Did you watch It’s On with Alexa Chung?
According to my Instagram poll, you’re one of four who did. May it live on in our hearts.
What I really seem to miss the most though is mid-2000’s fashion, preferably that expensive boho chic look that Olsen’s and Alexa seem to have perfected and made their namesake – obnoxiously large black sunnies, smudged to high hell black eyeliner to look perfectly hungover, hobo bags so deep you’re never finding that lipstick again - that was cleaned up with a faux fur leopard print jacket or oversized kimono cardigan and slip dress underneath, complete with MAC Russian Red. I may have only been in late middle school-early high school when this was the look but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t make a resurgence this year.
I know, it all seems like a really niche thing I’m obsessing over at the moment that no one else seems to get. I guess you just had to be there. This niche obsession was brought back to me when a guy friend asked me the other day if Chanel nail polish was considered a thoughtful gift.
Of course it is, it’s Chanel.
Cue the violent flashbacks of images my brain associated with this nail polish - Glastonbury Festival Kate Moss and Pete Doherty circa 2005, Hunter wellies accompanying the short dresses and cigarette hanging precariously, the Olsens in their ripped jeans with oversized pashminas or all black outfits with perfectly smudged liner. Iconic. Buried beneath all these neutral sweaters and athleisure is the me who wants to be that bitch again. Anyone who is anyone was in agreement that this is the year Lisa Says Gah is out and it’s my proposal we replace it with our once reigning moody British or soho queens. I know you all still have your Chanel nail polish bottles buried somewhere in your closets, let’s embrace them again. Or in my case, finally buy yourself one. Preferably in a jewel tone.
All that said, I’m currently prepping my wallet to stock up on black oversized sweaters, cropped black jeans, and black ballet flats with Russian Red. Fingers crossed it doesn’t come off like a pseudo-deep poetry bitch but instead the love child of those who paved my way. The era of the macrame-rainbow-arch-painted-walls-mustard-yellow-Vans-boho-vibes is coming to an end and it’s time we embrace the power of the hobo bag again. It’s a lot of judgement on fashion for someone who works from home and wears leggings and the same hoodies daily, but I like to think my niche interests validate it.
Here’s to hoping my guy friends think it’s thoughtful enough to buy me Chanel nail polish this year.