Just for fun I was scanning the coverage of some of the New York fashion shows; and once again it hit me - some of the clothes are just, flat-out hideous.  Now this is where style editors like Nina Garcia come in, and talk about the designer's point of view, etc.  And it's where she loses me half the time; and I don't know what the he** she's talking about. 

But that's OK.  Like every other industry, the fashion world has its own priorities, sensibilities, lingo, etc.  That's all well and good.  But what's not well and good is when the rest of us fall for the ugly clothes, or are told we should fall for them.

Thank goodness many folks are smarter than that.  They have a good sense of self, plus an understanding about what looks good on them, and what doesn't.  But what about those poor souls that are slaves to the latest style fads? 

Check out the model in the photo.  If this woman was walking towards you at a party, would you think she was stylish?  Or that she looked ridiculous?  This dress is by Bottega Veneta - and while they have a lot of things I love (incredible handbags, for one) to me, this dress is just plain ugly.

And yes, I know, we're told over and over, that the "runway looks" are the more outrageous fashion visions of what will ultimately be sold.   But come on, this looks an awful lot like a "potato sack" dress. 

I read a story many years ago about Patricia Buckley (wife of William F.)  Mrs. Buckley was a beautiful woman, famous for her impeccable attire.  The gentleman telling the story said that he gave her a gift certificate for an appointment with a well known New York stylist.  She graciously thanked him; then never used it.  He told the story with a wry and funny "what the hell was I thinking" attitude, "to give her a gift like that?"

Good lesson for all: trust yourself.  So what if it's the "latest and greatest."  If it makes you look like a lump, there's nothing great about it.  (Re: skinny jeans - such a BAD look for SO many.)

To paraphrase Nancy Reagan: Just say NO to fads.