Plaid This

Okay, Gen X’ers, this one’s for you. Remember the old days, when “high fashion” meant dressing like an unemployed lumberjack on a two-week heroin binge? Good news: it’s time to dig those Cobain-inspired plaid flannels out of the closet again. I’m sure you’ll be gratified to learn that this time around, they’re calling it the Derelict Movement (it’s pronounced in French, thank you so very much.)

Sure, the economic downturn is part of it—what better way to riff on our general brokeness than to dress like a train-hopping hobo?—but the Saturn/Uranus opposition that dominates this fashion season has its part to play, too. It’s a simple equation: Saturn in Virgo (conservative, utilitarian, anal retentive) versus Uranus in Pisces (antisocial, creative, strung out) equals Plaid in Unexpected Places.

Take a look at this slideshow from TMZ featuring some truly surprising plaids indeed. If you’re a youngster, find a thirty-something shopping buddy—trust me, we’re good at scouring the local hardware store for fabulous evening wear. Tool-belt thong, anyone?