Everywhere I walk on the streets of Manhattan, I see monochrome outfits, gold jewelry, hair styling, and trench coats.
There's nothing new or inventive, it's all based on the TikTok "Manhattan girly" aesthetic. Or whatever that is, for the matter.
To me, it's just simple and boring. Yes, it looks nice, but somehow the trends we see on social media and around the city dictate how expensive women are?!?!
I'm all for being high maintenance, but deep down I wonder how we mingle the idea of monochrome and a void of colors when high maintenance typically uses jewel tones and an abundance of jewelry.
Beige is not the new gold.
Chromophobia by David Batchelor explains more.
It all starts with colonialism, and how they found the idea of colors primitive, Carl Jennings explains, "Color was feared and marginalized in the West for two main reasons. It spoke of the primitive, the feminine, the infantile, and the pathological — it was thought of as a dangerous distraction and a corrupting influence because it appealed to the emotions rather than reason."
As I walk the streets of Manhattan, I'm reminded of how people not only have below-average intelligence — — but they don't understand where these trends come from.
Stacking colors is an art form, it's also an act of rebellion. The number of times I've walked around the desi community styled using body shape and good contrast is when people have looked at me in the most awe. It's a reflection of someone else of their growth. Most people in the desi community think Tommy Hilfiger or Gucci would suffice — — but deep down they wonder how they could elevate their look.
And then if you see those who grew up in American culture attend Indian weddings — their facial expressions at the grandeur of Indian fashion tell me everything.
It's unsettling for them. It's an exotic experience, not a respected "high-maintenance" and rich culture.
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