Fashion Subcultures

October brings a chilling touch of magic as the spooky season unfolds, and this year, Melrose offers an impressive selection of horror-themed graphic tees that will delight fans of fright. From the whimsical charm of "The Nightmare Before Christmas," perfect for those who prefer a lighter take on horror, to the spine-tingling presence of Michael Myers from the legendary "Halloween" franchise, there's something for everyone.

This week, we're excited to share creative styling tips to help you showcase these standout tees with flair. Whether you're drawn to a grunge aesthetic that embraces edgy, laid-back vibes or want to channel a rock-inspired look that exudes confidence and attitude, these graphic tees are versatile pieces that elevate your wardrobe. Characters featured are Chucky and Michael Myers. Read on for inspiration that will help you embrace the haunting spirit of the season while keeping your style fresh and trendy. 

Leopard print has emerged as one of the most prevalent trends in fashion, making its mark on a wide range of items, from faux fur jackets to bandanas. Its influence has even extended to the realm of fitness (I personally witnessed a gym bro wearing a bandana). This striking and attention-grabbing print has experienced a resurgence, gaining prominence in retail outlets and various social media platforms, particularly following a year dominated by minimalist fashion. The print carries many connotations, symbolizing everything from royalty and status to, in some instances, being associated with a less favorable "trashy" aesthetic. To understand the significance of leopard print, it is essential to explore its historical symbolism in the fashion world, tracing its roots from ancient Egypt to its contemporary association with the "mob wife" aesthetic.

Nowadays, fashion has become an integral part of creating a unique identity and personal brand. However, to understand the history of fashion as a cultural identity, we delve into the post-World War II era: the 1950s. During this period, America was engaged in the Cold War with the Soviet Union and actively fought against communism. The civil rights movement, which aimed to secure equal rights for African Americans, was also in its early stages. One of the most significant events during this era was the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case 1954. This case declared that the segregation of black and white children in separate academic spaces was unconstitutional. One of the most influential generations was born: the baby boomers.

In pop culture, televisions became widely affordable to the average American household, leading to the emergence of the Golden Age of Television. Iconic shows like I Love Lucy and The Twilight Zone captured the imagination of audiences across the country and significantly impacted popular culture. Teen rebellion was established, with youth culture identifying more with pop culture than their social class. This was influenced by the emergence of rock and roll music and fashion, which would evolve over many decades in historical events and significant cultural shifts. Read on and indulge in the spirit of rock and roll and see what modern looks you can put together at your local Melrose store.

The fashion industry is dynamic and ever-changing, with trends constantly shifting and evolving. While some styles come and go quickly, others have the power to endure for decades. Recently, we have seen a resurgence of fashion trends from the 70s, with flared pants, bold prints, and platform shoes making a comeback. However, the appeal of vintage fashion doesn't stop there. In the current fashion landscape, there is a growing interest in the fashion of the 1960s, with crochet clothing proving to be one of the most in-demand items for the upcoming spring season. This trend is expected to continue well into the summer of 2024, with many designers and retailers incorporating crochet garments into their collections. 

At Melrose, we have grown a small crochet clothing collection with varieties showcasing dresses, two-piece sets, and tops. Some pieces are more simplistic in pattern and design than others. This week, we want to share a few of our crochet pieces for juniors, ladies' extended sizes, and women's shoes while educating more about the crochet trend and its role in culture from the past to the present. 

People who are active or don't want to change clothes for different parts of their day can turn to the athleisure fashion subculture for tips and tricks. Living in the post-pandemic world and an unpredictable economy with everything being more expensive, athleisure is a suitable, casual, and affordable versatile subculture that is multi-use for various occasions throughout the day. Athleisure includes pieces like yoga pants, biker shorts, and sports bras. Whether you're one of the lucky people to work from home, the morning yogi who goes for brunch after an enlightened beginning to her day, or a young student, athleisure fits everyone at all stages of life for comfort and sport. Look at three My Melrose athleisure outfits for summer by reading more below.

Welcome back to the Melrose blog, where we always have something interesting to share with you. This week, this author shows her skills by tackling a challenge; dressing models in all pink to present another fashion subculture inspired by pop culture icon Barbie. That's right, hot pink, sophistication, and heels rule the Barbiecore world. Represent the Barbie brand and build a wardrobe of feminity and perfectly arched feet. This is part of the new Barbie movie's message starring Margot Robbie. Greta Gerwig's vision of Barbie showcases diversity while preserving the Barbie brand's legacy and authenticity. Take some fashion inspiration from your friends at My Melrose by checking out the creations below.

We're back FINALLY with a new fashion subculture article; the groups that are defined and organized with particular features of appearance that make their taste distinctive from all others, and what we have at My Melrose and Melrose Family Fashions for you to explore and create your outfits. This week we blend two fashion subcultures with a fine line dividing them; purpose over preference. Minimalism and the clean girl aesthetics are topics this author looks forward to explaining and expanding upon. Read more below and view our five styled looks with examples of other ways to put pieces to go together.

"Chill time" doesn't have a dedicated date on the calendar. Instead, we all find ways to have a good time and escape from our routines. With the weather warming up, fun and exciting events start to pop up, like Coachella in California, Lolapalooza in Chicago, Fiesta in the My Melrose headquarters city of San Antonio, Texas, and so much more. This week, we want to talk about festival fashion derived from the mainly bohemian style and more vibrant and colorful inspirations for events like Fiesta. 

With nostalgia as the key theme for fashion; this week we take it back to a pivotal era of world history that pushed the Civil Rights Movement, rose rebellion to the Vietnam War, ignited the second wave of the feminist movement, highlighted the Watergate scandal, and brought awareness to environmental issues. Light up your earthy incense, plug in your lava lamps, brush your long feathery hair, slide off your platform shoes and sink into your plush papasan chairs for a trip to the 1970s.

Education is redefined with the traditional method of learning uprooted and mixed learning methods part of the norm.  Going back to school looks different for everyone; that includes their fashion. My Melrose features a back to school fashion subculture inspired by the classic Greek arts, education, philosophy, and gothic elements. This fashion subculture is known generally as academia.