In print | Published October 30, 2008 — Updated December 05, 2008 10:11

­­There are three things on my mind right now that are intersecting in absurdity: Palin’s $150,000 wardrobe makeover, Paris Hilton’s “My New BFF” TV show and Comme des Garçons’s Spring/Summer ’09 collection. In the face of the current economic downturn, such things seem lavishly contrary to any frugality that people should be exercising. The collections shown earlier this month during fashion week SS09 left style critics confused: while some showed refinement reflective of the recession, most were as extravagant and over-the-top as ever. Comme des Garcon’s line featured models with bigger-than-life hair, piled sky-high in a manner reminiscent of and clearly inspired by Marie Antoinette. Not only does the line visually evoke everyone’s favorite French hedonist, it also channels her attitude that “everything is fine and dandy” while the outside/real world is plummeting into chaos. Much of the fashion world is stuck in a “Marie Antoinette moment,” designer Jeremy Scott commented; it is simply not conceding to reality.

But if the fashion world is having a “Marie Antoinette moment,” how is that affecting the rest of us average citizens? Well, for one thing, it means that VP nominee Sarah Palin has not exactly been thinking much about cutting back on personal spending. While her appeal and reach may be to average moms and working class families, that certainly hasn’t stopped her from using campaign money to purchase designer stiletto pumps and tailored skirt suits. To be fair, no one really asks about the price tags on the suits that male politicians wear, so is this all a big deal because she’s a woman? Yes and no. There’s no really easy way to answer that question, but at the very least I think it’s hypocritical on several levels. As Joy Behar said on “The View,” “I don’t think Joe the Plumber wears Manolo Blahniks.”

That’s not to say that fashion hasn’t toned it down, though. Plaid and flannel are as popular as ever, especially in colors and styles reminiscent of the early ’90s grunge era. Vintage is being touted all over the place, by stores like Urban Outfitters with its Urban Renewal line or American Apparel with its California Select vintage stores, and by stylists like Rachel Zoe on her Bravo show “The Rachel Zoe Project” and “Project Runway” mentor Tim Gunn. While vintage doesn’t always mean cheap, especially when it’s bought from small NYC vintage boutiques or hand-picked by celebrity stylists, similar outfits can be easily constructed by going to any number of thrift stores and consignment shops. Philly doesn’t have the best thrift, but the prices are much more reasonable than NYC stores of the same kind. My impression of California thrift stores, at least based on many wardrobe_remix posts that I’ve seen, is that Thrift Town probably has just about everything that you could possibly need, want or have to have. Buying vintage and thrifting certainly has its merits—saving money, not being wasteful and recycling are two things that everyone could probably do a little of, and not just in terms of wardrobes.

So what about Paris Hilton’s new show, “My New BFF?” Well, it’s a show about an heiress who didn’t work for her money and who wants to find someone to tag along with her to live a spoiled lifestyle. I’m not saying Paris Hilton is a terrible person. It’s more that the marketing for such a show is indicative of what people want to see on television. “My Super Sweet Sixteen” is still popular and the success of shows like “Gossip Girl” and “90210” version 2.0 only proves that people want to see that fantasy lifestyle, especially during times like these when we all need something to look forward to. It happened during the recession in the ’80s with shows like “Dynasty,” so it isn’t surprising that it’s happening right now. It may be that people never get tired of seeing the glitter and the glamour, but that doesn’t mean their budgets aren’t changing. The fashion world can continue its air of decadence by putting out one disconnected-from-reality show after another, but without a guarantee that people will continue to buy, or compromise theatrics to fit reality. Fashion isn’t a self-sustaining industry. It needs an audience, and now may be the time to respectfully acknowledge that fact.

Ming is a sophomore. You can reach her at mcai1@swarthmore.edu.

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