Hometown Style

Nov 21, 2007 @ 10:28am

Almost Famous ArrivalsEvery time I pack to go home, I face the same fashion problem. It's not the giant climate difference between Manhattan and Northern California - it's the style disparity that's the issue.


Last time I was home, my mom said, "Everyone always does a double take when you walk by!" And it's not because of my luscious hair. Apparently, my outfits are so far-out for California, I leave a string of confused bystanders in my wake. And here's the thing - my style's not so crazy.

I wore an emerald green, billowy, silk dress with leather gladiator sandals and an armful of bracelets to my sister's graduation in August. I could have rocked it to the drugstore in New York, but apparently I was WAY over-dressed for a graduation.

And the poufy babydoll dress I wore out that night? I'm pretty people though it was a cast-off from the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show - which is totally fine. It was my favorite dress this past summer and that's all that matters to me.

But I wonder how different my trips home would be if I dug the bootcut jeans out from the back of my closet, and brought just one pair of shoes home - my Converse. Would I finally go unnoticed in a town so small that everyone notices everything?

Do you tone down your city-style when you go home to the suburbs? Or do you dress just the same, but with a little more attitude?

Comments

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 10:45AM

When I go home for the holidays (15 miles outside of Chicago), I always get comments like "Oh, look at how New York she is!" I really don't wear anything too flashy or dressy (in my opinion), yet I've always been kind of like a novelty act when I've come home. But I refuse to suck it up and wear birkenstock clogs and a north face. I have my pride!

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posted by jess

Nov 21, 2007 11:02AM

I'm pretty people SURE thoughT it was a cast-off from the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 11:25AM

Yeah. I'm from southern New Jersey where it's pretty much (f)UGGS, fleece vests, boot cut jeans and, if you are going out (in Philly, or to the woods), heels, jeans and a sparkly halter top. Even in highschool my style always stood out. And I was considered weird in middle school for wearing PURPLE Doc Martins when everyone else wore brown.
Now I think everyone expects it from me, which is pretty cool. And I know I'll always stand out in bright red lips, a turquoise slip and a high-waisted belt paired with tights and strappy shoes among the sea of (SHORT!)babydoll dresses...

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posted by hellonheels

Nov 21, 2007 11:49AM

I'm from the boondocks of NH, where JC Penney is as fashionable as it gets. When I go home, I tone it down a few notches and try to stick with what's casual and comfortable - cute sweaters and cardigans, jeans tucked into flat boots, et cetera. But I think ultimately it's as much the general grooming as the clothes that make people look twice. You don't see too many girls down at the Wal-Mart with done hair, fresh makeup, and a manicure. I think that when you're habitually pulled together, you sort of develop a confident, cosmopolitan air, and that's what gets you attention.

That may not have made any sense.

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posted by KA

Nov 21, 2007 12:17PM

I just moved to NorCal for a second time this winter. It does get pretty chilly here but still, I noticed a couple of things: NO ONE WEARS BLACK (or jewel tones for that matter), and they're all so....grungy. Not even the grunge look currently in style. Grunge as in, they buy their outfits from Whole Foods. Even the ones that try look like they got all their nice clothes from an outdoors-y shop. I pay money to look nice, not to look like I just go dumpster-diving or rolled out of bed without looking in the mirror.

Therefore, I'm fine with turning heads.

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posted by Annmarie

Nov 21, 2007 12:29PM

Please...I feel underdressed when I go home! In Brooklyn its totally acceptable to wear Converse to a dive bar, but whenever I go home (north Jersey) everyone else is rocking sparkly halter tops and spiked heels to places where I wouldnt put my bag down... Also, no one seems to have the "Dresses for day" thing down, which is basically my entire summer wardrobe.

Its okay though, I am on my way home now wearing jeans and flats and I'll probably see them all out later tonight...

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 12:44PM

Oh no, I'd never sacrifice my style just to avoid being stared at by a bunch of poorly dressed hicks. I haven't really lived there since elementary school, so I'm proud i don't wear a uniform of cheap jeans, way too tight tank tops, and trainers. When I visit my parents, I may look over dressed, but at least I don't look like that.

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 12:45PM

ha where do you live in Norcal?

