "fresh and unique" fashion.
Nice photo too, I believe it was taken by this guy: http://photo.net/photos/BarthurK
Hey, I can do the vapid self-affected posturing too!
Gotta hand it to those Finns though, they pull it off and actually look like friendly people you'd want to be around.
If you're looking for emerging designers and original fashion at American Apparel, F21, or MBMJ you're NOT GOING TO FIND IT, in any city. Instead of making blanket statements, Monica Dimperio should do her homework.
You sound pretty revved up, martinesyms.
I never said I was looking for emerging designers and original fashion at the aforementioned places. If you reread, you'll notice I said I don't have an expendable income so I shop on a budget. None the less, Chicago IS NOT A PLACE TO FIND EMERGING TRENDS. Emerging designers, YES. But that wasn't the question, now was it.
I'm really not sure what blanket statements you are speaking of. Please expand and tell me what I should be doing my homework on. I'm curious to know what YOU have to say.
Thanks for all the great feedback!
jennaNL, cut outs are garments with cut out pieces in obscure places like the ribcage, mid section and back. The trend is a nice way to show a little skin without being overt.
matty, thanks for the compliment! I would have LOVED to contribute to their Watcha Wearin section but I wasn't asked. ;)
Thanks, after doing a quick google search I found what you are talking about. Somehow in my mind Cut outs equated cut offs, as in short fringing denim pants, a style I'm not too fond of.
I liked what you had to say so much that I've subscribed to your blog's feed!
Great interview! I'm so glad to hear somebody else big-upping F21, AA and a thrift store...Forever 21 especially has got this reputation for cheap and trashy looking clothes when it doesn't really deserve at least the second part of that assessment. It also helps that they unapologetically rip off other designers, making their looks affordable. I personally don't have an issue with this if only because it's not like I'd be buying real designer stuff anyway - but that's a total digression for another time/blog.
I don't know if it's just because I've moved westward (and spent some time in an ass-backwards college town) over the past two years but it seems like fashion has been stagnating in a way. Vogue called skinny jeans "over" two years ago and they are still going strong, not that Vogue is some kind of prophet (hardly) but aside from the Halston-esque and ripped shit it seems like everyone is still dressing the same...maybe I'm just not paying enough attention.