Clyde Moore: Amplify your style

Fashion is about the creative expression of a personality you can come to know, but never see. Moods and occasions, seasons and objectives and more can all influence it, turning up the amplifier effect, or toning it down.

This past year, I’d have to say, the amplifier was well used. I remember earlier this year when I was doing the Attic at Downeast coming downstairs to a new shipment of dresses with big prints full of so much fun color I immediately wanted whisky and a cigarette. Yes, that’s a reference to the show “Mad Men.” So much color and pattern, elements from decades gone by, when people dressed to impress or for some real fun, now back.

I caught Nancy Strickler, now retired from a career in retail, but still working occasionally at Downeast on Park Avenue and at Annabelle Hart in College Park. I asked what she was glad to see in fashion this year, and she didn’t hesitate. “I am really glad to see the preppy look coming back for young men. It’s just kind of uncanny to see it these days, people going to college and not just wearing t-shirts and shorts and what not. That they’re dressing up like in the olden days, when our parents did and when we did.”

For 2013, she’s hoping for more of the same. “I’d like to see the preppy look continue. I’d also like to see the creativity of the other shoppers, what they’re putting together, because it does demonstrate their personalities. We can’t all be the same.”

She continued, “I really like the new colors out for men, and to see that they are embracing them. But also the young ladies. The brighter colors that they’re wearing more and more. They’re really wearing them and they look so good on them. Even if we tried to show them before, that they’d look so good in color, they now do see that they look good.”

I stop in at Cida’s Consignment to find owner Janice Stewart. This year she was excited to see more fur. “And next year padded shoulders are going to be in,” she said, as visions Alexis and Krystle Carrington danced in my head. “Is that a good thing that they’re coming back?” asked Louise, a Cida’s employee. “It’s different. You know, you need difference,” Janice responded.

We then discussed other resurgent fashion trends. I mention neon, and that I don’t remember it showing up since the ’80s. “You hit the nail on the head with that one. That was the ’80s,” said Louise, smiling. Janice then mentions a line of clothing and accessories by Reed Krakoff, a one-time designer for and now CEO of Coach, who started a line under his name. Neon’s been all over this year, but usually in bits here and there, accents on shoes, a belt, trim, spaghetti straps I found on a Milly top at Downeast. Interesting tidbit from Janice as I leave is that Cida’s Consignment is included on the Orlando bound in-flight video on Delta Airlines flights.

A few doors away at Rosey Wray’s Roost gift shop, Trina Spinelli tells me she’s not into fashion, as I observe her woven over-sized leather belt, top with scalloped sleeve and tartan plaid skirt with leather trim. “Okay, I try,” she admits. “I like the big faced watches for women,” she says, flashing her own. “They used to be just for men, but now they’re poppin’ out on women and I love them. And they come in a bunch of different colors. Colors. Sparkle. I like that.” For 2013 she’s hoping to see hipping influenced fashion.

Down at Bella, I meet Lori Hoover. “I love that the flared bell-bottom is back,” she says, “but I want the high-waisted pant to go away, because I’m short-waisted and I look fat.” As I observe her in the great dress she’s wearing from the store, I doubt that’s possible, as she continued, “High pencil skirts, same reason.” Fellow employee Rashelle Danner chimes in, “Because it’s like your chest is sitting on your waist.”

As for their hopes for 2013, they’re on the same page: dresses. “Fun dresses. Kind of like the ’70s hippie look,” Lori says. “Baby doll type?” I ask. “Yeah, that would be cute if it was short and different, with boots.” Nearby Rashelle lifts her jean leg to show cowboy boots beneath, ones which belonged to her mother. Vintage is big, too.

At Peter Millar, employee John Spivey says they’ve been excited pleats have nearly disappeared. “We like flat (fronts). Glad to see pleats are gone. And…all the different kinds of patterns we have in our shirts are amazing. Small checkers, big checkers, but one of the biggest sellers has been this big check,” pointing to big block print in black and white.

“All of our clothes are a throwback to the old southern tradition when you dressed up, you put on a bowtie no matter where you go,” he said. “You just want to stick out. Make it an occasion. You’ve arrived.” He says many customers come in remarking about the combinations on their mannequins, pairings put together by manager Thomas Allen Cox, a graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York.

So, what about next year, I ask, what would you like to see, maybe parachute pants?

“That’s crazy,” he said.

Where was he when I needed someone to tell me that in 1983?