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According to Nylon, Alexander Wang is planning on putting those who produce irons and steamers out of business. Okay, not completely, but he's keen on making wrinkled clothing a thing.
His latest adidas Originals collab collection was inspired by "factory inconsistencies, irregularities, and imperfections." The article notes that, like acne, the imperfect is now the perfect. The collection hosts pieces made from perma-wrinkled fabrics, blurred graphics, and even features spelling errors.
So, I gave wrinkled clothing a go.
READ MORE: “I built a minimalist wardrobe and it kinda sucked – here’s why”
Usually I find myself asking "can I get away with this?" as I take a freshly washed and wrinkled item from my drying rack. It's wrinkled, but will people notice? I am, like I'm sure many of you are, not THAT in love with ironing. It's one of those monotonous tasks that I avoid, like going out at night in winter. (Just so cold)
But then I found myself dressed like this...
And suddenly the idea of a 5 minute ironing session didn't seem that horrid. But I started fearing being thought of as morsig, unneat and downright lazy. Especially as I chose to do this on a day I had three media events. (i.e. fashionable people who (might) judge)
First stop, a meeting at The V&A Waterfront
READ MORE: Wardrobe challenge: 1 suit worn 3 ways
As fate would have it, I chose the Millionaire's Mile as the 'preferred' route to get to my meeting, held at a coffee shop close to the Woolworths. This route is of course dotted with the likes of Karen Millen, Louis Vuitton, etc. I felt like the ugly friend.
Everything around me seemed so very shiny and manicured, I felt myself flinch every time I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror.
But no one really looked at me funny. I even got a "Good morning my lady" from a shop assistant standing outside a designer clothing store. He's face was not one of utter disgust, rather pleasantness. Phew.
Image: Giphy
So this insecurity of looking like I didn't belong, like I was lesser in some way, might have all been in my head. Maybe we think others notice our 'flaws', but often, we just exaggerate them in our own minds.
Next stop, two media events (In Constantia, nogals)
Arriving at Cellars Hohenort I almost opted to leave my wrinkled coat in my car. The experience at the Waterfront went okay, yet I was now about to enter an arena with people who know me. I couldn't just float about in a pool of anonymity.
As I entered I saw one woman's eyes navigate to the bottom of my coat, the most wrinkled part. I'm not sure if her nose twitched, but she wasn't impressed.
Thereafter I didn't experience much in the way of nauseating looks, only I found myself spotting creases on others' clothing. Hence...
(Loved this woman's outfit btw)
Conclusion
So I think this was very telling. When we fixate on a 'flaw' we often play it up so much in our own minds, while others barely notice it, or barely register it as a 'flaw' even. I was never that worried about wearing creased clothing until I focused on what others would think.
I care less now.
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