Ode to a Peter-Pan collar

“In order to move forward, first, we must look back”. (Nicola Brown, 2011)

Evident from the name, which alludes to the forever young and mischievous Peter, the Peter-Pan collar gently nods to an age of innocence we seem to have lost. I think this is what I find so appealing about the look. In today’s society, where we are obsessed with girls bearing all, there seems to be no mystery or intrigue left in what lies beneath our clothing. Cropped t-shirts bearing our midriffs and skirts which cling for dear life to our form have serenaded the High Street stores and alas, appear to have stolen their hearts.

Now I’m not getting all high and mighty claiming to be the most conservative, liberated dresser. I love clothes. I love the way a nice outfit can make you feel confident, which for the shy and self-depreciating among us, can often be a challenge. Yet I do sometimes wonder whether I don’t subconsciously dress in a manner I know reflects male fantasy. This may simply be in the form of a tighter-than-normal dress; or a skirt lying a few inches higher than Nana would approve; or even just by donning a pair of ridiculously high heels. But it’s led me to seriously contemplate: ‘Am I dressing for me?’

Enter the Peter-Pan collar.

With its high neck-line and soft, rounded collar it exudes a subtle sense of class. You’re never going to see a girl gracing a Lads Mag wearing an oh-so -sexy Peter-Pan collar (I realise clothes are irrelevant in these magazines, but you get my drift!). As I’ve learnt many a time, if a guy is only interested in your appearance, he’s probably a bit of a git anyway. By attempting, therefore, to dress in a manner that doesn’t scream: “I’m desperate and up for anything!” I think women’s place in society can only become more firmly rooted. Yes, the last fifty years have seen marked improvements in the workplace for females, but it is arguably still a man’s world out with the professional confines of society. As long as girls still feel the need to dress and act in a certain way purely to please men, then can we really say there is gender equality? If the situation is reversed we can see the disparity; men can and do wear what they want as they do not fall prey to objectifying eyes.

I suppose it could be considered ironic that I am harkening back to popular 60s fashion in the interest of liberation. The 50s and 60s, whilst being an age of tremendous music and fashion, still saw the oppression of women. I must admit most of my knowledge of this period comes primarily from popular TV series Mad Men. The leading male, Don Draper, (who happens to be devilishly handsome of the old-school variety) entertains a new woman every week. Meanwhile Mrs Draper (oh yeah, he’s married!), is confined to tending the home and rearing their children. This is gospel in my eyes. Women were unfairly treated: End of. Nonetheless there was something about the fashion which I believe generated a sense of respect and emancipation for 60s womankind. Yes their attire was sexy, but understated sexy.

So my solution for our generation? Peter-Pan collars for all!

Nic x

My First Bloggy Wog

So according to Mother Brown: in order to become a writer, one must write.

Whaaaaat?!

Well, for the sake of humouring her and postponing the dire “What are you doing with your life?” spiel, I have finally decided to hop on the blog-wagon. I have avoided it so long due to the fact it is more often than not a platform for self-indulgent, pretentious nonsense. Then I remembered this is exactly the angle I was hoping to achieve, so why not! And the one thing about blogs I cannot scorn is that no one can stop you. So take that Elle and Vogue. Don’t want to publish any of the articles I have inundated your mail bags with? Pah, whatever I’ll just go write it in my BLOG!

This concept of rejection is something I am becoming far too familiar with. I am beginning to ponder whether instead of ‘shadowing’ featuring in the work experience section of el C.V. I might instead have to include ‘stalking’: “Just pretend I’m not here. I’ll sit in the corner and fade into obscurity if you wish, just let me watch you!” (...laughed the paedophile). But on a serious note: I realise in my amateur journalism career I am perhaps punching above my weight expecting to be offered Acting Assistant to Anna Wintour. But when Shout and Ponies are my friends are declining to respond to submissions, I can’t help but feel deflated.

As you may have gathered – I know you’re all intelligent individuals – this blog does not have, as yet, a particular purpose or direction. Art imitating life one might say. Nonetheless I am optimistic that as I continue writing each week (oh yeah guys, there’s more of this to come!) some kind of direction will emerge. If not it will simply remain the rantings of an insignificant girl. MOI!

And to finish a quick note on what books I’m reading each week. This section not only highlights that I read, and thus must be highly intelligent and acute-minded. But also - as the week’s progress and a wide variation of reading materials emerge - that I am very worldly and well cultured: “Dracula one week, Lauren Conrad’s diaries the next? Woah is there anything that girl won’t read?!”

So yes this week see’s Charlotte Dacre’s Zofloya rightly occupying centre stage, which is one of the required books for my ‘literature of terror’ module. Zofloya was written in the Dark Ages (note: any books predating my life will be regarded as the ‘Dark Ages’ as this is the only age I know) and thoughts so far: yeah it’s pretty decent.

More insightful analysis to follow next week. I can taste the anticipation.

I sincerely hope this blog has fulfilled its duties of providing wallowing entertainment to those whom this has been forced upon.

There will be a Pop Quiz to follow soon.

Over and Out.