Style Syllabus
Looks I used to hate but came to love: Skinny jeans, round frames, leopard &leggings
Aug 16, 2011 | 11:30 pm
(1) Denim on Denim.
(2) Popped collar, denim jacket.
(3) Leopard.
(4) Leggings.
(5) Round frames
(6) High waisted shorts.
Every few years, a thorough cleaning of your closet causes you to wonder, “What the hell was I thinking?”
Maybe finding a regrettable item reminds you of that dubious moment when you first saw a trend presented in a magazine, before it eventually snaked its way into your wardrobe.
More often than not, fashion trends are so flabbergasting when they first hit the mainstream that it takes our eyes repeat exposure to adjust to a look, much like they take time to adjust to darkness.
My most marked experience came when I moved to New York right out of college and landed a gig at Conde Nast's Italian Vogue. I always considered myself a fairly modern, sharp, stylish person, but I had no idea what sort of fashion fast lane I was getting myself into. None whatsoever.
(For the record, the @condenastelevator Twitter handle is no lie—silent judgement is routine. Gossip once doors close is expected. Bosses yelling at you about their plane seat assignments that you were somehow supposed to rearrange, on a fully booked international flight, is regular.)
My most marked experience came when I moved to New York right out of college and landed a gig at Conde Nast's Italian Vogue. I always considered myself a fairly modern, sharp, stylish person, but I had no idea what sort of fashion fast lane I was getting myself into. None whatsoever.
(For the record, the @condenastelevator Twitter handle is no lie—silent judgement is routine. Gossip once doors close is expected. Bosses yelling at you about their plane seat assignments that you were somehow supposed to rearrange, on a fully booked international flight, is regular.)
After many long and awkward stares in the hallways within—and on the sidewalks outside of—the Conde Nast building, I realized, "Holy crap, it’s 2005 and I’m still wearing boot cut jeans! I am undoubtedly the last person left on the isle of Manhattan wearing boot cut jeans!"
Trust me. Their pointed looks said it all.
I had not yet bought into the new "thing" introduced by the fashion industry called "skinny jeans." The peg-legged look wasn't flattering. They looked stupid. Their hips were out of proportion.
Fast forward six years: I’m now a skinny jeans-only girl, and I’m still not convinced boot cut jeans were ever a good decision. How that realization happened, I don’t know. (Oh, yes I do. It was when I was tired of everyone looking at me like I was an asshole.)
So what are other trends that I slammed so quickly and then came around to? It’s borderline embarrassing, but there are quite a few. And I don't think it’s because those-who-like-fashion are followers, per say; I think it's just that so many trends are impossible to envision at first, seeing as how we're introduced to them by way of a walking stick figure on a runway.
I had not yet bought into the new "thing" introduced by the fashion industry called "skinny jeans." The peg-legged look wasn't flattering. They looked stupid. Their hips were out of proportion.
Fast forward six years: I’m now a skinny jeans-only girl, and I’m still not convinced boot cut jeans were ever a good decision. How that realization happened, I don’t know. (Oh, yes I do. It was when I was tired of everyone looking at me like I was an asshole.)
So what are other trends that I slammed so quickly and then came around to? It’s borderline embarrassing, but there are quite a few. And I don't think it’s because those-who-like-fashion are followers, per say; I think it's just that so many trends are impossible to envision at first, seeing as how we're introduced to them by way of a walking stick figure on a runway.
Here are a few of the looks I used to love to hate—but now I just love.
1) Denim on denim
1) Denim on denim
Oh God. You mean a denim Tuxedo? Only images of a used car salesman in Kentucky on a Sunday eating fried chicken come to mind when you say that. When did I eat my words? Oh, just this past Tuesday at the office when I wore a dark denim button up with cutoff faded denim shorts.
2) Popped collars, jean jackets
2) Popped collars, jean jackets
I would cringe so visibly when my mother picked me up at carpool with her popped collars. I could only have been eight years old and I was already horrified by her tragic missteps. When did I eat my words? Probably the minute I started wearing jackets in a colder climate and wanted to immediately "chic-up" any outfit. Mother knew best.
3) Leopard
3) Leopard
I never thought I’d wear animal print unless I were a prostitute, and since that was never on the agenda, I’d had a rather animal-free wardrobe. When did I eat my words? Well just this week, I realized that my comfort level has grown so much so that I even have zebra stripes on my nails (thank you, Sally Hansen).
4) Leggings
4) Leggings
But you can see every nook and cranny! The whole thing! I recall being shocked by a friend in high school while accompanying her to Barnes and Noble in just her leggings and T-shirt. When did I eat my words? Oh, immediately—are you kidding? They are the most comfortable things ever. The only danger lies in keeping tabs on your waist line expansion over the holiday season, since you are never forced to come face-to-face with a button.
5) Round sunglasses
5) Round sunglasses
Formerly reserved for either Johnny Depp or an Olsen twin, I now think those who don round frames are of the most advanced fashion theorists. This one, to me, is still up and coming and I expect to see more and more. When did I eat my words? Last summer with a great $10 pair of A.J. Morgan’s.
6) High waisted pants or shorts
6) High waisted pants or shorts
Folks, I haven’t bought into this yet. I have the same aversion to them as I did to skinny jeans upon their arrival to the scene. Even the uber-skinny look plump “in that area.” I’ve tried it myself and subsequently laughed myself straight back into the closet to stop kidding myself and change swiftly into a perfectly restricting pair of leggings.
Other trends I'm hating right now?Lita shoes, tutu skirts, palazzo pants and shoulder pads. So, you can expect to see me in them next season.
