Check Mate.

How Street Style Jumped the Shark

By Will Welch

When the street-style trend went nuclear, all the accidental “Who, me?” unselfconsciousness that once made it so fresh was tainted. The streets became the runway. Next thing you know, wannabe style icons are stalking Sartorialist-favored avenues, hoping to be photographed. And — even worse — the fashionistas loitering outside the shows in Europe transformed from insiders who live the life into try-hards working overtime to get photographed. What everyone quickly learned is that the best way to get noticed is to go over the top — to identify every trend and pile them all on at once.

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In October of last year, The Hairpin came out with this piece that, while being flattering, failed in large part to address exactly what Mr. Welch describes in his piece.

Men are supposed to dress well, not play dress-up. The person pictured above may think he is the being impossibly cool, but, sadly, he’s a clown.

Unselfconsciousness is the key word here. Even if it takes you two hours to get dressed, once you’re done, you should forget about what you’re wearing.

(via peternyc)