Otago (Lack of) Fashion

Ok people. I feel that the need for this is so great that I might explode. Melodramatic? Possibly… discuss. But I have never felt such a strong urge to perform a What Not to Wear massive makeover on the University of Otago (or anyone/ where for that matter) as I did this morning when I saw a girl wearing black, saggy, velvet-ish leggings under her black skirt... Seriously! Sadly those that need to read this will never see it. First off, everyone has the identical Indie rock look, very popular 2 years ago in the States. Which is fine! I love that look. HOWEVER! Not everyone can wear the same thing. It’s painful. People do not understand the concept of dressing to flatter your body type here. Its called style Otago!!! And I would love to help you out with it. I would like to begin with the “don’ts" of the fashion here in general...

DON’T!:

• Wear velvet or velveteen that covers a large part of your body! That includes leggings, dresses, shirts etc. There are a few exceptions, such as nice velvet jackets for men and certain dresses for certain women. But even then! Just steer clear for now Otago.
• Wear acid-washed… anything! There is a reason that the trend died in the 80s
• Wear all black! If you are not out on the town in a classy black dress, in mourning or in a stage-crew for a show, there is no reason for you to do this to yourself. Please slap some color on yourself, a pattern or textures. It’s really not that hard. If you don’t do this, people begin to realize that you are indeed wearing 3 or more different shades of black and what exactly you are trying to hide under all of that black. For goodness sake, just head over to my flat and I’ll hand you a pair of happy jewelry or a bright scarf or a cute cardigan to bring attention to your beautiful glowing face. My roomies and I feel like aliens with all of the color we wear; which really isn’t THAT much. Click HERE to read about my flatmate's sadness with the monochromatic lives of Kiwi university students
• Wear the same clothes as everyone else! Now this may sound like common sense, but here in Otago apparently it is not. Your clothes, to some degree, are an expression of yourself, an extension of your personality and self-value, if you will. So when you dress the same as everyone else it really doesn’t look good. Also ladies that are 100 pounds and ladies that are over 160 cannot wear the same thing. Even ladies that are the same weight with different body types cannot wear the same thing. Its common sense people
• Wear a rat-tail or mullet! Gentlemen, you are not Anakin Skywalker or Obiwan Kenobi, and as stated earlier, the majority of trends in the 80s ended for a reason. This is one of those trends.
• Wear gross clothes! Ok that was a joke (kind of). But while we’re at it, it doesn’t hurt to wear something presentable every now and then young men. Good jeans and a nice sweater, or a nice clean t-shirt, or even rugby polo is probably easier to put together than stubbies and a zip up topped off with a puff jacket. Just a suggestion. I will gladly go shopping with you if you need help. Men’s styling is my favorite thing to do. If you need a suit/ dress clothes take me with!! Haha. The styling assistance is extended to all of my male friends as well; I will gladly help you shop for clothes when I get back to the States. I love it. Seriously.
• Wear ripped tights/ leggings/ stockings/ nylons!! That’s pretty self-explanatory. It just looks tacky ladies.
• Be sad! There is fashion hope for you yet! You are only in college after all, and will realize after some traveling that your country is about 3-4 years behind Europe in fashion and 2 years behind the States. I cannot blame you though; you get all of the pop culture shows and visual representations of culture about a year after they happen. But then I hope you realize you should dress for yourself, in a matter that flatters your body.

On a positive note, I would like to end with the fact that I have hope fashion (and just personal style in general) will improve. And as a disclaimer I have seen a few women on campus and in town with impeccable style, but those are rare beacons of light. Anyways! I feel like this was a long rant on fashion that really doesn’t apply to many of those that read this blog. But in the mean time, check out GFY for fashion mishaps/ flawless victories on red carpets and social events around the world.

Ciao!