Trends we love to hate
April 9th 2009 09:47
We all know that much of what is paraded down catwalks is about art and expression, and sometimes it’s not really destined for those of us walking the streets. Yes, the in season colours and the gist of many a trend translate to the high street stores, but there are also those elements that, whilst they look great on Giselle, don’t really work on your friends, or on you, no matter how stylish you may be. And when someone does dare take the trend from the catwalk to the street walk, it becomes a trend we love to hate. I donned my gladiator sandals to take a look.
Obviously, my first gripe is gladiator sandals. Even if you have legs 3 metres long, these things just don’t quite work off the catwalk. Not that the fact has deterred many a wannabe fashionista dedicating that half an hour every morning to buckling all those straps the whole way up their legs. Sadly most of the girls who are getting about in these don’t have the legs required, nor do they walk with the required strut. And the length of the straps provided to cater for the non-supermodel pins most of us mere mortals have means many a flappy strap I see flopping about on the street. All round, not a good look.
Here’s another trend we all loved to hate…Remember when the catwalk tried to trick us all into wearing high waisted jeans? Yes, some high waisted trousers look hot, but they are tailored. The trend really didn’t work when applied to the denim in your local jeans store, and as a result many a female on the street was spotted sporting what one of my less tactful friends refers to as the “mum’s bum”. Again, when designers send those models down the runway, they’ve made those clothes to pretty precise specifications. Unless you intend to pay for the same level of detail in your high waisted jeans, stay away from them.
And I have to say the latest trend that I personally love to hate is harem pants. These have sparked debate everywhere, from people openly admitting they want to own them but know their partners will disown them (who says men have no fashion sense!) to women who are embracing the comfort factor and throwing style to the wind. Please see notes on gladiator sandals and high waisted pants above. This trend could possibly work if your harem pants are designed specifically for you, but buy them from your favourite chain store and chances are you’re going to look like a female mix of MC Hammer and a stand in for I Dream of Jeannie. Is that really the statement you were hoping for? I am guessing not.
All of these non-translatable trends that we’ve loved to hate also lead me to a very important question – where are the limits of fashion honesty? Do you tell a friend when they embrace a trend that shouldn’t have left the catwalk that they’ve made a terrible fashion faux pas? As a fashionista, do you owe your gladiator sandal wearing friend an honest opinion if they really don’t work on her? I know I have said before that style is in the eye of the beholder, but there’s a point where you have to draw the line and I think yes, you need to tell your friend if she’s crossed it. Trends we love to hate spark much conversation amongst pretty much every female you cross paths with – and in today’s metrosexual world, also many a man. If your friend really can pull off one of these trends, give her your full fashion support - the whispers will only be those of envy. But if deep down you know it’s just not working, try tactfully pointing out someone else wearing the trend you hate, before glancing at her own identical item and saying very genuinely, “oh…..I’m so sorry!”
Obviously, my first gripe is gladiator sandals. Even if you have legs 3 metres long, these things just don’t quite work off the catwalk. Not that the fact has deterred many a wannabe fashionista dedicating that half an hour every morning to buckling all those straps the whole way up their legs. Sadly most of the girls who are getting about in these don’t have the legs required, nor do they walk with the required strut. And the length of the straps provided to cater for the non-supermodel pins most of us mere mortals have means many a flappy strap I see flopping about on the street. All round, not a good look.
Here’s another trend we all loved to hate…Remember when the catwalk tried to trick us all into wearing high waisted jeans? Yes, some high waisted trousers look hot, but they are tailored. The trend really didn’t work when applied to the denim in your local jeans store, and as a result many a female on the street was spotted sporting what one of my less tactful friends refers to as the “mum’s bum”. Again, when designers send those models down the runway, they’ve made those clothes to pretty precise specifications. Unless you intend to pay for the same level of detail in your high waisted jeans, stay away from them.
And I have to say the latest trend that I personally love to hate is harem pants. These have sparked debate everywhere, from people openly admitting they want to own them but know their partners will disown them (who says men have no fashion sense!) to women who are embracing the comfort factor and throwing style to the wind. Please see notes on gladiator sandals and high waisted pants above. This trend could possibly work if your harem pants are designed specifically for you, but buy them from your favourite chain store and chances are you’re going to look like a female mix of MC Hammer and a stand in for I Dream of Jeannie. Is that really the statement you were hoping for? I am guessing not.
All of these non-translatable trends that we’ve loved to hate also lead me to a very important question – where are the limits of fashion honesty? Do you tell a friend when they embrace a trend that shouldn’t have left the catwalk that they’ve made a terrible fashion faux pas? As a fashionista, do you owe your gladiator sandal wearing friend an honest opinion if they really don’t work on her? I know I have said before that style is in the eye of the beholder, but there’s a point where you have to draw the line and I think yes, you need to tell your friend if she’s crossed it. Trends we love to hate spark much conversation amongst pretty much every female you cross paths with – and in today’s metrosexual world, also many a man. If your friend really can pull off one of these trends, give her your full fashion support - the whispers will only be those of envy. But if deep down you know it’s just not working, try tactfully pointing out someone else wearing the trend you hate, before glancing at her own identical item and saying very genuinely, “oh…..I’m so sorry!”
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Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
The great thing with fashion is that it comes and goes, so you won't have to be forced to endure her faux pas for too long. As you say, style is in the eye of the beholder anyway...