Lame fashion trends make Editor angry

By Erin Brodbeck
Collegian Editor
October 17, 2007

The way I see it, you are what you wear. When you walk out of the house/dorm wearing a La Salle sweatshirt and basketball shorts with flip-flops, you’re saying, “Hi, I overslept and didn’t have time to put on anything that looks halfway decent. How are you?”

If you’re clad in business pants and heels, the message sounds more like, “What’s up, I want to be CEO of a Fortune 500 company before age 25, don’t you?”

OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But it’s a proven fact that people judge each other based on the way they look, and the way you look includes the outfit you’ve assembled for yourself. So I’m here to say: Choose wisely, because the day you give in to one of the many fashion no-nos I’m about to list will be the day you miss out on that job you’ve always wanted because your potential boss loathes the whole Ugg-boots-and-a-miniskirt combo.

Now, I’m not trying to say I’m some sort of fashion expert fresh off the pages of Vogue or Elle (although sometimes I’m sure even those guys have no idea what they’re talking about), but I’ve been told that I know how to throw an outfit together. You don’t need a ton of money, or a wardrobe that consists only of pricey haute couture staples to get by.

I credit my fashion know-how to Clarissa Darling, my childhood idol from the Nickelodeon TV show Clarissa Explains it All. We all fondly remember Clarissa for her outlandish ensembles that usually included loud tights or leggings and dangly earrings. I learned from Clarissa that getting dressed in the morning is supposed to be fun.

So, fashion tip number one is: Don’t be afraid to get a little creative. There’s nothing that pains me more than seeing guys and girls walking around in plain jeans and a plain shirt or sweater. It’s hard enough to stay awake in class, let’s give people something exciting to look at.

Now, staying away from plain, boring clothes doesn’t mean embracing every trend that comes along. There are so many ways to commit a fashion faux pas these days, and it takes a real expert to pick and choose which fads to follow. Currently, there’s nothing I hate more than baggy, unflattering maternity shirts that some ladies like to wear over leggings. The look went sour last fall, and I think it’s time we stepped up our game and branched out a bit. Wear leggings with a cute dress instead, or put a long cardigan over your favorite mommy-to-be blouse.

I feel like I shouldn’t have to name any of the following fashion violations, but walking around campus day-to-day, I’ve noticed that La Salle is still home to many offenders of the following: Wearing Uggs with, well, anything, Crocs, plaid capris worn with a matching T-shirt (hello, golf mom?), popped collars, denim mini-skirts with leggings and studded belts. Have any of these items in your closet? I’m not telling you to throw them out, because we know most trends come back eventually, but pick up a fashion mag or two and launch yourself into 2007. Me and all the other judgmental fashion snobs on campus will take notice.

brodbecke1@lasalle.edu