Maybe I’m just getting old, but there are some trends I just don’t “get” or that I find a little rebellious. I know that sometimes, it’s because people are just following what certain celebrities (mostly musicians like Lady Gaga or her clone, Nikki Minaj), but sometimes, I feel that regular people who dress that way, especially on an every day basis are just trying too hard. Somehow, they forget (or don’t realize) that celebrities probably don’t dress that way on an everyday basis – especially if they’re not making public appearances. When Lady Gaga isn’t being Lady Gaga, but Stefani Germanotta (her real name), she’s probably unrecognizable because she looks like everyone else. This brings us to other trends that people are following (or have followed in the recent past) that bug:
Nail art on hands: It’s one thing to have it on your feet, but hands? Why? Sure, it can be pretty, but not only does it look unprofessional (no matter how professionally done it is), and unlady-like, but is more expensive if you get it done at a salon. I think the real reason why it exists is because the salons can charge you more. Runner-up: Green, blue and black nail polish.
Candy-coloured hair: This has been around for a while and enjoyed a big surge back in the mid-90s. I recall a bunch of girls a couple of years below me who came to school with blue or green hair, which greatly annoyed the administration – so much so that they added a rule in our dress code where students could not have a hair colour that didn’t exist in nature (it didn’t have to look natural on the individual, it just couldn’t be, say, green).
Flip-flops on the street: OK, so your family is from Hong Kong and you like wearing taw hai (flip flops). But do they belong at the mall? Nope. If you don’t see people in the old country wearing taw hai outside of the home, beach or pool, then you can’t do that anywhere in the world – especially the office or at a place of worship. Tied with: Crocs.
Orange skin and bleached blond hair: This goes together because it’s often seen together. Maybe it’s because I come from a culture that still prizes staying out of the sun (or at least, covering up), but how do people not realize that it looks gross? We can tell that your tan isn’t natural (nor is your hair) because that colour that you have doesn’t exist in nature. Why do you want to look like a blonde Ernie (from Sesame Street) anyway?
Super-high heels: I realize that many of us petite girls want to look tall, but c’mon! Five inch heels? Don’t you worry about falling? Or your feet hurting? Besides, how do you walk? I like my heels too, but most of my shoes are around three inches, maybe a little higher if there’s a platform, but definitely not five inches or higher. Besides, it doesn’t exactly look all that lady-like or professional (unless your profession involves something else).
People who think proper/classic=”boring”: This is more of a “we don’t quite get what you mean” sort of thing. Why is it boring? Is it really all that better to be funky? At least “proper” and “classic” works well regardless of age. You don’t really want to look too odd if you’re, say, 50. It’s okay to have a certain style that makes you stand out or is your trademark (think Anna Wintour and her glasses), but to say that knee length skirts with cardigans and pearls=”boring” is just sad. We need more properness and lady-like looks in the mix. If we only equate funky to interesting, fashion will always be for the young. If we want age diversity, classics need to be mixed in, too.
Honorable mention: Printed pants. Most people can’t pull it off.
Image credits: Nail art: MaxkateUSA/Shutterstock; Flip flops: pukach/Shutterstock; High heels: Forewer/Shutterstock
