I just started a new gig downtown. It’s a delight to work in downtown Seattle because there’s just a ton of stuff outside the office building, because it’s close to home, and because, hey, it’s downtown Seattle, how great is that?<\/p>\n
But also, there’s a fun thing that happens as I wend my way downtown and back up to Cap Hill again. I go through two distinct fashion ecosystems. First, up here on the hill, the 80s are back, big time! I can’t count how many times in the last two weeks I’ve seen bleached blonds in fishnets and miniskirts, looking for all the world like Blondie herself reincarnated in various sizes and shapes. And that Ramones look, not quite bedhead, not quite styled, with the super tight jeans, black t-shirts, and short jackets… I don’t know that I’ll be reviving it in my wardrobe, but it makes me giddy to see it.<\/p>\n
And downtown? Late sixties, early seventies, big time. The big department stores look like the windows are stocked with extras from early episodes of The Rockford Files, or maybe from a bad Jack Lemmon\/Walter Matthau movie. Belted chunky knit sweaters and big sunglasses, handbags with heavy gold accents, platform shoes. Did you really tuck your jeans in to your knee length boots? Why yes, yes you did! Wow! And what are the chain stores selling the hip kids? I swear it’s my California wardrobe from 1986, the ragged cutoffs with surfer t-shirts, a tank top under a spaghetti strap dress, stuff I wore to the studio while I was finishing my art degree…<\/p>\n
It’s awesome. I’m not much of a participant in fashion. I want my money for other things. But it doesn’t mean I’m not a happy observer of trends. I can’t wait til summer comes, it’s going to be big fun on Broadway.<\/p>\n