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 12:46PM

This comes off as really snobby. And why do you assume that we all go home to the suburbs?

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posted by FashionNoob

Nov 21, 2007 12:53PM

I live in the suburbs, and I feel weird no matter where I go. I'm still trying to figure fashion out. I'm like a fashion feral child.

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 1:05PM

I live in LA, but go home to Oregon for the holidays and people say the same to me "You're so LA!". Not necessarily a compliment, I'd prefer, "I can tell you work in fashion!". But I do try to tone it down a little bit... if only for the sake of my turtleneck, jeans, and sneaker wearing parents.

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posted by Donald

Nov 21, 2007 1:12PM

I went home to way south Georgia and wore a hoodie that read 'Morrissey is my Boyfriend'. The kids at the mall had no idea what to say.

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 1:17PM

Minnesota. Sad, but true. Beautiful place, dreadful style. Depressing at times, really. (Which is why one must travel, for a bit of creative rejuvination.) In all truth, I wonder sometimes: is my fly down? People can't possibly be staring at me simply because I am wearing a cape, beret, and red lipstick..

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posted by queendistructo

Nov 21, 2007 1:59PM

I absolutely have this happen to me. Everytime I go back home I get comments on what I'm wearing. Today I'm wearing a black square-necked dress that I belted, with black tights, my grey Marc Jacobs graphic bracelet and dark mauve platform oxfords. I paired this with my new eggplant huge leather tote and my cream and black plaid coat.

In NYC that doesn't stand out, but if I wear this tonight when I go back to my hometown I know I will get lots of comments about "how New York" I look.

I also noticed this when I went to Philly, where my best friend now lives. I wore what to me is a normal outfit, and I stood out in a sea of bootcut jeans and sweatshirts. Even my friend said she felt like she had to dress up just to go shopping with me!

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posted by memento mori

Nov 21, 2007 2:11PM

I used to go home to Pennsylvania and I used it as a chance to dig things out of my mom'scloset that I wouldn't usually wear in New York (unless I knew in advance it was a night that consisted only of Welcome to the Johnsons or something) -- my mom's early 80s cords, tailored plaid buttondown, puffy mid-80s Lee vest... It wasnt what everyone else was wearing but it felt more appropriate for a trip to the country than wobbling around cornfields in 4 inch heels...

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posted by Jacqueminette

Nov 21, 2007 2:14PM

I'm from NorCal, too. In Oakland, San Francisco, and Berkeley, the outfits you described would be noteworthy, certainly, but not shocking or unexpected.

As for blending in, all you'd have to add to the jeans-and-converse combo would be a hoodie or a fleece jacket (extra points if it's from an East Bay-based company like North Face or Mountain Hardwear; Royal Robbins could work, too).

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posted by Shanna

Nov 21, 2007 2:30PM

With me it's sort of the opposite. I have to tone down my style for college and can dress fun when I'm home in LA. If I wore things I wear to class out in LA, I'd definitely feel underdressed.

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posted by ShinyJackie

Nov 21, 2007 2:56PM

I definitely tone it down when I go home. My family dresses very casual, so whenever I even wear a skirt they make fun of my "City Girl" style. So it's just easier for me to blend in and avoid the sarcastic remarks...

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 3:17PM

I just moved to a ski lodge above Salt Lake City, and I was asked "if I had a winter worth of these sorts of interesting outfits", my response was yes, since the only way to stay sane here is to dress like myself.

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posted by nadarine

Nov 21, 2007 4:13PM

None of my HS friends 'change styles' when going back to our parents' for the holidays, which leads to the oddest looking gaggle of friends walking to the bar. We've got the Peace Corps worker in her polarfleece and khakis and winter hiking boots, the attorney in her expensive jeans and conservative sweater, the NYC designer in full-on Williamsburg wear, the small-town farmer in head-to-toe Carhartt, and the vaguely fashionable me in a thousand layers and big spike heels and jewelry in my hair.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 4:30PM

or you dont need to change the way you dress, because your hometown is new york. the rest of you are just visitors.

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posted by glttergrl3890

Nov 21, 2007 4:34PM

ah i love the almost famous still.

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 7:07PM

For me it has to do with so much of the home visit out west being activity based. Hiking, camping, XC-skiing etc. I heart fashion, but a chunk of my life requires function first.

