Wintertime Blues and Greens and Yellows and Pinks...

With winter just days away, I ponder upon the notion of seasonal clothing. Why do fashion designers and media tell us to wear clothing to match the landscapes?

Fall clothing is usually burnt oranges, mustard yellows and browns. Winter clothing is usually black, navy and grey. I have lived in climates that reach the below zero temperatures and the skies are grey and cloudy for several months. As a result of the dreariness, I became susceptible to depression and lack of energy. I blamed it on lack of color.

I have researched this phenomenon and found several studies about wintertime blues and the lack of color. Albeit, these studies explain a serious mental disorder and obviously there are other symptoms involved, but I would like to take this opportunity to challenge fashion designers to offer brighter, happier colors in their winter collections. In the past, cold weather clothing made of wool or cashmere was only available in dark or dull colors. I have noticed a slight increase in brighter colors in these fabrics over the recent years but I think the fashion industry only wants to encourage the use of color by adding accessories- just a little bit to "make it pop" as the phrase goes.

I do not live in that cold climate anymore. I reside in a much more even tempered environment that will let me wear more choices of clothing and fabrics year round. For this I am grateful- but it doesn't stop the window dressers at the local mall from outfitting the mannequins in black and grey. So my advice to those with a craving for color in the winter is: wear weather appropriate clothing in any color, shade,pattern or fabric.

Yes Virginia, there is a cure to the wintertime blues.

The Law Of Clothing

May 5, 2010

Society as we know it has the freedom to wear pretty much what he or she wants to. There are exceptions where fashion is not a freedom and laws do govern how we wear clothing. There are some strict guidelines in some cultures and religious sects. For instance; Islamic culture requires women to wear a burqa, a head to toe enveloping outer garment worn for the purpose of hiding a female's body when out in public. Nuns and Monks are required to wear habits as their daily wear. For the most part, these examples can be said that they are a person’s freedom to choose as well. She chose to be a Nun; therefore her clothing depicts her choice.

I would like to be perfectly clear on this subject. I am not disputing or debating the rules of fashion: “Can’t wear white after Labor Day” or “Women over 30 shouldn’t wear mini skirts”; I’ll leave that to Stacy London and I am not wanting to discuss freedom of personal attire. Let’s talk about laws for a moment. There are several laws or ordinances on the books right now concerning fashion. They currently may not be enforced; but, there was a time and a thought behind them for lawmakers to think that they were necessary.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND- it is illegal for a woman to be topless in public unless she is employed in an exotic fish shop.

JAPAN- It is illegal to wear purple unless you are in mourning.

THAILAND- a man must always wear a shirt if he is driving.

OREGON- Women must not wear see through clothing in the presence of a man.

CARMEL, NEW YORK- A man cannot be seen in public while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match.

FLORIDA- Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.

NORTH DAKOTA- It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.

OHIO- Women are forbidden from wearing patent leather shoes, lest men see reflections of their underwear.

OKLAHOMA- If you wear New York Jets’ clothing, you may be put in jail.