Written by Jon van Wyk
Once upon a time, in a land dotted with cargo shorts and oversized Hawaiian shirts, I lived in blissful ignorance of fashion. To say I had missed the style boat would imply there was even such a thing—instead, it was more like a rickety old bus that had broken down somewhere around 1997. Last Saturday, while sipping coffee and scrolling through Instagram, I had an epiphany: it was time to understand style.
Armed with nothing but a credit card and a misplaced sense of confidence, I set off on a journey of self-discovery at my local mall. My first stop (mistake), was a boutique aimed at tall skinny men, populated by beard wearing hipsters. As I entered, the warm glow of trendy lighting did little to calm my nerves, while the wafts of organic cotton clothing and citrus based aftershave only emphasised how out of place I was.
One of the hipsters looked up from his Mens Health magazine. “Can I help you with something?” He was immaculately groomed with a long beard and pomaded hair that defied gravity.
“Uh, I’m looking to… you know… style up,” I declared, trying to sound cooler than a polar bear on an iceberg.
“Great! What’s your vibe?” he grinned, clearly unbothered by my thongs and distinctly non-trendy dad bod.
“What’s a vibe? Is that…? Is that like a flavor?” I stammered, suddenly aware I was swimming alone in a deep ocean. He blinked at me, probably wondering how long I’d been living as a fashion hermit.
After several failed attempts to grasp various ‘vibes’—which apparently involved a lot of layers of linen and expensive shirts with inexplicably rolled-up sleeves—I decided to take matters into my own hands. I snagged a pair of skinny jeans, a leather jacket, and a scarf that looked like it belonged to a flamboyant 70’s singer. “If I can’t be stylish, at least I can look like I’m in a David Bowie tribute band!” I thought.
The following weekend, I was entertaining guests for lunch. Following their arrival, I strutted into my kitchen, proudly decked out in my new ensemble, only to be met with bemused looks from my so-called friends.
“Mate, are you… going to a concert?” The rudest one asked, mouth agape.
“Did you take a detour on the way back from the 90’s?”, another ex-friend piped up, “It looks more like you’re part of a cheesy, ‘90s boy band.”
With the raucous laughter of my friends echoing around me, I stood there, a garish beacon of a mid-life crisis I didn’t even know I was having, it became abundantly clear that style is an undefined concept that everyone seems to recognise, but few emulate. I also realised that I was cruelly taken advantage of by uncaring hipsters.
Retreating to my well-loved Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts, I was struck that the reality of style is that everyone has their own version of it. I’ve decided to stick with what makes me happy; oh, and I’ve decided to grow a beard …
Album of the month
‘Belladonna’ by Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks’ first solo album, “Belladonna,” released in 1981, marks a compelling blend of rock, pop, and mysticism that showcases her iconic voice and lyrical maturity. Opening with the haunting “Edge of Seventeen,” the album captivates listeners with its driving beat underscoring themes of resilience, love and renewal.
Collaboration with legends such as Don Henley enriches the album, particularly on the duet “Leather and Lace,” which highlights their harmonious interplay and the simplicity of love. Nicks’ lyricism shines through in tracks like “How Still My Love,” where her poetic imagery evokes longing and vulnerability.
The album’s production values allow Nicks’ emotive vocals to shine, while varied instrumentation across songs such as “Nightbird” and “The Highwayman” highlight her musical versatility.
At its core, “Belladonna” is an intimate journey that resonates with its listeners, exploring themes of empowerment, love, and sorrow. More than just a debut, the album solidifies Stevie Nicks’ status as a powerful solo artist. With its timeless expressions of artistry and emotion, “Belladonna” remains an essential listen.