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!"
Related: Spring 2012’s Most Wearable Fashion Trends
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.
Related: 10 Shoes Every Woman Should Own
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!
More from Glamour:
Cute Haircut Ideas for Midlength Hair
50 Things Men Are Afraid to Ask For But Want Super-Duper Badly
What Your Hairstyle Says About You (According to Guys)
fashion: trends & must-haves for your wardrobe
-
Special delivery! A guide to online beauty box clubs
Let's say sampling beauty products isn't your full-time job—should you be denied eye-cream kismet or love at first spray just because you can't track every niche brand or really kinda hate asking for freebies at the cosmetics counter? Online subscription clubs that regularly send targeted samples to your home may be your new best friend—provided you know what all those boxes of goodies will actually cost and which sites suit your specific needs. InStyle editors signed up for a whole lotta packages to help you find out.
-
The ultimate shoe guide
Browse the season’s hottest trends to find your perfect pair from InStyle’s Ultimate Shoe Guide.
-
You can do: Ballet buns
It's surprisingly easy to master the look. Just follow this insider advice from InStyle Beauty Director Amy Synnott-D'Annibale.
-
Easy does it
Slip into a soft, feminine dress with these no-sweat, all-in-one approaches to looking pulled together.
-
The best slimming swimsuits of 2013
Step away from the muu-muu. Whether your trouble spot is your stomach, hips, waist, or thighs, we've got you covered with the 10 best suits (out of 270 try-ons!) tested and photographed in our GHRI labs.
-
15 styles for thick hair
Everyone wants lush, shampoo-commercial-worthy locks — and according to Goody, 40 percent of women are lucky enough to have supersized tresses. But all that extra hair means you have to make cut and care choices carefully. These celebrities show off your best options.
-
Flat sandals for every occasion—because who needs heels?
Unless you’re one of those people who doesn’t like your feet, you like sandals. (And if not, I’d like to know know why, because sandals are easy, comfy and ideal for showing off cool nail polish colors. I love them.) They’re great for every occasion—work, weekend, beach, parties—with only one catch: it’s hard to find a single pair that’s right for all of them.
-
20 brilliant summer skin tips
The sunshiney season brings with it weird rashes, bumps, and bites-and a lot fewer clothes to cover them up. Wishing you had a dermatologist on call? Luckily, we have a phone full of top docs, so we got their clever remedies and tips for all your summer skin care woes (and saved you the copay).
-
Your perfect suit finder
Brave women of all body types did a mass try-on (we brought in over 1,000 swimsuits!) to find these flattering, flaw-erasing winners. Seriously—they're better than Photoshop. Browse, buy, and feel beautiful.
-
You gotta get white jeans!
White jeans are crisp, flattering, and summer's best unsung staple. And oh, would you look at that — we've found the perfect pair for your body. Here's how to wear them.
-
Khloé Kardashian styles you
Khloé Kardashian knows how to dress her curves. Here are her no-fail style tips for every body type.
-
9 pieces you need and can afford
Trends come and go, but these new must-haves will last a lifetime. Style expert and author of The Wow Factor: Insider Style Secrets for Every Body and Budget Jacqui Stafford's picks are here not just to stay, but also to flatter.
