I was reading one of my favourite blogs, Garance Doré, and came across her post outlining the incredulity and shock she experienced when she found herself waiting in line to buy a pair of “dreaded” Uggs… “Those weird cartoon boots that make your feet look enormous and end up all deformed like some kind of helium inflated sock. Those hideous winter things that people wear in the summer. Those brownish, post-adolescent uglies that people wear to be like everyone else.” OUCH. Admittedly, I have owned several pairs of Uggs in my lifetime. Ok – they aren’t Loubs, but they were just too snuggly to pass up. No regrets.
Her post got me thinking though – what trendy items would I never be caught dead wearing or found too ugly to wear in public, but passable enough to wear at home (and possibly torture my husband)? For example, while at home, I wear threadbare leggings as pants, I have been known to wear a Bonnebell lipsmacker necklace and t-shirts with lettering so big stating groundbreaking proclamations such as “….but first, coffee.” I know that these items are bad because I won’t even wear them to go outside and fetch the mail.
Well – after some careful thought and worry about offending a huge amount of people (I’m sorry!), I offer you my list of things I refuse to wear past my front door. And remember, just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s bad. Just because I look like I have a black snowman on top of my head when I attempt a sock bun, doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be banished of the face of the Earth others can’t pull it off.
Uggs
They are warm, snuggly and brilliant…for surfers. Are you a hot, shaggy-haired Australian toting around a surfboard on a chilly morning on Bondi Beach? No? Then get a real pair of boots. Get a pair of boots that do not make you look like Big Foot. Get a pair of boots that do NOT do this:
Giant Logo Shirts
Enough already! So boring. You did NOT wake up like that! And why can’t I sit with you?? Mean girl!
Platform Sneakers
I will be the first to admit that I wanted a pair of those Isabel Marant wedge sneakers sooooo bad when they first came out. Then, everyone and their dog started designing them, and…sigh…we ended up with these:
Daytime Pyjamas
Wearing pyjamas (and rumpled sweats) out of the house screams “I give up”. A talented and clearly bored designer with “designer’s block” came up with pyjamas suitable for daytime wear that cost the same as six-month’s rent. He got rich and we got punked.
Sandals My Dad Wears
Ok – I know some fashionistas who can pull these off really well…but they pair them with clothes that are to die for. Not everyone styles these well, therefore ending up looking like a resident of Del Boca Vista, Florida’s Premier Retirement Community.
Any trends you despise? Please let me know in the comments! I died laughing when one of my best buddies told me that she hated “statement necklaces because they make your head look like it’s being served up on a platter!” OMG!
xo,
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
I’m so glad you brought up daytime pjs….the WORST!
Author
Thank you! LOL! How the hell do you wear those without looking a tad like an escaped mental patient?
Thanks for making my day! This was HILARIOUS. I can’t think of a unique trend that I can’t stand, but those high heeled sneakers are definitely on my list. On a side note, my man bought me some fake Uggs ( i call them fuggs). I’ve had them for two years now and I LOVE them. They’ve held their shape (they are wedge boots) and they are so cozy and honestly they look cute with the right sweater. I think the trick was buying a fake pair for under 50$. hahaha. Have you ever noticed every once in a while you find that gem at Target that everyone thinks cost you a fortune but really it didn’t? Love! (do you have Target in Canada?)
xoxo
http://www.quintessentialjill.com
Author
I LOVE TARGET! We had Target here, but it didn’t do well as they only stocked less than half of the amazing stuff that the American Target gets. So sad! And yes – I used to shop at Target frequently. While we rarely got any of the cool designer collaborations you guys are privy to, we would get some amazing pieces. The prices were so good! I am the proud owner of three pairs of Ugg boots. You can’t beat how comfy they are! Thank you so much for reading, Jill! Hope you are well! xoxoxox
I 100% agree with the Uggs! I like the printed ts (guilty!)
Author
I’m guilty as charged too. I just caught a glimpse of myself at home in a mirror wearing my stained “but first, coffee” shirt and thought: “This shirt sucks.” LOL! In the end, who cares? Wear what you want. See you tonight!
Uggs should be burned. Crocs too.
If those wedge sneakers were all black I would be all over those like white on rice. ?
Author
CROCS! I forgot about those. Dammit! Good call. Those wedge sneakers were pretty damn comfortable. Thanks for reading, luv. xo
I have a pair of Ugg knockoffs that I wear as slippers in the winter time, I won’t even wear them to run out to the corner store, although once I wore them to put the garbage out. I don’t think that jogging pants should be worn in public unless you are at the gym, or actually participating in some sort of athletic activity.
Author
I’m with you, Jodi. Jogging pants are hideous. Roots does great, slim-fitting jogging pants that I find passable. Uggs – I have a love/hate relationship with. Some are cute, most are bad, bad, BAD. xoxox
I’m guilty of the old-man sandals (without the fur, thankfully!) but your comment about the Florida retirement home killed me. Spot on. Great post! Gave me a few chuckles 🙂
Author
Awwww – good, Emily! I can see you pulling off those sandals as your sense of style is on point! Thank you for reading. I’m loving your blog, by the way! The photography is amazing! xo
Hahaha! such a fun post 🙂 I must admit that I’m with you on all!! I do think that some trends grow on you… sneakers under a midi skirt for instance… two years ago I despised that… and now I have been wearing it myself! But it’s all about dosing and right combinations. Great post! Love, Kathleen
Author
Hey Kathleen!! I’m with you! There was a point where I would never be caught dead in a pair of Converse, and now I love them! Thank you so much for reading…hope you are well! xoxox
Lol high heeled sneakers
Author
Ridiculous, right? For those times your need to look feminine and hot while running a marathon?? Thanks for reading! xo
Hahah exactly!
Lmao ending this with miranda priestly? Perfect.
