At first, Birkenstock Bostons, Telfar Bags, New Balance 990s, or Maison Margiela Tabi Boots may cause an untrained eye to question the fashion industry’s current devotion to such divisive pieces. How do items like these become cult classics and why do we love them so much?
Acquired taste is about developing an appreciation for something that would initially be rejected without having ample exposure.
To quote Arabelle Sicardi in a recent SSENSE article about the history of the iconic Tabi’s, “They draw reactions out of strangers and make friends for you, because when you see someone else wearing them, you know they love something you love, too. They have become shorthand for a specific philosophy in fashion: that something doesn’t need to be beautiful to be moving, that the unusual can be beautiful, and that the smallest details can lead to the most enduring results.”
Seemingly “wild” or “ugly” pieces become more than just a shoe or handbag. They become a signal revealing the wearer’s identification within a community. This is why fashion is such a cool industry to be a part of– because you can identify fellow members in any space before even speaking a word to one another.
Fashion has the ability to break the barrier between complete strangers because either A. someone else is on the same wavelength as you or B. your clothes become a conversation starter.
Once someone discovers the history, symbolism, and aesthetic choices behind fashion classics, it’s easier to understand why certain pieces matter so much to our community beyond just curb appeal.
“This is why fashion is such a cool industry to be a part of– because you can identify fellow members in any space before even speaking a word to one another.”
I’ve been thinking about this! Every fashion subculture has their own aesthetic and pieces.