I'm looking forward to reviewing the
high hats and regalia at tomorrow's
Easter Parade on Fifth. Fortunately
it starts down in front of St Patricks
and therefore will avoid parading by
Mrs. Trump's Secret Service goons.
I'm prepared to view far fewer frilly
frocks and flowered bonnets out and
about than last year. All because most
folks seem to care little about what
they wear. Thus I will be forced to
limit my optimistic outlook for jelly
beans and chocolate bunnies!
My dear friend "A" talks often
about how poorly people dress.
In our age of comfort, it seems
that we've lost all sense of style.
Nobody makes a statement and
within that context all one sees
are highs and lows. Apparently
the lows are quite comfortable
going to the grocer in pajamas
or finishing their eighth month
of pregnancy in size four yoga
togs. Is it that they don't care or
simply don't know any better?
If one wants to be inspired
you can hit Bergdorf's and
watch a select few spend a
fortune on togs. Within that
context, it's obvious that they
still care about how they look.
In Manhattan the norm is to
see young lads in skinny suits
of shiny sharkskin or some
shrunken derivative of Thom
Browne. Thus is seems that
at least a few boys dress for
success. And... it's works!
However, once you go far out to
the outer boroughs it all changes.
Suddenly one is far from dandies
and deep into duds. In the past
one's attire indicated a station in
life or where they were from. Now
it's impossible to tell who is from
Canarsie, Chicago, Chechnya, or
Caracas as you stroll Fifth Avenue.
Somehow fashion has become a
homogeneous mass of jeans and
tees. Sadly it seems that the world
has forgotten the role style plays.
Clothing if used properly can be
a powerful weapon. The perfect
dress can catch a man. A proper
pair of shoes can get you that job.
Whether we like it or not, first
impressions matter. Given how
people dress, do they plan their
ensembles? I carefully craft the
perfect outfit for an evening out.
What effort does it take to throw
on a pair of Levis and a novelty
tee? If they are putting thought
into it... what are they thinking?!
It's not for a lack of inspiration. Via
the web, one has instant digital access
to all sorts of fashionable education.
So, why can't anyone seem to know
how to properly dress? Once one exits
the borough of Manhattan, it's rather
tough to find anything chic . Most of
America has become an amorphous
stylistic mass. Such a pack mentality
means that one's friends and peers are
those who dictate how we dress. So,
unless you're George Clooney, if you
are wearing a suit - it's a sweat suit.
We all own our sartorial situation.
Being brave enough to risk looking
over dressed at a backyard barbecue
can inspire and educate. Putting a
bit of effort into one's ensemble can
elevate your office. The fact is that
fashion is a group activity. As long
as one is happy being a slob, those
nearby will be equally complacent.
Go ahead, strut your stuff and save
our world! This has been a public
service announcement from the SFA
(Save Fashion Administration.)
