Hi hey hello!
It’s Carson, back at it again, here to talk to you about stripes! Stripes of all kinds: nautical, clashing, yellow, brown, pink, the hamburglar kind, oh and have you found Waldo recently? (I think he has a tv show now). But before we get into it, I do want to keep you updated on my name change feelings because this blog started as a way to process new information out loud and I’m not trying to forget my roots!
So, I’ve been feeling a sense of melancholy. Here comes the grief, the inevitable feelings of loss that follow change. It hasn’t been a wave, just a few short cries here and there, a sort of slow stream of woe, something that feels like a tempered release of pressure. The source of this sadness became clear to me recently because I’ve been overhearing people talking about/to other Carson’s. I’ll be clearing a table at my serving job and hear a loud, “When’s Carson coming?” from a couple tables over. Clearly they aren’t talking about me, I’m already here, but it does immediately distract me and put me in my head. Wait what? Oh right. Don’t forget about this life-changing decision you made! So the name feels a little foreign at times because it doesn’t only belong to me, like the last one did. But I have to remember that this was kind of the point. I’m unique enough as it is (flips hair), and in my very social lifestyle, I wanted a name that was simply easier to use and more gender neutral. It has made my life more efficient! (I promise this isn’t nazi-coded). Plus, I personally love the new branding (you can call me a sell-out though).
They say it’s about the journey or something right? I’ve enjoyed the process tremendously and it’s made me less afraid to pursue my business plans because I know I can handle paperwork, which feels like the extra long route to a pretty short shot, but we all have our ways okay! I do believe this sensation will lessen, and I will just smile at the loud shouts of “Yo, Carson!” thrown across the room by a twenty year old Georgetown student I’ve never met. Or so that’s what the Kate’s of the world tell me.
Cool, YAY! Thanks for listening to me reassure myself and reiterate my motivations for this decision. NOW LET’S TALK STRIPES ~
Let’s begin with some history and instantly recognizable examples stripes throughout pop culture.
Once upon a time, when I was living in Larchmont, I was walking down the street and a man looked me in the face, then told his toddler son, “and that person looks like an old timey burglar.” I thought it was was kind of funny, but he was not laughing. So rude and annoying because then I couldn’t wear that striped shirt and black baseball cap combo anymore without seeing it.
Upon further review, the zebra stripe’s relation to burglars & thieves dates back to the middle ages, but were popularized in the 1820s when the black and white horizontals were introduced as the uniform of prison inmates in New York. It made them stand out. Then the Hamburglar furthered the idea in 1971 when he joined the McDonald’s universe. In my defense, I didn’t grow up in the states so how was I supposed to know?? Do you know this McDonald’s jingle? DIDN’T THINK SO! Jokes on him though, because I burglared tf out of his four bedroom house that very night.
Moving on…
Next up, we have “Where’s Waldo?” Remember Waldo? Wait, where is Waldo?
The red and white striped shirt with blue jeans bring back such a specific visual memory. Sometimes it’s harder to place, but add the beanie and there he is, instantly recognizable. WALDO! I’m not sure how relevant this reference is anymore but I saw a TikTok about it, so I will believe.
Okay yay for historical evidence! Now here are some more modern day examples of how to style your favorite stripes.
Clish clash, this woman is having fun!! And we love to see it. The stripe clashing works because the size of the stripes vary, differentiating them enough not to overpower the eye with too much of one thing. Plus the denim relaxes the outfit some.
Side note: vests are back in??
Look at this incredible styling of a rugby shirt. Move over soccer jerseys, give me a heavy cotton rugby shirt to get into it, thank you!!!
Lightweight beach stripes! These are so cozy for the beach. I need a vacation.
Staying with the nautical theme, look at this beautyy. Fancy rooftop pool party when?
I’m obsessed with this dress because it’s so clever and well designed! It combines the masculine bold stripes with the frayed edges to give it a more relaxed look. Then the line down the center offsets the horizontal emphasis of the stripes to bring it back to a more feminine look. And the low draped belt to lead the eye to the hips, or whichever part of your waist you personally want to highlight on your own body, is just perfection!! It’s hard to create shape with full body horizontal stripes, but somehow Proenza Schouler did it.
So to summarize:
- Avoid hats while wearing stripes unless you want to go full costume.
- Nautical themes and stripes pair very seamlessly. This probably has something to do with all the flags they use in maritime traffic.
- Relax those stripes, babes. Too straight and narrow makes me sad, at a certain point it starts to feel like an order. Luckily there are plenty of ways to loosen the outfit up through silhouette, fabric, fit, and color.
Okay I <3 you guys, gals, gays, and theys!! Now, I go move in silence for another two weeks in order to herd all the pieces of this business into place.
xoxo
Carson
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