San Diego Opinions: Spandex is a Privilege, Not a Right

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.