What the future looks like

[beccaelizabeth]

I just read an article that reckoned 2012 looks just like 1992 and declared the end of style history. I'm not sure I agree with its basic premise. I'm sure I used to be able to get sleeves and long dresses more often. I can't replace like for like the stuff I got in high school. Or at least, if you know where to get dip dye floor length purple or burgundy dresses I'd love to know too. Same for rainbow socks, though they were newer, they're proving a bugger to replace. And there's a lot more decent bras around, which I admit isn't a style trend that shows, but believe me, in the larger sizes really do count. There isn't just The Bra That Fits any more, there's choices! Who knew? Plus, in outerwear, I'm pretty sure there's more militaria, and not the army surplus sort I used to get. Shiny buttons and lots of rows of them. And the little puff sleeves on outerwear I bought a couple years back and mum got rid of for being too 80s are still around. Which they hadn't been for a while. Plus, skinny fit jeans/leggings/tights and miniskirts, they got smaller. Girls wearing skirts that don't show past their coats isn't exactly new, but is currently prevalent. Trousers are bloody impossible to get into half the time. There's another set that's cut super wide, but the ones you can't fit your feet through are newer than 1992. And menswear does have a lot in common, but the rise of the hoodie and the addition of pink and purple to perfectly respectable shirt colors is a bit new, surely? I guess there's only no new look for a given value of new.

So then I was wondering, what would really new look like? What would be so new and different it would be immediately apparent?

Costume designers for F&SF, especially SF, have been answering that one repeatedly.


Are there any website collecting costumes of future civilisations? What the year 2000 used to look like, compared to what went on for reals? Worlds full of future humans?

I've been seeing more in the shops that looks like it came out of Blakes 7. Only often with a better budget.

I didn't reckon skintights would ever catch on, but come to think, current trends in tights seem to be heading that way.

F&SF costume design is extra fun because they're trying to be the future but they look so dated so fast. And it's weird, because how can they be dated, when they never really were?

What's your favourite set of SF costumes?
What show had the best over all look?
Or what species?

Comments

[aeron-lanart.livejournal.com]

Skinny jeans are 80s - I used to wear them - and they were De Rigeur for goths from about 1982 to the early 90s, still are for those with the legs for them - and that's just the guys. The shiny-button military thing was also done in the early 80s (thank you Adam and the Ants) as well as the more grungy camo look.

Retro styling comes and goes - right now I see things from the 70s, 80s and 90s that are all 'in fashion' so I agree with you 2012 is not 1992.

LOL at your comment about Blakes 7 - so true!

Best look... personally I adore Firefly but that's principally because of Inara's lovely clothes, Simon Tam's waistcoats and the coats!