It began on Friday when I got my haircut. My stylist wore a gray plaid button up shirt with black pants and creeper shoes. He was going for a Teddy Boy look the best he could with his pot belly peeking out of his shirt. But what intrigued me most about his outfit were the two L-shaped metal bars outlining the tips of each of his collar points.
The bars were simple, shiny and eye-catching. Like a silver-loving magpie with a sequin addiction, I was drawn to them and coveted them. I played it cool and coyly dropped into the conversation about how his collar tips were cool. Where did he get them, I asked.
"Oh, I got it at TopShop in London. All the British guys are wearing them. I mean, guys don't really have too many ways to make their outfits stand out without looking like a drag queen. So this is something all the guys there are doing."
TopShop? Who knew? I haven't shopped that store since it first came stateside in New York. But I quickly outgrew the clothes when i started weight training and could no longer fit into the sleeves of my favorite marching band-style jacket. So there's never been a reason to lure me back to their store (aka TopMan).
But as soon as I left the salon, I decided to think about the collar bars before going directly to the store to buy them. I didn't want to seem like a copycat, but I also wasn't sure if I wanted to be a part of a passing British trend. There was also the shame of going to the store and playing the part of the oldest grad student on the floor. TopMan is what Forever 21 is for more mature women. You don't want to be seen in there unless you're accompanied by an acne-faced teen buying clothes for school or prom.
The next day, as I was going through my closet and pile of dress shirts, I thought about how fun it would be to accessorize them with a glittering bar. Plus I told myself that acting prudish is a true sign of age. So I should just go to the store and buy them. Then I had a stroke of genius. Why go to the store at all when the internet is here like a genie in a bottle waiting to do my bidding.
YES
I bought 2 pairs of collar bars/tips like the one in the picture shown here. I mean, it's a dog tag and collar tips. These are gonna look fly on a polo shirt for the weekends. Run DMC would approve. And hip hop all star gentleman is all that I strive to be.
NO
This accessory won't make you more of a gentleman. It will just show that you really really really like accessories anywhere you can put them on your body. I'm looking at you piercing guy.
MAYBE
You have a strong will to avoid the pitfalls of passing trends. But at $4 each with free shipping, I'm only investing $8 on this trend.
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