Wear Your Basics with Attitude

wearing the basics

Generation X Uniform

The jeans and a t-shirt / sweatshirt combo was practically a uniform when I was a teenager, worn by my peers everywhere, from school to holidays and family gatherings. Of course, back then we didn’t call these items ‘basics’, let alone normcore (the snappy name coined by Millennial hipsters to sell it off as something trendy). But the idea was the same: nondescript clothing that could be worn by anyone, anywhere. Sort of stealth wear that allows you to blend in, chameleon-like. Of course, wearing basics can also make you fade into the background, as if you were wearing an invisibility cloak…

Hmm, given that Generation X is sometimes described as the grumpy, invisible middle child squashed between an over-achieving go-getter older sibling and a needy attention-junkie younger sibling, maybe the invisibility cloak isn’t such a bad analogy…

Whatever…

Generation X grew up wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and this ‘uniform’ became sort of a second skin: so natural you didn’t even think about it. Our parents thought it was sloppy, as if we couldn’t be bothered to dress up. And they were probably right.

But then again, Generation X probably didn’t bother to make much of an effort to meet other people’s expectations, about dressing up or life in general. Because, well, what was the point? Our parents were too caught up in the drama of their own lives or just too busy ‘finding themselves’ to pay much attention to us, never mind what we did or didn’t do.

This of course gave us more freedom from parental and societal control than any generation before or after us has ever dreamed of. As a result, we learned that you can get away with a lot if you pretend that you don’t give a shit about other people’s expectations. Sure, you may get called a ‘slacker’, or something to that effect, every now and then. But if you shrug it off with that trademark devil-may-care attitude, people simply think that you’re just being  blazé or incredibly cool.

Never mind…

Anyway, the Generation X version of normcore / basics was always heavily accessorised with attitude. And, of course,  with the sarcasm that has come to symbolise this generation of obnoxiously self-relient children, so accustomed to doing their own thing without asking for advice or permission, and without explaining or apologising for it.

So, this is what I’m doing here: accessorising my basics with attitude. And with some colour and skulls and leopard print… Yes, I may be wearing just boring basics but I do it with style. Whatever.

All I’m saying is: wear your Generation X uniform with attitude, sarcasm optional…

Breton top over 40

trench coat over 40

Outfit details:

Breton top: Jigsaw / scarf: Alexander McQueen / jeans: Next / bag: Furla / 

shoes: Clarks / sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana / Trench coat: Hobbs
location: Paddington Basin, London

How do you wear your basics?

Tiina

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Not Dead Yet StyleElegantly Dressed and StylishGaray TreasuresHigh Latitude StyleSydney Fashion HunterThe Pleated PoppyStyle ElixirGet Your Pretty OnHappiness at Mid-LifeA Labour of LifeDoused in PinkCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunRachel the HatSincerely Jenna MarieMore Pieces of MeColor and GraceThe Wardrobe StylistNot Dressed As LambStyle NudgeCoco et La Vie en RoseFashionably Employed,The Fabulous JourneyLiving on Cloud NineA Well Styled LifeElegance and MommyhoodPosh Classy MomNancy’s Fashion Style

19 Comments

  1. Nancy's Fashion Style
    28 April 2016 / 6:12 am

    And I sure love your attitude! I love the colors of the bag,scarf and trench together.

    • Tiina L
      29 April 2016 / 7:22 am

      Thanks, Nancy. This is my latest favourite colour combo: orange and purple.

  2. Carrie
    28 April 2016 / 6:02 pm

    Your scarf matches your bag perfectly in the first photo and that is such a warm and inviting color for Spring! Also, can't go wrong pairing them with stripes- def. a win-win outfit!Carriecurlycraftymom.com

    • Tiina L
      29 April 2016 / 6:52 am

      Yes, they do match, exactly. I only realised that when I wore them together for the first time. But it's a total co-incidence, I didn't plan it, and I bought the scarf a long time before I got the bag.

  3. Alice Warren
    29 April 2016 / 2:40 am

    When I was growing up, I hated wearing jeans. It wasn't until they stated incorporating spandex in jeans that I grew to love them. I love this outfit on you!Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week. Have a great weekend!Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.com

    • Tiina L
      29 April 2016 / 6:54 am

      Yes, a little bit of lycra makes all the difference, making jeans so much more comfortable. I remember the super tight jeans from the early 80's, you had to be some sort of a contortionist to get them on.

  4. Ashley Nicole Barney
    29 April 2016 / 3:46 pm

    Love how the colorful additions take a normal outfit to spectacular!

    • Tiina L
      30 April 2016 / 9:07 am

      Thanks, Ashley!

  5. Amy Christensen
    29 April 2016 / 3:58 pm

    Love this outfit! It's casual, chic and shouts with attitude! Love your sunglasses too! – Amywwwstylingrannymama.com

    • Tiina L
      30 April 2016 / 9:11 am

      Thanks, Amy. This is my favourite pair of sunglasses at the moment, I seem to be wearing them all the time.

  6. Nancy's Fashion Style
    29 April 2016 / 5:12 pm

    Thanks for linking up with Fancy Friday!

  7. The Wardrobe Stylist
    30 April 2016 / 5:35 pm

    So funny how you describe the Gen X crowd…I'm a millenial (at the beginning of the generation) and I wonder if in 20 years we will say the same thing about ourselves lol..This is the 3rd blog today I hop onto that has either utilized t-shirts or stripes as the main topic, both which I love to style! Would love if you can link up to http://the-wardrobe-stylist.com/2016/04/24/mothers-day-rings/

    • Tiina L
      1 May 2016 / 10:57 am

      Stripes and t-shirts, what's not to love?Yes, well, Gen X is a bit of a forgotten generation, unlike Boomers and Millennials, so I felt the need to fly the flag a bit here.

  8. Coco
    1 May 2016 / 5:48 pm

    I think everything should be worn with attitude, because it's everything! I see you do, in fact you are very charming no matter what you're wearing. By the way, I love this color combo!! Thank you so much for always linking up, it means so much to me! Baci, Valeria – Coco et La vie en rose NEW POST and LINK UP

    • Tiina L
      2 May 2016 / 6:19 pm

      Thanks, that's so sweet of you.

  9. Anonymous
    3 May 2016 / 2:21 am

    What a great coat. I love the color combo. xo ~ Megan The Fashionista Momma

    • Tiina L
      3 May 2016 / 4:06 pm

      Thanks, Megan!

  10. Shelbee On The Edge
    16 May 2016 / 8:02 pm

    I love your outfit, your attitude, your writing style, and everything about this post! I will definitely be coming back for more!Shelbeewww.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina L
      21 August 2016 / 9:37 pm

      Thanks, I look forward to you popping by.

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