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What are people in Canberra wearing?
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from
Canberra
fashion
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By Steven Wright and Louisa de Smet
| Women | Men | Ages 16-26 A survey in the Canberra's CBD reviled to following statistics in Canberra women aged 16-26.
60% wore jeans while 30% wore skirts and only 10% wore trousers. Of the jean wearers 30% wore jeans made from distressed denim 30% wore flares and 50% wore tight or regular fit jeans. It seems that the distressed denim look is here to stay at least for another season. One reason could be that to achieve the distressed look, thick and therefore more quality denim is needed as the denim is sand blasted away this may explain the longevity of the style.
Bags were another item surveyed that unearthed some surprising findings, 40% of the women surveyed carried back packs with the most popular colour being black. 30% had either handbags or tote (small shoulder) bags and 30% carried no bag at all. Canberra women aged 16-26 are more casual about the bags they carry and it looks as if a high proportion are students. The numbers with no bag at all are growing, they won't be constrained by lugging bulky items with them wherever they go and are pioneering a trend amongst younger women to finally use pockets.
The footwear survey showed us that 40% of 16-26 year old women in Canberra prefer sneakers such as suede running or skate shoes 20% prefer the new style Birkenstock slip on shoe 20% wear mules while the same number wear boots, again the most popular colour being traditional black. Leather is by far the most widely used fabric for shoes from anything between its raw suede forms or in its highly processed patent style.
Women in Canberra still enjoy showing off their bodies in autumn, with 70% of those surveyed wearing either a t-shirt or some other short sleeved shirt with cowl necks and plunging necklines featuring. 50% are starting to feel the chill with a jacket or jumper being worn though many were open to show the short and sometimes sleeveless shirt underneath.
Colour, black is still the mainstay while neutrals and browns are maintaining their strangle hold, but, pink, blue, green in fact every colour of the rainbow is starting to appear in greater and greater numbers, a green t-shirt here an orange pair or trousers there thank god we are still willing to reflect a little of the wonderful world around us in our dress.
Men don't seem to be getting into the winter woollies as quickly as women. Jeans and some form of top have dominated menís wardrobes last season and it seems it wonít change going into the next.
Unsurprisingly, of the men that were observed, most were some kind of T-shirt including a polo neck and football shirt. Shirts only seemed to be worn by office workers or those working in the upper retail market. The subjects observed combined their shirts with dress pants which may be worn more this winter as there are two styles clearly being represented in the market, Conservative or sporty casual.
Jeans came in a variety of styles. This appeared to be attributed to the range of ages in the group.
Firstly, the younger end of the scale wore dark indigo wide leg jeans obviously two to three sizes too big, Worn low, almost to the point of falling off. These were accompanied by either some sort of brand t-shirt or puffy jacket.
Secondly, the early to mid twenties age group were more in tune to what was in fashion and were wearing more straight or boot leg jeans. These were heavily sand blasted to the point of no return. The vintage look doesnít appear to be going out of style just yet. These were dressed up by a black turtle neck to give the illusion of smart casual.
Thirdly, the end of the scale on some accounts was wearing true vintage jeans that had to have been six years old or more. The only difference between the new and the old was the lack of colour in the latter. Washed out pale blue is nearly always a dead give-a -way.
The lack of innovation in men's jumpers is returning this winter with v-necks with stripes and turtle necks with rib. Hooded jumpers also were prevalent with some of the younger boys.
Patterned shirts are still in and are being worn by the office types. Ties should only be worn with patterned shirts if they match. There is nothing worse than a bad shirt tie combo. Plain colours are rife with pink and mauve being common.
Shoes are one of the few things for men that have changed. Sneakers are chosen now rather than dress shoes to go out in. Sleek leather, lace-less sneakers are obviously more comfortable than leather shoes and come in more varieties of colour. Dress shoes are now just part of work or formal attire. Leather thongs and slides are still being worn but this time with jeans.
Fashion trends only really dictate to the younger age groups because when you get older you develop your own personality and ways of expressing it. Some men do it through clothes others through activities and hobbies. We are alas influenced by our friend and parents whether it is in a positive or negative way. As we age we become conservative or flamboyant. We are all individuals.