Thursday, December 9, 2010

I'm Not Hip

There was a time in my life when I thought it important to be in the know. No more.

I'm too busy now to pay much attention to what's in style. I admit to enjoying the Sartorialist once in a while, but that's more about what's classic or individualistic than what's hot. Being hip requires actual study. You've got to read the right magazines and blogs, watch the right TV.

I don't care anymore. I have so many other things to read, and we got rid of our cable over a year ago. (I thought I'd miss prime time. I don't.) I just don't have time to have fashion sense.

I wouldn't mind wearing the latest clothes if someone else would pick them out for me--in fact I really must do something about my wardrobe--but having the house foundation inspected is higher on my priority list than wearing the right foundation underwear.

It's a function of age, I think. You get older and your priorities change. My mother, in her later years, wore wild outfits all of one color group: purple tennis shoes, long purple skirt, purple leather belt, purple cotton blouse, purple knit sweater and purple straw hat for example--not all the same purple, but at least all purple. You couldn't miss her in a crowd the size of Oregon. This I pledge I will not do. I'm only middle-aged, though, so there's plenty of time for my lack of fashion sense to grow out of proportion in some way of my very own.

Why this photo, instead of one of me in my crappy old jeans and Led Zeppelin t-shirt? Just musing on the hipness theme after a visit to Intelligentsia where everyone else there was right out of...well, I don't know, do I? I don't read that stuff.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe not. But I like the photo. I can't even imagine what it would look like lit up.

Joanne said...

Don't kid yourself. Vintage jeans and a Led Zeppelin tshirt is about as hip as you can get. Go for it.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Abe! But that's it, lit up.

You're being nice, Joanne. I think? Or am I with it by accident?

Susan Campisi said...

That's a great photo, Petrea. Very cool.

I always feel dowdy when I go into Intelligentsia (the Silver Lake one is worse as you might imagine), but I do love the space.

Margaret said...

Great photo, and you're hip enough for me. Of course, I'm pretty fashion challenged, what with my clogs and all.

Trish said...

first thot---wow, too many lights for Chanukkah!

then thot about the hip thing. why be hip, just be eclectic and enjoy!

Petrea Burchard said...

Why go to a place that makes us feel that way, Susan? I know--good coffee. I wonder if everyone else there feels that way. Actually, the staff was very nice.

Thank you Margaret. You and your clogs are my fashion idol.

I'm with you, Trish.

Speedway said...

The one thing that looks the same to the merchants, no matter who brings it to them, is money. And, who knows, maybe you have more for coffee because it's not spent on "hip." But coffee's hip so... oh,well.

I love that shot, the small bits of light over the grid of windows. Really nice.

John Sandel said...

Don't give a bloody damn about hip. When you can produce an image like this, you sail past that into art.

Hip is for the crowd—let them huddle, in their blind reassurances. Give me your eye, your art.

"Classifiable things reek of death. You must strike out in other spheres … quit the ranks. That's the sign of masterpieces and heroes. An original, that's the person to astonish and to rule."

— Oedipus, "The Infernal Machine" (Cocteau, 1937)

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I may not be sporting a tattoo or genitle piecing, but when I see those fresh faced hipsters, I can't help but feel a tribal association. They're my people.

btw: lovely photo. the inky blues are exquisite.

Karen said...

What are you talking about?! You're one of my hippest friends!!

If you're not hip, man am I in trouble. ;-)

Honestly, I have never cared a whit about fashion (big shocker), but what I consider hip is smart, informed, creative and in-the-know. You are SO that, no doubt about it.

Mademoiselle said...

I love it. Funny you and great blug link.

Bellis said...

I'm with John, Karen and everyone else - you're hipper than hip. As for following fashion, life's too short to spend in fitting rooms, isn't it? Been there, done that.

Love the photo as well.

Kris McCracken said...

It's hip to be square!

I do love that photo, by the by.

Petrea Burchard said...

Oh gosh, I can't leave you people alone for one little afternoon...

I didn't mean to fish for compliments (thank you, though, I like them). I meant to say that it's not important. Apparently most of us are in agreement, and it doesn't matter. To each his/her own! That's hip.

TheChieftess said...

When I was in Jr High and High School, hip was very important, but it was hard for me to find hip things that fit...so...I opted for unique!!! It's always worked for me!!!

Ms M said...

Good points!And interesting photo. We can all be un-hip together in each of our own unique ways. :)

Petrea Burchard said...

EXACKLE! Unhip/unique together. Join the club. Er. Wait...

USelaine said...

I think the hipness awareness is a developmental stage for young adults of our species. It shows attunement to the group, and looks for clues to status, sharpness, even connections that might support reproductive success in a social context. They who have a greater mental inventory of what is new, current, and for newly minted adults, mind-expanding, will be seen as superior mates.

It is developmentally appropriate for me to feel far less urgent about all that now.

Am I over-thinking this again?

USelaine said...

I love the photo too. You expand me, but without all that social pressure. *whew*

Petrea Burchard said...

I don't think you're over-thinking, I think you're right. After a certain point we're no longer concerned with attracting a mate and we can get on with being ourselves. As for expanding you, what a nice thing to say. I may make it my screen-saver. :)

Gina said...

We disconnected our TV from all outside sources (cable, antenna) about a year ago. It was a vast improvement in the quality of our life.

I do, however, think the proper foundation garments can be quite life enhancing. They are one of the few things I will actually spend money on for myself. I highly recommend the lingerie department at Nordstroms. The ladies there know what they are doing.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hee hee, Gina. Everyone recommends Nordstrom but I guess I got the wrong lady when I went there. I was thinking next time I'd try the Wizard of Bras.
http://www.wizardofbras.com/