Stacking the Deck and Your Wardrobe
Stacking the Deck and Your Wardrobe
By: Hailey Layne
War, spoons, and crazy eights are not part of the terminology typically used in the fashion world, but card games have always been a source of inspiration. In each pack of 52 cards, there are characters whose garments and styles are distinct cultural icons. Bringing a humble deck of playing cards to life can serve as a foundation for a captivating wardrobe collection.
The star of the catwalk (or deck) is the Queen of Hearts. Traditionally wearing a flowing robe or dress featuring multiple patterns, she disregards petty rules about mixing colors and prints. With boldness, she rules over the court. The Queen has colored characters throughout literature and film with her classic look. In 2018, Dolce & Gabbana honored the monarch by structuring their spring collection’s runway show around her majesty. There were countless textures, ranging from sequins to feathers, which stayed true to the theme. The headpiece was a central element throughout the show, transforming the traditional idea of a crown into something more organic. The Designers used floral components to weave together headpieces in the opening line-up. As rock music blared, royal jewels were featured in heavy gold pieces accented with garnet and onyx draped the models. The Queen of Hearts was personified through the eye-catching display. When thinking of the Queen’s wardrobe, most would assume that only dresses would be present in Dolce & Gabbana’s showcase, but sharp-edged suits and functional slacks pointed towards the multi-faceted nature of fashion and the Queen.
Surveying the deck as a whole the majority is made of patterns and shapes that are replicated to adorn nature, architecture, and clothing. Despite the contrasting colors and various numerical quantities represented, the deck still looks put together and uniform. The mixing of patterns is not always something that should inspire fear within our closets and mirrors. An element to keep in mind is the balance between patterns. Knowing when an imbalance exists is the key to restoring balance in life and in fashion. Without a multitude of patterns, wardrobes everywhere would be much more boring.
The ties among a deck of playing cards and fashion may seem like a reach, but there are three main points as to where the two converge. A good game of cards turns strangers to friends in the same way a conversation sparked by a beautiful accessory’s history can. The power to bring people together is represented by both entities. The somewhat bold color choices in a deck of cards could be daunting to incorporate into one’s wardrobe, but take it from the royals that contrast is not always bad. Without a little contrast, we would all look the same. Finally, as a parting gift, the deck has affirmed the idea that a lucky outfit can make or break the day.
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