For the Love Of Coco Chanel, Stop the Madness
When they brought back gaucho pants, I rolled my eyes, but held my tongue in check. I didn't say anything about the leggings with skirt phenomenon. I even remained silent in the face of the horror that is the skinny jean. But now, faced with the ultimate fashion insult from the 80s, I can be silent no more.
Seriously.
I walked into Elizabeth Noel, my favourite "just browsing" boutique. This is the store that makes me fantasize about Diva Girl's prom dress. The dresses run the gamut from sleek and modern to frothy fairytale romance, each one the epitome of class. Audrey Hepburn would shop in this store. Which is why I was shocked to see the satin abomination hanging on the wall behind the cash register. Audrey Hepburn would never, ever, wear a bubble skirt.
The bubble skirt wasn't a good look way back when my high school best friend wore it to the prom. It looked frumpy and silly and more than a little bit like you'd accidentally tucked your dress into your pantyhose and everyone was too polite or embarrassed to tell you about it. I know I sure didn't tell Wendy when she showed up proudly wearing her cutting edge of fashion monstrosity. I'm pretty sure I just focussed on how good her shoes looked.
Age has not improved the bubble skirt. I get that fashion trends are on an ever turning wheel, that there's a cyclical nature to what is considered high style. But while absence may have made certain designers' hearts grow fonder, I'm pretty sure any woman who lived through 1989 is doing an Edvard Munch impression as she contemplates the return of this piece of bunched around the knees lunacy.
Oh well, at least by the time I go back to Elizabeth Noel to begin negotiations with the Diva Girl over her first grown up gown, the bubble skirt will have returned to it's rightful place as an embarrassment stuck in the back of closets of another generation of girls. Poor things. But better their mothers than me.
Comments
My mom has this bubble dress that she loved so much. In the past we've been known to go find it and try it on just for giggles. When she sees me and my sister take turns trying it on she always says that back in the day she felt so hot when she'd go out wearing it. It was black and had bright hot pink and flourescent orange flowers around the bubble part of the dress. I can't imagine ever bringing something like that back in style unless it was meant as a costume.
You know, it strikes me that the eighties are the only decade thus far where people actively hated the clothing (aside from the late 70's, which in my head, counts as the eighties anyway)
Whomever decided ANY of it was attractive needs to be shot. It wasn't, and it isn't.
Hey Solo Mom! Been visiting your blog for a few days now. Just wanted to say I am relieved that the principal of your daughter's school is on your side. i know how devastating it can be for a young girl to be picked on like that. And you taught he a good reply - Kudos! Keep usposted on this.
Oh, I know! At least I won't be the only one shirking the upcoming fashion fads this season! I was shopping for some dress slacks yesterday and I was HORRIFIED as I slid into what looked like the perfect black pants. It turns out that they were an evil well-concealed pair of skinny pants. Who looks good in those things anyway? I will be wearing wide legs until I decide that I actually WANT my butt and hips to look atrociously large. This, of course, will be never.
