I was waiting for my hairdresser to finish the chick before me while happily reading some stupid magazine that I would never admit to reading in real life. The guy on the couch next to me was young and sort of “alternative cool” looking. I saw him checking out my Limited Edition Sex Pistols Vans and began wondering if he was thinking I looked cool or like some old lady embarrassing herself – I’m sure the former…
It was then I looked up and saw this fabulously inked up color assistant (always a good “street” fashion source) wearing the most kick-ass five pocket black skinny pants. They were the blackest of black, great pocket placement and totally flattering. I decided to pounce in my typical inappropriate/semi-stalker, yet, somehow endearing sort of way. I finally got her attention and when she established I wasn’t going to harm her, she came over. I proceeded to grill her about her pants to the point of ultimately reaching into the back of her ass area to establish if they ran big or small. When she told me they were Dickies and that she had gotten a few days ago at Marshalls for like $20.00, I almost passed out. Who knew Dickies had become so fashion forward? My recollection of the brand took me back to some gas station worker pants I had worn to death in my 20’s (when I was East Village cool) that were made of the most non-breathable, uncomfortable and possibly flammable fabric ever made in the history of pants.
Needless to say, I found myself in the “School Uniform” section (the pants are in juniors / back to school department) of my neighborhood Marshalls later that day with two pairs of said pants in hand for less than a mani-pedi.
The takeaway lesson – fashion to-die-for can come in the strangest of places.
Big kiss.