World MasterCard Fashion Week is upon us and I am sure many Toronto area bloggers and other fashionistas are spending the weekend deciding what to wear for the entire week. My tip? BE COMFORTABLE! Yes, it’s great to wear attention-grabbing clothes to grab a street style photographer’s attention, but most of the time, the outfits don’t even look comfortable. If you’re there just to watch a small handful of shows, it might be cool, but for those of us who are there to WORK – to cover several shows and perhaps even photograph from the pit, it’s just not worth it. One should look professional (but not in the corporate sense – unless you are a sponsor and required by your company to dress a certain way, do not wear a suit!!), but comfortable at the same time. Here are two looks:
The above look is something I recommend if you are going to be photographing from the pit. I was in the pit for some of the shows last season and wearing a skirt or dress was a BAD IDEA (not that I shouldn’t know this already). I really felt ill-manned and uncultured when I was on the floor because of the way I had to sit/crouch/kneel during a show to get the (close-to) “perfect” photo. In the back of my mind, I was worried that I was going to pull a “Britney” even though I was wearing tights or pantyhose. It just didn’t feel “lady-like.” For days I know I’m shooting, I’m definitely going to wear pants – especially ones like the skinny Pink Tartan pants above (not necessarily with the sweater – perhaps with a t-shirt and blazer instead – and tucked under tall, wedged boots). It’s easier anyway. But at the same time, I’m not going to go in looking like a slob!
If you’re not in the pit, skirts and dresses are fine (I like this look). However, if you’re the type to be there to cover several shows – perhaps even all day, for your feet’s sake, I don’t recommend super high, super-skinny heels. Again, comfort is good, but don’t look like you just got out of bed! When you’re media, you’re representing your blog and what you wear is its reflection (this is probably the private school girl in me. In high school, we were told that whenever we were on a field trip, we were “representing the school” and should not only behave, but look appropriate). Of course, if your blog is all about looking sloppy, then by all means. However, I’ve never heard of blogs like that covering any sort of Fashion Week.
Going to a party afterwards, but you don’t have time to change? I’d stick with the old staple and just bring a pair of shoes to change into! That’s probably what I’ll be doing one of the days as I will be going from Fashion Week to Operanation!
