Author Topic: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear  (Read 5105 times)

MelMel

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Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« on: May 31, 2012, 05:44:46 PM »
If you've ever travelled outside of the South, you've probably experienced the feeling that everyone is staring at you because you're obviously not a native.  Or maybe I'm just paranoid and this is a thought that crosses only my mind.  Even if you haven't felt this way, perhaps you've been the one to spot an obviously non-jacksonville resident walking down the street.

Somehow every state and practically every city has a definitive style recognizable enough to spot most of the time.   Certain clothing items and trends thrive in places that others never catch on to (I mean, in what other state besides Florida can you spot someone wearing shorts in December?). 

Two of my coworkers and I were having a discussion about shorts that are on display at my job called "high rise cheeky short" (if the name doesn't give you enough of a visual on the length, think about shorts that not everyone would feel comfortable bending over in).  Both of the girls said they would never wear the shorts anywhere in Jacksonville but the beach, and one even said the only other time she'd wear them out in public is if she were in Vegas.

It makes me wonder what style items Jacksonville residents feel they can wear here more than anywhere else, and what they reserve for out-of-city excursions only.

Anyone care to share?

twojacks

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2012, 06:45:53 PM »
Definitely flipflops are the most iconic of Jacksonville's foot fashions.  I personally reserve them for cookouts and the beach, but never our to a bar or club....I wish everyone felt similarly:)

Ocklawaha

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2012, 09:15:00 PM »
If you've ever travelled outside of the South, you've probably experienced the feeling that everyone is staring at you because you're obviously not a native.  Or maybe I'm just paranoid and this is a thought that crosses only my mind.  Even if you haven't felt this way, perhaps you've been the one to spot an obviously non-jacksonville resident walking down the street.

I don't know (or care) about fashion's, my generation trashed every 'style' that came down the pike in complete revolt. But as for feeling out of place... Oh Yeah, I was once held prisoner-of-war in Fort Lee, New Jersey. My uncle General Nathan Bedford Mann was in charge of keeping Yankee's out of Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has gone to hell since Uncle Nathan died. LOL!

thelakelander

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2012, 10:13:42 PM »
I think "style" depends on the environment, crowd you hang with and age to a certain degree.  As a guy, growing up "across the tracks," it was and remains more preferable to wear more baggy clothing shirts than nut huggers.  However, working in a professional environment requires business attire, which is acceptable nationwide within that community.  Both are environments I'm very familiar with but polar opposites. 

During college in Tallahasse, attending a football game at FAMU was more of a fashion show than doing the same thing at FSU.  I suspect its that way at other HBCUs across the country as well compared to more main stream schools.  I remember people from the Midwest, NYC and DC  standing out during my school days.  During that time, it was funny seeing people wearing tube socks and timberlands in 100 degree Florida weather.  You could always tell someone from the south as well. 

As I've grown older, my priorities have changed.  In my high school days the only shoe brands I would wear were Nike and K-Swiss.  During college, tattoos and keeping a fresh set of rims on whatever I was driving were high priorities.  When I got my first job with a real salary, I went through a phase where all I wanted was Perry Ellis.  Now, none of these things are important to me. 

Personally, I've always had the attitude of not caring what others think and wearing whatever I feel physically comfortable in.  That means no tighty whities or skinny jeans for me.  However, excluding those, depending on the weather there's no telling what you'll find me in outside of office hours.  I can go from a full suit to a tank top only in less than 10 seconds.  I've rambled enough but I don't know if Jax has a specific style today.  I'd assume whatever crowd or environment one rolls in, that particular style is pretty similar in areas outside of the city that share similar demographics.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2012, 10:17:24 PM by thelakelander »
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danem

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2012, 12:08:44 AM »
Where I come from, the definition of "formal" is "wear socks"!  ;D

simms3

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2012, 07:54:21 AM »
I think typically the larger and more cosmopolitan the city, the more stylish it is.

I can comfortably say there isn't much of a "style" in Jacksonville aside from "preppy douchebag" in Ortega (think untucked Polo button downs and dark khaki shorts with Rainbow flip flops) and "hispter" in Riverside.  The beach is skimpy clothing or completely trashy clothing, and I see women around town with Lily Pullitzer knock off dresses.

I have long had a Bloomie's membership and buy most of my clothing there or at a local boutique for men called Drew Lewis (I can't afford the famed Sid Mashburn), and I feel pretty comfortable amongst my peers, but when I travel to DC, Boston, or Chicago I don't feel quite as stylish and I usually pick up on what's "in" from those larger more cosmopolitan cities (usually stuff I can't afford).

Jacksonville has a long way to go.  I don't see many/any men wearing what I would consider nice suits or quality casual wear or anything "stylish" or trendy.  You'll know that on the men's side you're approaching the next level when you get a Club Monaco and a Boss store and a department store that sells Theory, Varvatos, Jack Spade, Gant, Billy Reid and other brands (Steven Alan, Vince, etc).

I've also noticed that length of hair on both men and women usually corresponds to the local fashion level, with shorter ultimately signaling that people dress better and are more put together.  The one exception is Dallas where the women seem to all have really long hair, but I'd say there's a pretty high level of fashion there (albeit more colorful and a little different, but high fashion nonetheless).
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gjosephunf

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2012, 08:10:16 AM »
I definitely feel like I stick out at times due to environment. I've had a couple of looks and stares about a tank top that says "New York F***G City." To me I see no big deal, however to the good ole' boy types it seems to cause trouble since I oppose to conform. In the trendier parts of Jacksonville San Marco-Riverside-Avondale and certain parts of the beaches I feel a little more comfortable being trendy or edgy whether it's wearing colored denim or having ombre colored hair I sense it's tolerated more yet you hardly see it around. I do think local culture and accessibility to various types of clothing stores has a MAJOR influence upon a market.

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fsquid

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2012, 09:29:29 AM »
I'm just glad I don't have to wear a suit or tie down here

fsujax

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2012, 09:34:27 AM »
Nothing wrong with the laid back look. No ties to work and shorts and flops all summer long. If you dont like it too bad! move to a quote more cosmopolitan city.

fsquid

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2012, 10:20:27 AM »
Nothing wrong with the laid back look. No ties to work and shorts and flops all summer long. If you dont like it too bad! move to a quote more cosmopolitan city.

shit no, it's bad when my friends would dress up to go to the grocery store in Charlotte because they might see someone they know.

Ocklawaha

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2012, 11:40:55 AM »
I think typically the larger and more cosmopolitan the city, the more stylish it is.

I can comfortably say there isn't much of a "style" in Jacksonville aside from "preppy douchebag" in Ortega (think untucked Polo button downs and dark khaki shorts with Rainbow flip flops).

So THAT'S why I like Polo's and khaki's... Damn, who would have guessed. I haven't, however, been able to find rainbow flip flops, but that's okay 3 foot surgeries and I doubt I could wear them. I'm willing to try though if anybody know's where I can find some of those 'cool' Ortega shoes.

fsquid

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Re: Jacksonville's limits: what is and isn't OK to wear
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2012, 11:52:04 AM »
Is it bad that I have no idea what rainbows are?