Vindicated!

Feather suede hippie headband

From an article posted in September 2008: Ugh. One of the worst fads of the late sixties/early seventies return: the hippie headband. From Urban Outfitters via Splendora.

Hippie headband, as shown on Beauty Counter

Now I've been vindicated by Beauty Counter, a blog from Style.com, "The Online Home of Vogue." Its article Reader Poll: A Word On Hippie Hair says:

It was definitely novel and unexpectedly chic for a little while (by which we mean approximately two to three years ago), but we’re of the mind that the whole string-across-the-forehead/feather accoutrement look is beginning to err on the side of played out, or just too mainstream for our liking. A bohemian declaration or a statement that simply says, “I bought these at Urban Outfitters and so can you”?

The return of hippie "chic"

One of the most distressing fashion trends (aside from Juicy Couture, baby doll tops, and leggings) is the revival of hippie "chic," if you can call it that. I've already written about hippie headbands.

In the late sixties, it was fashionable to bleach, patch, and embroider your jeans - and also to rip and fray jeans. Now True Religion has come out with its Bobby Destroyed Jeans.


Bobby Destroyed Jeans by True Religion

The price for these jeans is $240.00 (yes, two hundred forty dollars). This is ridiculous.

On the other hand, I like this adaptation of the fringed leather look:


cha cha Patience handbag from Lori Chalmers

The braided strap, semi-structured design, and dark blue leather give it class. It's from Lori Chalmers, an independent designer who's based in Toronto.

Absurd ...

I've written before about my pet peeve with the revival of hippie "chic," but this suede fringed pouch really takes the cake. At a cool $1,650.00 (one thousand six hundred fifty dollars), it's from Jimmy Choo. Can you believe it?

Juicy Loves Sephora / I hate Juicy

Besides hippie "chic," a pet peeve is Juicy Couture. Juicy's bags in particular are hideous: why one would want to carry a bag that screams "Juicy" is beyond me. Now Juicy has created a collection of cosmetics bags for Sephora.

Crowns and emblems have become cliche design motifs. The emblem with the schnauzers is not cute, but "cutesy," and overly precious.

Ugh. Go away, Juicy, just go away!