Nostalgia

In college, I used to work for the school newspaper as a fashion columnist. Dress to Impress was the name of my column. Juggling school work and undergrad rep duties, I still managed to write my little pieces on fashion. I won't lie that i love writing (in fact I hate writing), but when it comes to my favorite topic (yep, fashion) it's a complete different story. I always felt like a less glamorous Carrie. Few days ago i was going through my paper jungle to throw away bunch, i found a 2008 issue with my article. I never thought I kept an issue, so it was rather a pleasant surprise from my college past. So here it is,
***Dress to Impress: The tyranny of prices
After skimming through some lavish magazines to find out what is new this season, i came to one conclusion. The mouth-dropping clothes in Bazaar and Elle are so expensive you will never afford them unless you are a billionaire. The irresistible pink stilleto heels by Gucci cost $900 and the matching pink leather purse - another $1,400. Both come with a gaurantee that you will feel beautiful.
Then there are the avant-garde pieces that no one actually fits into or that simply cannot be worn to the supermarket. Think of extreme headgear by Christian Dior made of black chiffon that wrinkles in 50-degree weather or takes flight with the smallest breeze. Do you really want to be seen running down Gudeksky dr. in hot pursuit of your Dior hat?
But while the economy is in a downward spiral, prices for high fashion are showing no signs of going soft. It makes no sense that the average American earns $41,890 a year and a simple D&G purse costs over $11,000. Just to buy the whole outfit, including the accesories, will set you back $20,000. Not to mention the cost of the magazine itself, which in the case of a special issue can be as high as $49,00.
What is it about designer clothes that make us lose our minds? Is it the devilish creativity of the design? Their long closet-life? The designer's cult status? Whatever it is, the answer is a foggy one.
There are many solid brands that make stunning garments at affordable prices. The problem is they have not reached cult status yet. Are you willing to give them a chance, or would you rather spend two months of your income on a Chanel wallet that will surely go empty? Remember, you do not need to be a Hollywood star to create a trend. Everyone has a sense of style. Just show off your signature style and inspire the rest of us. But most of all, be artistic and have fun!