Olympic Fashion Faux Pas

Ok, confession time: I love the Olympics.

I don't know why. I can't stand watching most sports and though I'm a regular at the gym and do yoga twice a week, I have zero interest in athleticism and even less so in patriotic pride.

Maybe it's the high emotions. Or maybe it's the fashion faux pas.

Ill-fitting retro jackets? Faux Pas.

I have grimaced every time a Canadian has stepped onto the podium. Sporting that ill-fitting quilted jacket and topped with an unshapely red and white toque, each medallist has struggled to raise their arms above their heads. And I bet they're all made in China, too. Such a shame...


Cultural Appropriation? Faux Pas.

As a closet-ice-dance-lover I was rendered speechless upon seeing the outfits sported during the "Original Dance" whose theme was "Folk Dance". Apparently cultural-appropriation is the look du jour when the whole world is watching.


I have no words for this. And this is the supposed improved version after they offended Australian aborigines with their brown-face and extra ridiculous "war paint" markings.

Faux Pas or the bleeding edge of stylish?

Love 'em or hate 'em, atleast Norway's curling pants are interesting.


Australia gets my vote for best speedskating garb, though an honorary mention goes to Japan's blingin' gold and black.




Stylish bling. Never a fashion faux pas.

On the positive side, some respectful nods go to the artwork. I'm loving the wooden podiums by James Lee & Leo Obstbaum.


And the medals, designed by Corrine Hunt and Omer Arbel, are a design first.

The medals are unique, and not flat, two firsts for Olympic medals. Each medal is a piece of a larger artwork, and the waves represent that breathtaking BC landscape.

The September Issue: Passion for Fashion at Montreal Geek Girl Dinners this Wednesday!

The second half of Montreal Girl Geek Dinner's "September Issue" (focus on fashion) is taking place this Wednesday at 7pm at Station C.

Aleece Germano of S.W.A.P. will be joining me to talk about conscious consumerism, buying local and helpful fashion tips and faux-pas for fashion newbies. It'll be fun and we'll head to the Sparrow for drinks afterwards!

You can read more about the event here at Montreal Girl Geek Dinner's blog.

When: 7 pm on September 16th, 2009
Where: Station C, 5369 Saint-Laurent #430 [map]

RSVP using the Facebook event page here .

Faux Pas: Is your purse too big?

I passed a woman on the street a few weeks ago whose purse was - without exaggeration - larger than her torso. A small lady to begin with, the bag completely dwarfed her and I had to suppress a giggle.

I love big bags as much as the next girl, but there is a limit. Too big and it's bad for your back, looks ridiculous and makes it impossible to find your keys/bus pass/lip balm.

In this time of economic restraint, let's exercise a little of it on our purse size.

Faux Pas: Nylon Tote

Why must I see this bag slung across the shoulder of every other woman walking down the street? I refused to acknowledge the trend when it surfaced a year ago but things have gotten to the breaking point - Ladies, are we merely sheep to the fashion industry? Do you not realize you are all walking around with the exact same bag, which in and of itself is as boring (and sure, functional) as a black t-shirt?
I'm not pissing on all nylon totes - in fact I have seen this bag as a great men's briefcase, and it can be stunning in all leather - they are super functional, go with everything and are the right size. But if you're gonna tote one around atleast pick one that is interesting: choose one with a pattern, nicer material..or double the functionality with a solar panel tote!
Or scrap the tote completely and order a local hand-made bag from MIR-Handbags instead.

Faux Pas: Big Ol' Retro Spectacles

I shouldn't even have to say this. Those big ugly eyeglasses from the 80's that you hipsters are (still!) wearing? STOP. Dudes and Ladies: these suck...okay? There is a reason no one makes them anymore. If you want big, do the Buddy Holly look or something.

However, since this blog post isn't gonna make these go away, I wish I'd kept my ugly-ass glasses from when I was a kid so I could resell them.

pic from www.sleeknchic.com

Faux Pas: Spandex Leggings

It's bad enough that three years ago, it become perfectly acceptable to wear tights as pants. But seriously, people, what is up with the shiny spandex version that tweens are wearing like gang colours?! I took a flight over the holidays, and there were SEVEN girls who were all wearing the shiny black spandex leggings from the infamous AA. So far, I haven't seen anyone wearing these fantastically ugly ones but when I do (or you do) I will make sure to share.



Ugh....shivers.