"Dress like a bourgeois, act like a revolutionary..."
In my experience, it takes one of two general styles to be accepted as a member of Ann Arbor society. The first I simply title "New Age Hippie" and believe is fairly self-explanatory. The second is called the "Snobby Ann Arborite" and takes a bit more effort (and cash) to complete.
Note that I am going for an overall Ann Arbor style here, and I realize there are far more stereotypical Ann Arborites out there. Generally speaking, however, you need three elements to complete this second look; Birkenstocks, Doc Martins, and a Northface Jacket (note that here the term "Northface" will only apply to the light-jacket/fleece variety; heavy winter shells are not included)
Well my snobby Ann Arboritism is complete; I now own a Northface jacket. Now I realize that there are a lot of Northface haters out there, people who believe that the Northface is conformist - something one wears to imbue a sense of superiority. While I shall not deny that I get a sick sense of pride strutting around in it, I am going to offer a logical defense of the Northface.
They're warm. You can't deny it. Whether it be overpriced fleece, soft-shell apex, or stretch-apex fleece, the Northface does what a $80.00 - $120.00 light jacket should do. Serious hikers disagree, claiming that the jacket is not meant for real technical outdoor activity. Hrm, guess I can't deny that one - the jacket is quite casual. However I can say that were I planning to climb Mt. Everest, I wouldn't rely on the local Moosejaw to provide my equipment. No, its not going to keep you warm fighting ex-Soviet terrorists in Siberia, but it will keep the chill off your back on the way to Starbucks for your morning latte.
They're stylishly versatile. Want to look decent when you go to class but forgot to do the laundry? Simple, just slap on a pair of jeans, your doc's (or birks, depending on what season it is...though make sure NOT to wear socks) a t-shirt and a Northface. Keep it unzipped if you're feeling really laid back (or its warm outside), or zip the jacket 3/4 to hide the pizza stain from last night's frat party. Want to look slightly dressier without overdoing it? Just drop in a few layers. Take a collared shirt or sweater, and add a Northface. Without question, the Northface is a great way to look fashionable when you're feeling lazy.
Finally, they're sporty. Are you a complete geek but want to look somewhat active to that smokin' blonde next to you in class? Throw on a Northface. Suddenly, without any effort (well, except perhaps your food budget for the month) you have the impression that you hold an active lifestyle. This reason is slightly underhanded, but I am not ashamed. It's just that simplistic games are certainly below my capabilities (aka my hands are too small to fit around a standard football), though I'm sure building some serious muscle tone with my 8-ounce coffee cup curls every morning. I am a firm believer that image is important. So what if I use a sophisticated wardrobe to hide the fact that I throw like a girl? The idea is that if I look good enough that no one will have any doubt that I can kick a 50-yard field goal.
Alas, I have laid before you my defense of the Northface. No, like anything the Northface isn't perfect, but it has some great merits that are important enough for people to pay for. Would I march through Antarctica with it? No. Would I replace my cashmere blazer with it? Certainly not. But do I get a snobby sense of pretentious pleasure when I go out in it?
Absolutely.
Note that I am going for an overall Ann Arbor style here, and I realize there are far more stereotypical Ann Arborites out there. Generally speaking, however, you need three elements to complete this second look; Birkenstocks, Doc Martins, and a Northface Jacket (note that here the term "Northface" will only apply to the light-jacket/fleece variety; heavy winter shells are not included)
Well my snobby Ann Arboritism is complete; I now own a Northface jacket. Now I realize that there are a lot of Northface haters out there, people who believe that the Northface is conformist - something one wears to imbue a sense of superiority. While I shall not deny that I get a sick sense of pride strutting around in it, I am going to offer a logical defense of the Northface.
They're warm. You can't deny it. Whether it be overpriced fleece, soft-shell apex, or stretch-apex fleece, the Northface does what a $80.00 - $120.00 light jacket should do. Serious hikers disagree, claiming that the jacket is not meant for real technical outdoor activity. Hrm, guess I can't deny that one - the jacket is quite casual. However I can say that were I planning to climb Mt. Everest, I wouldn't rely on the local Moosejaw to provide my equipment. No, its not going to keep you warm fighting ex-Soviet terrorists in Siberia, but it will keep the chill off your back on the way to Starbucks for your morning latte.
They're stylishly versatile. Want to look decent when you go to class but forgot to do the laundry? Simple, just slap on a pair of jeans, your doc's (or birks, depending on what season it is...though make sure NOT to wear socks) a t-shirt and a Northface. Keep it unzipped if you're feeling really laid back (or its warm outside), or zip the jacket 3/4 to hide the pizza stain from last night's frat party. Want to look slightly dressier without overdoing it? Just drop in a few layers. Take a collared shirt or sweater, and add a Northface. Without question, the Northface is a great way to look fashionable when you're feeling lazy.
Finally, they're sporty. Are you a complete geek but want to look somewhat active to that smokin' blonde next to you in class? Throw on a Northface. Suddenly, without any effort (well, except perhaps your food budget for the month) you have the impression that you hold an active lifestyle. This reason is slightly underhanded, but I am not ashamed. It's just that simplistic games are certainly below my capabilities (aka my hands are too small to fit around a standard football), though I'm sure building some serious muscle tone with my 8-ounce coffee cup curls every morning. I am a firm believer that image is important. So what if I use a sophisticated wardrobe to hide the fact that I throw like a girl? The idea is that if I look good enough that no one will have any doubt that I can kick a 50-yard field goal.
Alas, I have laid before you my defense of the Northface. No, like anything the Northface isn't perfect, but it has some great merits that are important enough for people to pay for. Would I march through Antarctica with it? No. Would I replace my cashmere blazer with it? Certainly not. But do I get a snobby sense of pretentious pleasure when I go out in it?
Absolutely.