Perhaps I'm Getting Old

When I was a teenager, I liked clothes. I actually still liked clothes, but when I was a teenager I actually cared about brands and labels and what was current. In my 20's I cared a bit less, though I did my best to stay current. I did the same in my 30's but I had a few things that I considered basics that I hung on to that may or may not have been in style. Now that I'm in my 40's I purchase a few things each season to stay current but I'm also looking at whether they'll last for a while.

There are some trends that I don't understand. One in particular is the billboard style branding of sweatpants; more specific is the plastering of a brand name or slogan across someone's ass. To me the purpose of that is to draw attention to the wearer's ass. I require no help looking at a nice ass. I'm pretty good at finding them, then appreciating them when I do. If I'm with a friend, I'll direct their attention towards it, I'm giving in that way. What I don't need is to see "BABYDOLL" or "APPLE BOTTOM" or "PUMA" plastered across someone's rump.

Why am I mentioning this? Well today, while having lunch, I watched a family - Dad, mom and their young daughter, perhaps 3 years old, walking outside. The daughter was wearing track pants with "PUMA" across the back. I found that to be in very poor taste. It's fine if a grownup wants to be a human billboard, but I don't think it's right to dress a child like that. Like I said, maybe I'm just getting old.

What do you think? Do you care about fashion? Would you be a backside billboard? Would you let your kids be one?

Ladies, Please!

File Under: Fashion Don't

I'm a gay man. I'm not the most stylish gay man but I can hold my own. I know what looks good on me, and I know to ask if I'm unsure about something. I also own a full-length mirror.

It's July in Chicago. It's hot, it's humid, I understand. I'm a bit jealous of the women who can wear these little skirts and dresses only because I think it would be nice to feel the breeze blow up my skirt. Heck, I enjoy feeling the occasional draft up my shorts. I guess guys have an advantage in that we can wear shorts without underwear and not have too much fear that our junk is going to be seen. Oh sure, some guys like having their junk on display (see Dan's blog for prime examples). Yes, some women like having their bits on display too (right, Britney Spears?).

Tonight I saw a prime example of a fashion DON'T. I was out doing laundry, I do my laundry in Lakeview (aka Boystown). Besides seeing all the cute boys coming home from work or going for their evening run (SHIRTLESS!), the women feel like they've got to step it up a bit to be noticed (or they're just puss-teases for the lezzies). Tonight, I saw a few women in their cute little summer dresses. Some did it just right - not too short, good footwear, good support on top (lift and separate those girls!). What I did see that disturbed me were two separate occurrances of the same faux pas. Women wearing their little swingy clingy dresses that moved great when they walked but clung enough to their asses that I could see their baggy granny panties bunched around their asses. LADIES - if you're going to work those cute little dresses, invest in some better fitting drawers! Please!!

Thank you.