When I lived other places, especially Soho, I would know what styles were in fashion simply by observing other residents walking about. Going by the same logic here, I would assume that sweatpants and pajamas are the current fashion trend.
Then again, I am in shape and don’t have dimples where my elbows should be. Therefore I am not too lazy to get dressed before I go out.
Seriously people, it’s the world, not your house. Put on something presentable before you go in public.
And please remember it’s not the 80s anymore. The other day I saw a guy wearing acid washed jeans with a matching jacket. There’s no way to un-see that.
Muffin tops with stretch marks.
Tan lines with strapless dresses.
Flip-flops with fleece sweaters.
Wearing pajamas and slippers to the lab or class.
Expensive jeans not hemmed for flats scraping the dirt form the sidewalk.
These are many examples of how horribly the women of Philadelphia dress. I am absolutely certain that the TV show “What Not to Wear” can film at a minimum 30 to 40 episodes in Phatadelphia.
I cannot even forgive the students who study in Philly for their lack of style. Even students I believe should learn the basics in how to present themselves in public.
And please don’t tell me ladies that your feet hurt and that is why you wear $2 flip-flops with expensive dresses. You do more harm to your feet by switching from those heels that kill your feet to the other extreme; flats with no support. Even I know that, and I am a heterosexual male.
I was at Christian and 9th Street one day eating at Sabrina’s, and my friend saw a horrific look on my face. I told them that I was absolutely disgusted to see the FOUR, yes FOUR bridesmaids all wearing strapless dresses but having white tan lines. I believe it is an insult to the bride by not paying enough attention to your skin by having tan lines in what will be a photo that will be cherished forever by the bride. Am I the only one who thinks it is insulting to the bride & groom?
Now imagine my surprise when a Philadelphian told me that tan lines were sexy. Sexy? In what country? “How are tan lines sexy?” I asked her. To that she replied, “It shows they were in the sun and probably have color.”
Hmmmmmm……..I”m not buying it. It is wrong no matter what.
Now my biggest pet peeve is the following. Women who pay over $160 for a pair of jeans at Charlie’s, hemmed for their heels, but wearing them with flats and scraping up the dog urine, spit, soda, and Wawa iced tead from the sidewalks. When I asked a woman why she didn’t hem them for her flats, she cried out “I paid almost $200 for these jeans, I can’t afford two pairs.”
Really? Really my little princess whose parents paid your tuition? You fly to Mexico for Spring Break, live in 19107, and are telling me you cannot afford a second pair of jeans? Yet your toes are perfectly pedicured every week?
The money is there, student or not. But I have seen more style from poor Italians in Napoli than rich Philadelphians.
I guess at the end of the day, I should lower my standards for the women of Philadelphia. My expectations are high for what is the 5th largest city in the richest country in the world. Unfortunately, with very few exceptions (and they are usually from Europe or via NYC), they all lack fashion savvy.
And this is just the beginning. I haven’t even begun with the other fashion faux-pas.
Holy Shit!
Who ever said that it was OK for women to display their bras in Philly? Is it too much to ask that your shirt strap covers the bra strap. I can understand if the two straps are lined up and they separate a bit, but come on! Showing the bra on the side of your breast under a loose top is a huge fashion faux-pas. And a cross back support on your top with a regular strap bra is a no-no too.
And just because you wear flip-flops in the city does not mean you can wear a bikini to match. Save it for the beach. In the name of the fashion gods, please learn how to dress Philly women. UGH! I think I am going to puke!
Mel…you need to realize that we, as a nation, are turning into a banana republic. Philadelphians are just an outward manifestation of that sleazy mindset. They dress the way they do because they are cheap, low-life, prima donnas, who think they are special. Most of the people who work in the Center of Philadelphia have a sense of entitlement that doesn’t match their, soon to become, 3rd world incomes.
I attend many events, fundraisers, balls, etc on the Philadelphia charity circuit. Imagine my horror when I asked my boyfriend to be my escort for an event and he showed up in pants that were not hemmed properly, and in a jacket and tie for a black tie event, és un desastre!!! Only in Philly does one show up to an event dressed improperly. What proper gentleman doesn’t own a tuxedo? And if he doesn’t own a tuxedo then he should rent one and look appropriate. I guess that is where I was mistaken, it is Philadelphia and there are no proper gentlemen here!
