Americans & Confused Style, Enter With Caution Options

[fameONE]

The three focal points in "high fashion" are primarily European stylings, traditional prep and, with the rise of hiphop, urban clothing. Though categorizing individualism makes no sense whatsoever, it is necessary in determining the elements that makes one's style completely unique. For those of us who can afford it, we have no problem latching onto a current craze (blazers with denim, pointed toed shoes with... everything, beanies with a built in bill, popped collars, etc, etc) to the given extreme. For those of us who can't, we're able to take a little and make it look like a lot. In this aspect, Americans are damn crafty in taking a given style and making it all their own, however, we've hit some turbulence.



I love Eurocentric clothing just as much as the next guy that secretly reads Details Magazine like a nun reads the Bible, but just because its designed by a given designer, doesn't make it classy or even stylish. What I mean is this eyebrow raising, sloppy, and poorly put together ensembles of high dollar clothing. A few months ago, I was walking down Hollywood Blvd to see a few dozen guys wearing variations of the exact same thing; linen button down that looks like it hasn't been washed in a week (or ironed; ever), low-rise, flat front jeans, no socks, and a pair of pointed toe shoes. Oh, lets not forget sunglasses so gaudy that KanYe West would be humbled.

As I continued to move toward my destination, I'm just in awe of the awful styling. Personally, I wasn't out to impress anyone. All I had on was a brown LaCoste pique, khaki shorts and a pair of brown/tan Nike Dunks. I thought that we all came to the conclusion that partially buttoned shirts that exposed chest hair was just plain tacky? We let it slide for Scarface because it was the 80s (and Tony Montana was THAT motherf**ker), but that was it. So why in 2006 has this style come back with a god damned vengeance? Oh, darn, that reminds me, its because of the Prada, Gucci, Armani and D&G ads that show this sort of lazy, scruffy bearded fashion as hip and trendy.

I'll pass; as should most self-respecting American males.



Personally, I don't have a problem with any given brand because if you're truly in touch with who you are and you have a complete grasp on your individual style, it doesn't matter what you wear. So if I rock an Abercrombie Rugby with a pair of Ezra's, white Dunks and a white fitted, it should go without saying that I'd make it look like another brand entirely. The preppy look is a traditional, conservative style that casually flaunts wealth with rich fabrics and a clean/pressed look. Since when did a ripped up polo and terribly destroyed jeans constitute preppy?

It doesn't. And despite the soaring sales, the marketing of sex to preteens and the constant lawsuits regarding racial incidents, it still doesn't constitute preppy. Why? BecauseThe preppy look is a traditional, conservative style that casually flaunts wealth with rich fabrics and a clean/pressed look. That's why. As I mentioned before, its all in how you rock your gear so take my next example in stride just like the first...

Laguna Beach, Cali is the epitome of rich, white and loving it. And for every outsider that happens to roll through there, we can all get a taste of a surreal luxury that only seems to exist when we watch poorly produced reality television. As another Devil Dog and myself strolled along the main street (looking for women/alcohol/both, of course), we walked by a group of twenty-somethings that looked like they robbed the store. Immediately, he started laughing, and I, well, all I could do was shake my head and mutter, 'to each their own.' Lets be real, though, it was sad. Jeans 2 sizes too long, dragging underneath a pair of leather flipflops, with holes in the legs that exposed so much that you could see the skidmarks in the guy's drawers. Don't even get me start on the polo that looked like it was screaming to be worn on a child and matted, sloppy hair.

Strike two, America.



I love hiphop. With that, I love the roots, the style, the elements and the international subculture that has embraced it. What saddens me is the misconception that hiphop inspired clothing is only for 'Black' people and anyone of another race that attempts to rock the style is trying to be 'Black.' Then comes the other problem, those that feel as though they need to justify the image of a thug (conjured up in their mind, of course) by following a few poor trends and wearing XXXLTALL tees with rhinestones on it and a 30 dollar grill in their mouth. Listen up kids, we can fix this riiiiiight about now.

Do your mother proud and act like you have some damn sense. Tall tees look like dresses. Grills are tacky and unless you have 50 grand to drop on one, let it go. No matter how you rock a fitted, make sure it fits. And most of all, understand that if you rock hiphop gear, you, without even understanding so, are representing hiphop. Don't make an ass out of yourself.

Overkill? Maybe. Do I care? No. Why? I know I'm right. You mad, doggie?!

[OhMyAnniee]

I never understood why people always see themselves as their own fashion icons. I mean, every fashion has in influence. Even simple things like layering shirts.

Anyways, I agree so much with the gigantic tshirts. They are ugly. Period. I saw guys at the mall with HUGE tshirts and then their pants were sagged at their KNEES. Literally. Like wtf?!

[synthase]

I never understood why people always see themselves as their own fashion icons. I mean, every fashion has in influence. Even simple things like layering shirts.

Anyways, I agree so much with the gigantic tshirts. They are ugly. Period. I saw guys at the mall with HUGE tshirts and then their pants were sagged at their KNEES. Literally. Like wtf?!

EXACTLY! ive seen tooooo many guys with their pants sagged TOO LOW, that you could see their toosh!
its getting annoying i'll say

[Smoogrish]

EXACTLY! ive seen tooooo many guys with their pants sagged TOO LOW, that you could see their toosh!
its getting annoying i'll say

Yeah, I asked my friend once why his boxers were up so high, and he was like "My pubic hair goes really high ". I wasn't sure whether to believe him or not though.

[moninja]

Yeah, I asked my friend once why his boxers were up so high, and he was like "My pubic hair goes really high ". I wasn't sure whether to believe him or not though.

no comment.
i hate how people wear those skinny jeans too. if you're chubby and stuff around your legs, DON'T WEAR SKINNY JEANS.

[mznikki]

i hate how people wear those skinny jeans too. if you're chubby and stuff around your legs, DON'T WEAR SKINNY JEANS.

OMG I KNOW I HATEEE THAT its distrubing

one guy that i used to go to high school with would always have his pants hanging low, so low that he'd pull them down and it would be his boxers fully pretty much and sit down my teacher would always yell at him pull his pants up, everyone would. and his pants weren't even baggy at all, and he'd wear a belt..wtf is the purpose of the belt if you're gonna wear your pants below your butt. and he'd also wear flip flops and not take care of his feet...eww seriously take care of yourself in general, but especially if you are gonna have em out in the open.