I’ve been contemplating a question for some time now. Why do we all want to look like celebrities… even when what they’re wearing is just plain ugly? What is it about wearing the same dress or shoes as a celebrity that makes us feel so much better about ourselves?
It’s hard to escape the hype of the upcoming royal wedding. Photos of Kate Middleton are everywhere. Women across the world seem to think if they can dress like her they can somehow score their own Prince Charming. My question is: When does it stop?
The sheer dress Kate Middleton wore in 2002 in a St. Andrews University charity fashion show was auctioned off for more than $125,000 last month. A completely sheer dress that cost less than $50 to make, that is. The fashion show is rumored to have started the romance between the pair and as a result it has become “art.” Sorry, but I don’t think you could pay me to wear this in public.
In February, Lindsay Lohan showed up to court (I’ve lost track of what number this was) in a tight white Kimberly Ovitz dress retailing for $575. The dress sold out in every online boutique that carried the pre-Fall collection dress. Somehow, everyone stopped caring about why she was going to court and was more concerned with finding out how they too could look just like Lindsay.
Fashion site Singer22 is based almost entirely on the idea of offering the same designer items that celebrities wear. They even have ‘Shop by Celebrity’ link on their home page where you can click on celebs like Beyonce, Cameron Diaz, or Rachel Zoe. I’ve got to hand it to them- sometimes they have some gorgeous dresses I’d kill to be able to wear. And, of course, some items are just over the top- like the Red leather Biker Jacket Nicole Richie was pictured wearing that sells for $1,199.
This is all fun and great, but what bugs me is when people seem obsessed with buying things that are just plain ugly, all because Selena Gomez or Paris Hilton decided to wear it during a temporary loss of all fashion judgment. For some reason, when it comes to celebrities, our normal fashion sense goes out the window and we seem to think that they always know best.
What I’m suggesting is not for everyone to stop looking to stars for fashion advice. After all, my favorite part of any awards show is looking at the dresses. Celebrities undoubtedly have access to the best of the best and often have top stylists helping them with their looks. But sometimes, enough is enough. Sorry Miley, but just because you’re a teenage millionaire doesn’t mean I want to know how I can wear your ugly kimono-style coat. Ever.
Images from Time Inc., LA Times, ABC News, and Singer22.com.