Why is it that men in Philadelphia love to wear khaki pants with pleats? Do they not realize that their beer gut hanging over and pancake flat bottoms look completely ridiculous in pleated khaki pants? It makes me wonder if none of them even bother to look in the mirror before they leave the house. Do they own a mirror? Have they changed their clothes since 1984?
The pleated khaki pant coupled with the short sleeve too tight pique polo shirt is just a dull, lame, unflattering, and boring combination. Gentleman, please for the sake of women everywhere STOP wearing pleated khakis!
I found this page looking to see if I was the only one hating this city so much. I have been traveling all over the world, I tend to see the best side of every place, but I have been unable to do so with Philly. Thanks God my 13 year nightmare is coming to an end and I am moving to the Gulf Coast next month. I won’t miss this hellhole and the rude people inside. I hope you can leave soon too
What about the men wearing shorts and black socks pulled up all the way and Adidas slides? Why don’t they add sock garters while they’re are it?
I don’t know if this is only a Philthy phenomena but it’s certainly NOT an attractive look.
Im not even from Philly and am disgusted at what you people worry about..get a damn life u sound like losers with nothing better to do but worry about other people wear!! WHAT the eff is this world coming to….
Hey Melissa, the others are not “worried” about it. It is an observation that people in Philly do not know how to dress properly. This lack of style gives a horrible first impression. Lack of attention to detail and apathy are demonstrated and this makes people watching at Rittenhouse Square totally entertaining. So chill girl!
What is the world coming to? I don’t know. What is Philly coming to? Well, it’s going to the dogs. Fat dogs at that.
Hello guys! I have a filth-a-day update for you. To know who I am please first look at my posts under “Have a rant” and “Cuisine culture shock”. As you are now aware, after reading those posts, there is a LADY (??) at my company, which is a major American defense company in Filthadelphia, who yelled the following golden words at me, “F**K YOU! WONDER WHERE THESE PEOPLE COME FROM??!!” (I mean SCREAMED for the whole world to hear) when the only thing I did was honk my mini-van with my remote to lock it. And this is a very senior veteran of this company and has worked here for over 20 years. I just wanted to update you on her sartorial sense or lack thereof. The other day I caught her at her best: BRIGHT YELLOW FULL-SLEEVED SHIRTS AND MAROON PANTS !!! Oh boy, did this filtha lady look se*y!!!! I am telling you, she is an obese shapeless 45 year old and she wears clothes that almost kill me with laughter and she dares to question “WHERE THESE PEOPLE COME FROM”. Well, filtha lady (???) they certainly dont come from Filth-a-day Filthadelphia!!!!
@Vijay she sounds like another angry Filthadelphian with no manners and an appalling fashion sense. Do they think they look good or do they not care?
@Suzy Q. – I dont know…….I have had filtha people with beer guts that are hanging down to their knees, calling me various names such as “skinny” or “pissant” who dont know that I am mighty glad: A. I dont look like them and B.I workout to stay fit and skinny…This way, I get to consume as much beer and chicken as I want, without worrying if I am going to end up looking like THEM!!! But I do know that these people are totally unaware they look and behave the way they do and that their behavior is having an impact on others.
Vijay, don’t have a heart attack man. Plan your departure, or ask for a raise. WHy else would you stay in Philly?
@Manny G – I have a serious problem!!! I am in the IT industry, highly experienced with great degrees and qualifications, and the defense company I am working at pays me very very very very well as a contract worker. My hourly rate rivals that of the best (no kidding – my employer, the one that actually pays me classifies me as a “highly compensated employee”). So, what am I supposed to do? Enjoy ruling in this hell????!!!! Or go somewhere else where I seriously doubt if I will get paid as much….I have tried looking for jobs back where I moved here from (D.C/NoVA area) – they are backing out as soon as they hear my pay requirement. What am I supposed to do here???? Enjoy making so much money while I can, in this shithole, with no forward-thinkers and no social life????? OR leave where I might get less pay but more peace of mind?