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 7:27PM

I love going home from New York because there nobody notices me, but in my small hometown in Florida, I'm the best dressed!

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 8:47PM

Ha

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posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 8:57PM

haha this post is hilarious, because I am twenty years old and STUCK in NORCAL! Born and raised. From the dreadfully hot valley. But I pretty much only shop in SF and online.

My boyfriend begs me sometimes to wear just a t-shirt and jeans out at night. Nine out of ten girls here wear american eagle jeans.

My poor guy friends will never think of girls in the same way after becoming friends with me. They all hate juicy, uggs, abercrombie. And wish their girlfriends or exs dressed more like me.

Besides myself, I have only seen one person with Marc Jacobs collection. And about three with Marc by Marc. Ever. ( I can spot mj a mile away) . People seriously aim to dress like everyone else. Abercrombie (which we do not have in town) is an aspiration for many. And its sad because I have bought drop dead gorgeous (designer!) outfits at my local Crossroads for almost pennies. But thats okay with me, more outfits for me!

The good thing about being "overdressed" and stylish around here is that skeezy guys are intimidated by you and never speak to you.

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posted by guest

Nov 22, 2007 1:02AM

I live in Washington, DC, where there is no style whatsoever (and no, the hipsters who go to concerts at the 9:30 don't count.) But anyway, my home is in New Mexico and I have to dress BETTER when I go there because my sister is a fashion designer, her husband is an artist, my other sister manages artists and every other person is doing something artsy, fashiony, or whatnot. So if I wear something that no one comments on, then I have failed miserably!

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posted by guest

Nov 22, 2007 3:24AM

guest at 8:57's post just goes to show how huge and diverse a place this state is. i'm from the peninsula where it is true that most people are into the abercrombie shit. but now i live in the east bay and people here wouldn't dream of walking around looking like such a fool.

don't feel like you're "stuck" here. it's one of the best places on earth to be. i guess you have to go away to appreciate how wonderful this place is.

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posted by guest

Nov 22, 2007 9:01AM

I grew up in a small town in east Texas, but I never dressed like it. I was rocking leopard print miniskirts and knee high black boots in the second grade... This is my first time back since middle school and I relish being able to turn heads when I walk into a restaurant. I've been here two days and half the town has heard that "Lee Ann's daughter is back from New York." Take THAT girls in Gap jeans who made fun of me!

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posted by guest

Nov 22, 2007 11:30AM

Yeah - what about those of us who live in style challenged places (boston) and have to leave the hoodies behind when we return home (manhattan).

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posted by fashionursta

Nov 22, 2007 12:19PM

Absolutely not! I was born and bred here and only moved away after my husband needed to finish his training and we ended up in St Louis. It was really hard to maintain my "ny cool" (or the fact that i considered i had it) and i didn't really make any new friends there because of it. (We were in the burbs). I always stuck out, and people used to label me as a "fashionista" because i did. (I am not trendy, just edgy.) I just can't dress "suburban", it makes me depressed, because that is who I am. Now we live in nyc again, and i always get some kind of comment from my mother in law, who lives in the Long Island suburbs and does not understand. I don't care, I have to be who I am. The clothes i wear are integrally related to how i feel and who i am and i would never change just to fit in.

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posted by guest

Nov 22, 2007 1:08PM

i'm still in hs in ohio and i can't wait to unleash my style in college. i've had to hold back my whole life. girls here aspire to dress like the girls in seventeen. i'm hardly well-dressed but at least i know who is.

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posted by guest

Nov 22, 2007 2:50PM

I live in NorCal as well, but I feel like I am more "dressed up" than other people a lot of the time. At my college I like to wear skirts, a bright top, and either small wedges or heels. I get a lot of comments from people saying that I look like I'm going on an interview or somewhere important. I'm just glad that I don't look like the typical grungy college student, and that I can rock my clothes (and shoes of course) while still sticking out from the crowd. Yay for California! The Bay Area is incredible.

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posted by guest

Nov 22, 2007 7:58PM

Hey bitch stuck in NorCal! I'm here too, and I'm really glad you're setting the standard for how women and their clothes are perceived around here. Now I know how I should dress so that I can catch the men who have all been clued in to what real women are like, thanks to you!

