Stark Raving Sane: On Wardrobe

By Catherine SWEET

$25 more for size 13

Am I shallow? Or am I as shallow as society seems to think peo- ple who appreciate wardrobe are? I wonder why people who like paintings are snobs, people who like sculpture are a little off and those who like wardrobe are shallow valley girls. How strange...

Why is it that wearable art is

seen as vain decoration? Can't a cut of _

leather be likened to a stroke of water- colour? I say yes. It takes talent- it takes vision. Maybe it's the price. Maybe the market is so flooded with $19.95 Dalmy's flutter-sleeve tank tops that will disintegrate in the first wash that regular folks like you and me see chucking $500 on a Golce & Gabbana blouse is a frivolousy that is totally unparalleled.

Joan Rivers can drop dead. I think my passion for wardrobe wouldn't have been so stunted if it wasn't for the intense gagging reflex induced by Mary Hart and her perma- grin.

Perhaps it's the plastic Hollywood stars that act like living mannequins at every Gala Whatever or "It's an honour just to be nominated" Awards show. "You look fabulous,

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who afe you wearing?" I like trying to |

guess before they answer, but I'm still a rookie at the Spot the Designer game. Joan Rivers can drop dead. I think my passion for wardrobe would- n't have been so stunted if it wasn't for the intense gagging reflex induced by Mary Hart and her perma-grin. "Here's what J. Lo wore - and here's the $60 knock-off that you can buy at J. C. Penney." I picture a 40 year-old house- wife from Poughkeepsie wearing it to the next New Year's Eve down at the firehall. Shudder.

Maybe this is. exactly the prob-.

lem: the alliance between the undeni- ably false film industry and high-quali- ty, innovative couturiers that are sadly some of the few individuals who can afford to pay.

All the couture aside, I believe there's still something to be said for dressing well on a budget. I'm not par- tial to a certain "look", it's just the aes- thetic of the ensemble. A skinny guy can wear a slim screen-printed tee with worn jeans and stretched-out Airwalks and (to me) carry the same presence as a man in a well-cut pinstripe suit with wingtips- as long as both men put some thought into the outfit.

My preferred look is the clas- sic. I think a perfect look for UPEL this time of year is either the cords-and- turtleneck combo or the skirt-and-tee shirt ensemble. My pick for shoes: Mary Janes. They're youthful and girly but conjure up the naughty Catholic schoolgirl sex appeal. Accessory: super-long scarf. It's a must in the Canadian winters and you can knit them yourself! (Knittin's just not fer grammas no more!)

While the price of fashion is restrictive, I can afford my $45 sub- scription to In Style magazine and the bank that is my imagination has no spending limit. Maybe it is shallow to think that all my academic aspirations

lead to me being able to afford a Marc -

Jacobs coat. Oh, well. I guess I'm just a small fish in a shallow pond. :

The island Media Arts Coop presents

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www.reclisiand.ca 902.892.3131

Culturama 2002: October 25th at The Arts Guild

UPEI's local WUSC (World University Services of Canada) committee has partnered with CUSO and Canada World Youth (CWY) to bring you an

evening filled with singing, dancing and good food! The event begins. Eriday,,

October 25th at 7p.m. with an all-ages concert featuring the singing talents of Ruth Mathiang, a performance by Acadian dancers, Raggae dancing performed by CWY's Jamaican contingent and more. International cuisine will be on . sale until 10pm at which time we'll be clearing the floor in preparation for a 19-years and up dance party that will run until lam. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Root Cellar, The Book Emporium, Tweel's Gift Shop, the Volunteer Resource Council, or at the door with all proceeds going to support the three not-for-profit organizations mentioned above. All are welcome and we wi to see you there!