It’s that time of year again, when the rearguard fashion editor at LeftCenterLeft (i.e. me) takes on the worst fashion trends of the past year. And just to prove I’m not all piss and vinegar, I’ll include the notable positive trends, too.
Worst
Ponchos. I don’t know that I have anything to add to what Slate’s Amanda Fortini wrote, except to note that Burberry is public offender number one.
Red Sox Scruff. Yes, I know that the Sox are asserting their subcultural difference from clean-cut Yankees by not shaving and growing greasy, long hair. But it’s meant scores of Johnny Damon look-alikes around town, and in general just encourages a certain straight man in his slovenly tendencies.
Pastel ballcaps. Sox caps come in pink or kelly green now. I’m not a sports fan, but to support a team, isn’t wearing the colors part of the point?
Pouchettes. I’m against the trend of clothes that look they shrunk in the dryer, but these - the ones sized as clutch purses but meant to be worn over the shoulder with straps - are the worst. They look juvenile, like a little girl playing dress-up.
FCUK. You remember how sometime in the 90s you looked away one minute and Banana Republic was no longer making khaki-linen combos but sleek, Euro-architect wear? Well, when exactly did French Connection make its transition from A.P.C. knockoff and the sort of thing Parisians might actually wear to crappy logo shirts?
Uggs. Defamer has the ultimate rants against these roadkill boots.
Vera Bradley. Why are loud-patterned quilted bags in? They’re not aesthetically pleasing, they go with nothing, and they’re so obviously trend victim material.
Campers. When my hexagenarian boss is wearing these, they’ve officially jumped the shark.
LIVESTRONG. I know they’re for a good cause, but they encapsulate everything I hate about the American fashion ethos: the willingness to wear bright primary colors as marker of sporty masculinity, the acceptance of plastic in one’s wardrobe, the informality that would lead men to wear these with a suit.
Small hiking boots. I keep seeing men with small feet wearing big clunky hiking boots. It looks awkward. As a tall man, size 12, I know not to wear long, thin shoes lest I look like a clown. The reverse holds true as well.
Mesh tote bags. We don’t want to see your smelly gym clothes.
Best
Color. I groaned when I saw the Preppy Handbook revival everyone was peddling this last spring. Then I stepped back and marveled at anything that could get New Yorkers to wear something besides black and brown.
40s Revival. I like the new fall/winter coats for women: houndstooth, herringbone and tweed have been gone for too long, as have coats actually fitted at the waist so that people other than anorexics can be flattered by them.
French cuffs. A nice antidote to dress-down business casual.
Faux-nel. First it was women wearing tatty Chanel jackets. Then enterprising clothiers came out with Chanel knockoffs with frayed collars and unhemmed sleeves. Brilliant.
The return of Simplicity. I don’t know what Merimekko was thinking, but I liked it.
Stipey shirts. Paul Smith-y striped shirts are facing overexposure but with good reason: they make most men look better.
Diagonals. Another trend in Men’s shirts, only this one hasn’t been overdone yet. I’m not sure they work on everyone (me included) but it’s a nice way to add elan to dress-y casual shirts.
White formalwear. White’s back. I’m never one to take advantage of “creative black tie” but it’s nice to have options expanded.
Classic scarves. I see an increasing number of women, especially black women, on the T wearing lovely, classic scarves. After seeing scarves mostly on women who want to show off the Hermes ‘H’, it’s nice to see them warn for color and pattern instead.
iPods. I don’t want to like them, but they’re beautiful little objects.
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