Staying Holy

Once upon a time, clothes were made with the most precise straight stitching and were perfectly dyed one specific color to give it an elegant look; well those days are over. Although intentional distressing is far from new, the couture-like idea of it is an up and coming idea. Jeans were the first to be distressed and sold with intentional holes and rips, because a fashion forecaster must have seen many people enjoying the look of tattered clothing. Soon ripped jeans splattered with paint and oil stains were seen in malls everywhere, and everyone had to get a hold of a pair. Now Balmain takes the fashion reigns, and Christophe Decarnin of Balmain has become the king of couture ripping. Although Balmain's slashed t shirt may not be a suitable choice for most women unless they're daring, the look itself can transform a typical outfit into an edgy meets chic alternative. A less daring option from Balmain is their distressed jeans. The raw yet bedazzled look is another way to take the beaten path yet still obtain a look that would be suitable for strolling around the back roads in Paris. Balmain's most mainstream usage of distressing enters with a pair of distressed cropped army pants. With only one rip, and a few patches, the cropped pants can be worn on anyone without them even wondering if they have exposed too much. These pants can also be worn with virtually any type of shoe, whether them be boots, flats, or heels. While Balmain may rule the distressing couture universe, other designers have also but some of their input into bringing the rough back into fashion. Rick Owens introduced slashed cardigans this season that can revitalize any boring simple ensemble. Alexander Wang came out with a line of sweaters featuring tons of strategically placed holes, such as this white sweater. And Vince has a shredded cropped sweater that could bring attention to any respectable shopper. All in all, the classic style of keeping it simple and clean will always remain en vogue, but for now, the more holes the merrier.

-S