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posted by zapatosnuevos

Nov 22, 2007 10:53PM

try living in the midwest with a new york state of mind. I have a metallic silver jacket from H&M that I'll agree is a little out there, but where it would pass without glances in the city, I've been called a spaceman twice, told I was from the future once and one girl even told me she liked my costume. Awesome.

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posted by Katie H

Nov 23, 2007 1:12AM

Girl, you are obvs not "stuck" in the Bay Area! San Francisco has the best shopping ever besides NY and the Bay Area is fab. I may stick out a bit in the 'burbs, but in the City I blend right in. The best part about the Yay is that it's so liberal you can wear whatevs you want. And it's perfect layering weather.

And, yay for all my fellow Bay Area fashionistas! Way to represent ladies. Now let's go get hyphy...

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posted by Sydney

Nov 23, 2007 1:21AM

i know exactly what you mean! i always feel like i'm a bit overdressed and quirky when i go out at home -- St. Louis. For the most part, St. Louisians are all about their Lilly Pulitzer dresses (I think I just thew up a little bit in my mouth typing those words), Tory Burch flats and Gucci totes. It gets a bit sickening. But I must admit, I get some type of pleasure from getting wierd looks that blatently say, "does that really go together?" or "wait, what is that?". I sort of love people noticing that I dont look like everyone else, I mean isn't that what fashion is about anyway?

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posted by guest

Nov 23, 2007 2:04AM

Hey guys, its me, "the bitch stuck in norcal." I understand the attitude, there's really nothing wrong with northern california, but there is quite a bit wrong with my hometown. So, my post was really about where I live, and probably not (but maybe, who knows!) about where you live. I don't live in the bay, I live in the valley. My city has topped "most dangerous city lists", and has been ranked the most illiterate city in the nation two years in a row.

Being stuck in northern california is not horrible, but being stuck in my city like many others my age that are not able to go to college farther away is. Only about 17% of the population here holds a BA.

NorCal is extremely diverse, so I see why some of you may be upset. Sometimes living forty five minutes or an hour apart means having a completely different lifestyle or upbringing. And that is not a bad thing.

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posted by guest

Nov 23, 2007 2:55PM

@ guest 1:08 pm - I understand! I went to high school in Ohio too, in a suburb outside of Cleveland. Every time I dressed up I felt like I had to have a reason - everyone thought I was headed to an interview or a formal dinner or something. On the plus side, people *do" remember, when a trend finally hits the Midwest, that you were the first person wearing it three years ago. Ha!

I still go to uni in Ohio, but it's a lot better. Here, even if people don't rock the latest, most of them at least know/appreciate fashion. The shopping in this state isn't exactly stellar - there are so many things I want, but just can't get my hands on! (Online shopping=a godsend)

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posted by guest

Nov 24, 2007 3:25AM

It's the opposite for me... my hometown is Tampa,FL, our "SoHo" district, to be exact. When I moved to Pensacola, FL (fondly called the Redneck Riveria by the locals) I felt incredibly overdressed! Most people I know here are very happy in their sweatpants and fleece hoodies in the summer, and tanks with board shorts in the winter. And always flip flops! I always feel compelled to buy new shoes before I go back home... It's like two totally different worlds!

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posted by chic3

Nov 24, 2007 7:03PM

This post is hilarious... I try to tone it down when I visit home and even then I am called out for overdressing... but regardless, in the end, everyone wants me to take them shopping one day "in the city" and help them pick out cute stuff. I had everyone watching Tim Gunn Thurs. night and someone's husband asked me yesterday if I was wearing a Tim Gunn... which was actually kind of cute since I was wearing H&M. Hmm, Tim Gunn and H&M, there's a collaboration ;)

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posted by DC Goodwill Fashionista

Nov 25, 2007 10:05PM

Ahaha... DC's not totally bereft of style, but "guest" (can't people register already?!) is right. The 9:30 Club is totally LAME when it comes to fashion and pretty much everything else (except for a handful of shows a year). Even though all the Cap Hill kids like to loudly and repeatedly reference it when establishing their "street cred." Hilarious. -the DCGF

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