Clogs Stomp All Over Partner’s Sensibilities
Dear Fashion Police: I’ve got two problems. First, my partner recently purchased big, clunky black clogs with oh-so-lovely silver staples around the edges. She insists on wearing them everywhere. Are clogs still the fashionable shoe choice?
Also, two friends of ours who eloped are now throwing a reception party on a Saturday, midday, at a bar and grill, with about 150 guests. The invitation reads: “Appropriate Attire Requested.” What could that possibly mean? The phrase seems completely uninformative to me. Worse, I have serious fears that my partner may attempt to attend in those darned clogs!
--WISHING THE SHOE
DIDN’T FIT
Dear Wish: Let’s tackle that pesky clog problem first. Yes, clogs are still around, in all their chunky, funky, clunky glory. We’ve seen versions by J. Crew, Nine West, Esprit and Steve Madden, everything from flannel to leather, from loafer tops to rubber platforms.
The fact that your partner has already purchased a pair and wears them everywhere clearly indicates she’s quite fond of them, silver staples and all. This being a free country, she is of course allowed to wear whatever she likes--as long as it’s not her birthday suit in public.
Whether or not she cares what you think about the shoes is another matter. If you’ve told her your feelings about the clogs, it probably went something like this: “Those are hideous! You’re not going to actually wear those, are you?” after which your partner probably became defensive and wore them even more often out of spite.
And really, can you blame her? Who enjoys having her clothing picked on? Now, you could gently tell her how those clogs offend your aesthetic sensibilities, but we doubt she’ll buy it. So our advice is to think happy thoughts and keep your eyes above shin level.
To the second part of your question: We’ve pounced on hosts before for issuing bizarre dress codes, such as “creative black tie,” “dressy business attire” and “California casual.” But this may be the first time we’ve seen a dress code that gives no hint about what guests are supposed to wear.
Is this the kind of bar and grill that has a “No shirt, no shoes, no service” policy? Or is it a classier joint where people know to wear clothes before entering? Since you probably have no clue, we suggest calling the hosts and asking them what is appropriate. And please drop a few not-so-subtle hints that their choice of words was most inappropriate.
Write to Fashion Police, L.A. Times, Times Mirror Square, L.A., CA 90053, fax to (213) 237-4888, or e-mail socalliving@latimes.com.
