Plaid Love: Redux

If we loved plaid last summer, we are in a long-term codependent on-again off-again relationship with it now. Phat Tony has been waxing eloquent about flannel for ages and I, having embarrassing tendencies towards adoring all things Français, am enamored with the twist of irony and the references to "American redneck culture" with which the French have embraced plaid recently. Specifically note the below courtesy of Sartorialist.


We love plaid. We love that it references both the music of the Keiths (otherwise known as Toby Keith and Keith Urban) as well 1990s grunge. We love that it can be edgy or preppy, male or female, French country or American classic. We think a pattern so protean is more than just a trend but embodies true staying power.

100th Post and a New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! And thank you for reading A Question of Taste. We've reached our 100th post and looking back on the year since the inception of the blog well, we've had a lot to say. We've embraced the idea of the retrospective and the countdown and thus, we thought we'd shine the spotlight back on you and give you a few stats on the AQoT friends out there.

Top 10 Google Searched Topics Leading People to AQoT:

10. How to Wear Leggings (you're welcome)
9. Stina Persson
8. Reese Witherspoon Divorce
7. Nora Caliguri Wedding Dress (so randomly specific)
6. High Waisted Pants (drama)
5. Pizza With Fried Egg
4. David Bromstad (we love him too)
3. McDowell School Of Dance
2. A Question of Taste
1. Justin Bobby

Top 10 (other than U.S.) Countries Reading:
10. Hong Kong
9. Singapore
8. Philippines
7. Spain
6. France
5. Germany
4. Poland
3. Australia
2. Canada
1. United Kingdom

Thanks so much for reading and as always feel free to email us with ideas and comments. We welcome stealthily taken photos of fashion faux pas. Also if you haven't already, join our Facebook group, our friends are hot, yes they are.

New Years Resolution for 2008? AQoT t-shirts. Get ready people. Fashion-forward? Perhaps. Goes with everything? Clearly.

Counting Down: Top 10 Taste Lessons Learned in 2007

Ah the new year , once again it's time for retrospectives, for toasting with friends, for countdowns. And sure, while we generally respect and incessantly create a safe space for any top 10 or top 5 list, (see Cusack's musings in High Fidelity, a la Nick Hornby), we understand that, like plaids or pleather, there's a time and place for everything. You've got to choose your moments and whatnot. In light of that, pull up a microsuede ottoman or a smartly overstuffed Desmond Ale armchair and stay a while as we count down the top 10 lessons learned through A Question of Taste in 2007.

10. Certain trends went out of style for a reason.

The Wardrobe that Time Forgot
Jodhpurs: Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em

9. Some celebrities thrive on a LACK of spotlight.

Obscurity Looks Great on Kelly Osbourne
Unemployment Looks Great on Rachel Bilson

8. Justin Bobby is the most entertaining and ridiculous thing to come out of MTV since Puck from Real World: San Francisco (although we must provide some sort of honorable mention equivalent to Irene from Real World: Seattle and the slap heard 'round the world)

Beanie Man
The Ballad of Justin Bobby

7. Men shouldn't be afraid of a little innovation and risk-taking

The Plural of Man-Purse is Men Purse
Nixon: Less Watergate, More Watch

6. The difference between cutting edge and costume is one pop of the collar away.

Pop Goes the Collar
Deconstructed Preppy: He Said

5. Bad fashion is harmful to one's health.

DEFCON Threat Level 3: Please Step Away from the Crocs

4. Don't wear things that make you look fat

Weighing In: High Waisted Pants
Whining over Wine

3. Sometimes a good dose of crazy is exactly what one needs in life.

Crazy Looks Great on Katie Holmes
Sorry Ash But We've Already Picked Our Favorite Twin

2. Whimsical = Good
Ridiculous = Very Very Bad

Madras Madras Madras
These Kids Nowadays

1. And finally, to all the friends of AQoT out there, grab some Crostini and Prosecco as we toast to wishing you a very Happy New Year and all good things in 2008.

Remember friends, trends may come and go but a good dose of judgment and ridicule lasts forever.