In case I should ever climb to the status as the “go-to” girl in our city for fashion advice (instead of imagining it in my head) I like to have my answers well and truly prepared so as not too speak similar to that of a teenager's verbal spewing of “um” and “like”, over every, um, like, third word or so. To prepare, I pose questions to myself that I would ask of true international fashion gurus (yeah, I talk to myself, so what?). I recently asked a question of myself that was asked of my fave guru, Tim Gunn, and his co-stars on Bravo TV’s Project Runway.
“What are the top fashion faux paux’s being committed in these times?”
I was thrilled to find that Nina Garcia, judge on Project Runway and Editor-at-large for Elle Magazine, feels the same as I do about Crocs. I was so afraid to come out of the closet with my loathing for crocs because I am surrounded by them and feared being pelted with cheap plastic shoes. Now that I have Nina on my side, I feel safe. Crocs only look good on a toddler. I’m sorry if this hurts you and I know a friend of mine wears them and I’ve already bitched about fake Coach bags (which she owns), but please my dear….at least you are still among those I deem as “hip” and don’t wear “mom-jeans”, right?
Really people…crocs are not even a step up from $1 flip-flops. My boys ask for both and I refuse. I am a horrible ruler of my castle, very unfair.
Next, the bra strap. I am so full of glee that you wear a bra, but I don’t need visible proof of the fact. You don’t let your undies hang out (except those of you wearing skirts too short and I don’t have the space long enough for my rant about that tasteless act), so why must I view your other undergarments? Either purchase a bra made for the particular style of top you’ve chosen, wear pasties, or something! It’s really quite simple. If you must have a bra with straps, try to replace them with these blinged up straps so that it looks more like you meant to make a fashion statement, not that you didn’t care if your clothes look tasteful.
Molly Jaynes, in Lee’s Summit, is a past vendor at Haute Market events and carries a fab set of bra straps (featured in yesterdays KC Star Magazine by my friend, Heather Kraft-talk about a girl with taste). Get some, get something. No more ugly white elastic bands hanging out.
Lastly (well, lastly for right now…I’ll gladly carry on with more complaints another day) is the fake designer bags. I can’t let up on this one. Probably because it’s so prevalent where I live. I can only guess that it is because we have such slim pickings of designer bags, that women here aren’t exposed to enough of the beauty available out there. I’d venture to guess that 90% of the “coach” bags I see each day are fake. If you don’t want to spend money on a real one, please don’t go counterfeit. Buy an affordable bag that has some personality versus a poor copy. More about fake bags and how to spot them on our new discussion forum.
Moral of the story? Is there ever one with me? Just dress like you slightly put a smidgen of effort and thought into it.