Haha that statement necklace comment is hilarious! One trend that I despise(d) was those flat form Teva’s. I just couldn’t get with it! Like supermodels make them look super chic but what DONT they make cool?! I’d look like a fool wearing those outside LOL!
Author
Ommmmgggggg! I tried on a pair of flatform Tevas at Nordstrom and my sister made so much fun of me. She then pretended to not know me. Sigh. I kinda liked them! My sister said that they look like concrete blocks strapped to my feet. Ouch. I love statement necklaces…especially the yellow diamond ones at Tiffany & Co. LOL…
This is hilarious!!!!! Uggs should be banned…except for use as slippers. Crocs should be banned. Forever. From everywhere. I soooooo wanted some wedge/platform trainers but have never dared to tread that path. I remember seeing a woman in the supermarket once at midnight wearing fleecy PJs, a fleecy bright pink dressing gown and furry pink slipper boots…there was no rhyme or reason for it. I was ever so slightly jealous of her level of comfort if I am honest! Lol! 😉 Great post!
Author
Haha! Maybe she was having a psychotic break and needed some late night Cheetos to get her through her episode? LOL! So mean. Thank so much! So glad you liked the post! Yep – Crocs are horrible. I was stunned when they opened a giant, free-standing store where I live. I was like: “How is this going to stay in business??” Sure enough, it’s still standing three or so years later. Thanks for reading, babe! Hope you are well!
Crocs just amaze me and horrify me all at the same time! Mind you I remember and embraced jelly bean shoes (and a bag!!!) as a child/teen…who am I to talk! Lol!
UGG’s are bulky and so not sexy. They’re great in the dead of winter, but I’ve seen them worn all throughout summer. WTH?! Thanks for the post. Loved it!
Author
Thank you so much, Gail! So thrilled you liked it! They are just too bulky and when they get worn out, they are soooo ugly. They look terrible – absolutely terrible – after a while. No thanks. Maybe for indoors…
Uggs and Platform sneaker – YES! Amen! I agree wholeheartedly.
Currently I can’t STAND the Sharpie marker brows. I see them all the time – they look ridiculous in real life and not appropriate for everyday wear!
Author
Omg – you make me laugh so hard. “Sharpie Marker Brows” – you should hashtag that! #viral
All of the above!! Do me a favor, please swing by Del Boca Vista in a bunch of years and make sure I’m not wearing those old lady sandals or anything equally hideous? By the way, I really like statement necklaces as long as they’re not ridiculously large. What a fun post!
Lol I agree with pretty much everything!!! I do not own Uggs. Never have. And never wanted to. Lol.
Author
Good girl! Haha! Thanks for reading!
Hilarious…and entertaining as always, Dom! I know Uggs are UGGly, but I cannot give them up. Mine are black and totally sequined so I try to pass them off as somewhat Glam & Sassy lol! xo Gina
Author
Oooh! You got the glitzy Uggs! Did you see the little short ones with all of the long beautiful fur at the ankle? I seriously considered buying those. I will admit, they are possibly the most comfortable shoes on Earth. Thanks for reading, Bella! xo
Loved this!
Author
Thank you so much!
Hey! I have those silky pjs – but I can honestly say they’ve never seen the outside! Haha…great post! 🙂
Author
Thank you, Linda! That woman looks great in them, but who could realistically pull them off? HAHA!
Not me! And I sure wouldn’t wear them with heels! LOL
Author
HAHAHA!
Every time I see Uggs, I laugh. Our toddlers have them and consider them slippers for IN the house in the winter, and I wouldn’t mind a pair for that purpose, too. We wear actual boots in the winter.
I wasn’t aware of many of your items (fashion is not my thing), but may I add leggings worn as pants? They aren’t. Flip-flops if you’re not on a beach. Crocs if you aren’t in your garden. Gym clothes if you aren’t in the gym. Pyjamas, oh, yes, I agree completely about pyjamas. Last week I saw an entire family – two teenager girls, mom and dad – wearing pyjamas at the grocery store.
Author
Marie – this list of yours in BANG ON! Jeez – I didn’t even think of flip flops! I HATE THEM. That noise they make, they are the worse shoes offering no support…they only belong at the pool or in the gym! I can’t hate on Uggs too much – they are just too comfy. They are like warm hugs for your feet! xo
I have gone to uni wearing pajamas, because I just thought – “who’ll care, anyway?!” Well, apparently a shit load of people! hahahhahaha! at least a lot more people say hi to me now in the hallway! :p
Author
Noemi – you are adorable. If you want to rock pjs while completing higher education – you’ve earned it. Do it! Like you said: “Who cares?” Wearing them to the office or dinner though? Ummmm…lol!
I conqur! What about the dress style currently circulating that looks like a bathrobe????!!!!!!!!!!!
That ending with Miranda Priestly!
Author
Hahahaha! A favourite of mine! xo
So funny! I hate Uggs too. So UGGlY! I saw that overalls were making a comeback. Once was enough (while I was in college), you won’t be seeing me in those again!
Author
Haha! They say that if you have already lived through a trend once, you shouldn’t repeat it…so I guess I won’t be hopping on the overall train either. Thanks so much for reading! xo
Reblogged this on StylistaAndTheFro and commented:
I share the same sentiments. Some things are just not meant to leave the house.
Author
Thank you!
I never owned a pair of Uggs. I found them uncomfortable with no support at all. Also, my mother taught me that you should never go out of the house in flip-flops(they are only made for going to the beach and the pool), you should never wear pajamas in public, you should change your clothes when you get home, and you should put lipstick on even if you go just to the corner of the street to pick up a loaf of bread. I think she was right. I also liked the way you write. Great post!
Author
I think we have the same mom! Thank you so much. Your kind comments mean a lot! xoxoxo