Last year during a pre-fall season
runway show, someone deemed leggings as being the season’s “key style trend”.
Since then, it’s been nearly impossible
to walk anywhere without seeing some middle-aged women sporting these
devastatingly age-inappropriate articles of clothing as a weak attempt to
re-define theier youth.
Although I realize this is California
and people can get away wearing more questionable ensemble than those residing
in the Midwest, it is never justifiable to look like a fashion nightmare. Normally
I’d commend someone for branching out and experimenting with a more au courant
style, but lately it seems people are willing to follow any trend, regardless of
whether the style is flattering for their body type.
Having the ability to wear spandex is
not a right; it’s a privilege. The truth is, spandex is hardly ever an
appropriate trend—unless you’re an eight-year-old girl.
Even with countless fashionable boutiques
like Sorella,
Mint,
Rumors
Boutique, and Mélange,
and the West Coast fashion capital, Los Angeles, just a couple hours away, San
Diegans continue to wear the tacky apparel they see in magazines. Take note: wearing
something expensive, name-branded or deemed “trendy” doesn’t guarantee an
outfit is in good taste.
Perhaps it’s the media’s fault for overloading
us with different magazines, tabloids, television shows and cable-network
channels geared towards explaining “what’s hot and what’s not.” Or maybe the
abundance of seasonal guides or “trend-musts” is just too much for people to
handle.
Regardless, as fashion styles continue
to become more farfetched, people seek to find the most questionable celebrity
ensemble out there and attempt to wear it themselves. It’s a fine line before
people lose all sense of good taste and pack their wardrobes with the ghastly
creations inebriated Hollywood A-Listers declare “stylish”.
The city of San Diego has a number of different places
where those seeking fashion sense rehab can turn to for guidance. Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Del Mar, and Downtown are filled with
dozens of stores for the fashion-crazed shopper. If you’re looking for
one-on-one attention, book an appointment at Fashion
Valley Mall’s Neiman Marcus.
The store has personal shoppers who will work to show you how different styles
and trends can be manipulated and work on different body types, regardless of
age.
The point is, something’s got to
change. The grotesque ensembles style-challenged celebrities wear shouldn’t be
embraced by anyone, at any age, at any time. Just because a style works on one
person doesn’t necessarily mean it will work on another.
Though it’s partly the fault of
fashion industries, people need to remember their bodies have changed over time—not
everything publicized by magazines or celebrities will work for them.San
Diegans should ask themselves whether their outfit truly screams “I have no
style, but this get-up was worn by someone very famous so I suppose it will
work for me.” If so, that’s not an excuse to wear it.
As Coco Chanel once said, fashion fades;
only style remains the same.
My advice: if you want to be considered fashionable
in San Diego, put down the US Weekly,
and stroll down Prospect Street in La Jolla
to learn how to dress with some taste and class.
