Fashion Speak: Stunt Dressing
by Tracey Lomrantz, Glamour Magazine
STUNT DRESSING: v./phrase: stuhnt dres-ing: The act of styling oneself in an obviously outlandish way, specifically with the intention of being noticed and snapped by street style photographers.
If there's one thing I can say with certainty about this New York Fashion Week, it's that there's as much inspiring fashion going on off the runway as there is on (have you check out our new street style video series, What Are You Wearing? yet?). And with all of that chicness comes hordes of photographers to capture it all, and with all of those photographers come a slew of show-goers who seem to get dressed with only the cameras in mind. I call it "Stunt Dressing," and just like a James Franco appearance on General Hospital, it makes you scratch your head and think, "really!?" Our amazingly talented Dos and Don'ts photographer, Ronnie Andren, has been out at the shows snapping some ridiculously wild looks over the past few days, and you have to wonder if these people had anything in mind other than his lens when they left the house in the morning. 
Take this guy in the kilt. Can you imagine his inner monologue in front of his closet? "Oh I know, I'll wear my plaid blanket...but as a skirt! And then I'll totally hot glue my kid brother's stuffed animals all over my sweatshirt and shoes...he'll never miss them! And there's no way anyone will miss me! I am SO getting my picture taken today!"
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Just try and tell me this lovely lady isn't freezing her patootie off--this photo was taken in February, in New York City, and while everyone around her is bundled in hats and gloves and scarves, there's nary a coat or a pair of tights in sight. And yet she has found the strength to curtsy! Y'know how Tinkerbell needs applause to live? This woman needs flashbulbs. 
Yes, this a cape made of oversize tinsel strips. Its primary purpose? I'll give you three guesses. What's that? Nope, unfortunately it's not insulated, so warmth is out of the equation. Solar energy? Oh, if only. There is a slim-to-none chance that this baby was concocted with the sole intention of landing itself on the pages of Street Peeper. 
And while we're all for hot color combos, something tells me this fuzzy pink number with turquoise tights was inspired by nothing so much as a deep love of attention! Certain outfits just scream "look at me!" and this, my dears, is one of 'em.
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Of course, Stunt Dressing isn't just native to New York Fashion Week--I'm guessing you know a gal who once showed up to a wedding in a red sequined dress with a deep plunging V-neck? Or have an aunt who dresses half her age in miniskirts that should be twice as long when she shows up for carpool? Or possibly, just possibly, you've participated in a bit of stunt dressing yourself!? 'Fess up, gals...what do you think of this styling-yourself-for-the-cameras practice? Isn't it a little silly? Do you think street style has become the new barometer for chic? Or has it just gotten out of hand? Discuss!
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