So recently MSN.ca put out a list on the worst dressed cities in the world. And guess what? Ottawa is #8. There’s been a bit of backlash from the denizens of this city, mostly the kind of defensive behaviour that comes from the inherently guilty. Who cares about fashion? Its so frivilous! Oh yeah? We have fashionistas, check out so-and-so! {Ps, the term ‘fashionista’ is super lame, please stop using it, no one that actually works in fashion uses it. I could rant on but won’t} BLAHBLAHBLAH. If you’ve ever spent even a nano-second working for the government, 80s style suits would be a blessing (as the article suggests). Having worked for the government for some time (no longer though) a suit {any suit!} would be nice to see… its a sea of casual stretch pants, terrible chunky bleach jobs, crocs {wish i was kidding} BUM equipment sweaters {SERIOUSLY wish I was kidding} and make up? Pffft! Never heard of or seen it.
I don’t mean to dig at this city. Or rant. There is a ton of good here, yet fashion? But its not just the fashion, its the lifestyle in Ottawa that’s unsexy. Any other city where the population boasts over 1, 000, 000, there is LIFE after 7pm [gasp!] even on a SCHOOL NIGHT! Ottawa? Ghost town. Our “federal fashionistas” are curled up on the couch with their cats, popcorn, uggs and the latest drivel from Glee. How many times have I asked a friend Hey let’s grab a drink, meet after work! to be met with Oh god! Its Tuesday? Let’s wait till 2 saturdays from now. Oh shoot, I spilled Timmys on my [poly-blend Made-in-China fake] Marc Jacobs sweater.
Ottawa is the place you go to settle [down]. Of course we have shit fashion sense! We’re coddled into a lifestyle coma by accepting mediocrity on a daily level! It’s taken us HOW MANY DECADES to decide what to do with Lansdowne? Lebreton Flats? A lightrail system? We’ve wasted how much of our tax dollars on this? We’re surrounded by more beaurocracy on every level and to do anything creative you have to fight tooth and nail just get the slightest bit approved {Just ask a friend of mine that opened a wine bar in Little Italy, Liquor license? Almost a year wait….}. And that idealogy trickles down. Why bother dressing up? I’m just going to sit in a cubicle, spill mustard on whatever I’m wearing, go home, watch Glee and whine about not having a boyfriend/girlfriend. {Ok, not everyone in the city is like that, but there is an overwhelming amount that is, we didn’t win the #8 spot by chance, did we?.}
Being well dressed does not mean spending money. It does not mean following trends mindlessly or wearing labels. It means EXPRESSING SOMETHING! ANYTHING! We earned ‘worst dressed’ not necessarily because we are worst dressed, but because we don’t express anything. Its either I don’t care about fashion. Its stupid or I don’t want to stand out so I’ll just fit in with whatever Zara is selling. We are fashion coma. Come on, Ottawa, lets put a little effort into it. Express something, bad ‘style’ is always better than no fashion or zombie-trend-following ‘fashion’ aka no style.
There are so many options. Don’t want to spend money? Support places like Value Village! The money goes to a great cause, you’re not supporting sweatshop labour, and your look will be 100% unique! Don’t like second hand? Check out stores like Victoire that specialize in Canadian {mostly Made in Canada} designers at prices no higher than Zara or Aritzia! Let it trickle down, grab a slice of wine, a full glass of life and fill that fashion plate. Do it your way. Forget about mags or blogs or fucking “fashionistas” just express yourself, Ottawa, and that ‘worst dressed’ stigma will flow away….I’d rather be known for bad style than having no style at all. At least it shows you’re trying, right?
There. I’ve said my piece.
PEACE.
wearing a $5 Value Village dress in my fave spot in Ottawa, the Chateau Laurier… Ottawa is beautiful! Let’s do this landscape some justice! Better yet, come to OFW and support local fashion! You might be {pleasantly} surprised at what some are doing in this city….
Here, here! Couldn’t have said it any better!
Amen to that! Perhaps it is time to hang up our Sens jerseys Ottawa and wear then to games only? Just sayin’. Love this J, absolutely love this!
Love K
I showed this to my friend who lives in Ottawa, works for the government, and she just said it’s so true. Great post.
Number. EIGHT??? Seriously, jaw on floor. What kind of cities are included in this thing? I demand a recount!! They obviously haven’t heard of you, for some unknown reason.
I wholeheartedly concur that fashion is about expressing something: to wit today it is unseasonably sunny outside but I have channelled a spirit of rebellion in a black maxi dress and black stiletto hiking boots. Don’t care if it’s in fashion, that’s what my mood craved!!
Cakes
http://www.cakesandshakes.wordpress.com
I agree with the list of cities, they have a valid point (at least for the cities that ive been to on that list).
I think people often mistaken no style with bad style, Ottawa doesn’t have bad style but no style as in everyone shops at banana and gap, but it also has to do with that it’s a government town. When I worked for the government it was so easy to get up, put on a pair of dress pants and a blouse. I looked great but didn’t necessary have a form of self expression (which is OKAY for work cuz you don’t want to look like a douche, but for weekends and otherwise… that’s something else).
did you read their comment about Ottawa!? Scrunchies?? ya right. maybe there are some shapeless suits, but i think in general every city does. Commmmman.
kate xo
I actually grew up in Ottawa and still have some friends there and they complain about that too! They all work in bars though, so they tend to get out on weekdays, but it is a ghost town after 7. Beautiful city, people should follow your very fashionable lead :)
xx
lol oh J you crack me up.
I’m pretty sure we’ve had this conversation on more than one occasion. Every time I look at something completely blah in my closet and go for the shiny/pretty/silky thing instead it’s because you’re the voice in my head saying, ‘really?!’ Some days I make you proud! :)
i agree. ottawa is lame for thinking they got style. what’s even more lame? ottawa fashion “week” and this blog.
Best.post.ever.
I did my undergrad in Ottawa and was baffled by … Pretty much everything you said!
You go girl! Well said! It’s about time we invigorate our lives and cities with a touch of style. There is nothing frivolous about something that enables you to express yourself, and opens the window of opportunity. I suppose Montreal tries a bit harder than Ottawa, but I still find Canadians in general are far too modest. We could certainly learn from Europeans in that respect!
By the way, thank you for stopping by my blog and for the feedback on Emily’s post! I’ll be coming back here as well. You certainly got my attention!
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