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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: They're not real, they're fashion

Neighborhood Watch finds fashionable folk all across the city. This time around, our Neighborhood Watchers travel to West Philly, where neither was born, nor raised.

Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West

Brittany J. (21) says her fashion sense is driven by how she wakes up feeling in the morning and on this day she was happy and excited. She bought most of her apparel at stores like Urban Outfitters, but it doesn't matter where it comes from as long as you have a vision and we think Brittany's is 20/20 even though she says the glasses aren't helping at all. "They're not real, they're fashion."

Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West

We have to admit, Laura F.'s (26) look is borderline hot mess but she pulls the mish mash off like an Olympic champion. Hailing from London, she says there is a distinct difference between the outrageous fashions she grew up with and the more toned-own style she sees in West Philly. When hunting for something different than what you'd find on the racks at the Gap she usually turns to eBay, which is where she found that awesome acid washed jacket and the kitty cat shirt that was unfortunately covered by three other layers and a strand of pearls.

Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West

As a philosophy major Ross L. (22), has profound insight into fashion. "I have a hatred of modern fashion, which is a vile slovenly lack of discern," he says. He puts to good use these dusty duds that scream thrift store bargain rack and is able to mix contemporary pieces — tight slacks and department store coat — with grandpa vintage —all the rest — to pull together a bewildered philosophy professor look that is only missing a pipe.

Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West

With all of our artsy fartsy finds, Tiffani A. (27) entered the scene with a touch of sass to slap us back into reality. "I'm all about enhancing yourself — dye, contacts, extensions, whatever," she says. It may sound like a superficial opinion, but we found nothing fake about this sweet, beautiful girl who finds inspiration from urban music stars like Kelis. And we always love a girl who's confident enough to strike a pose. "When you look good, you feel good," she says.

Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West

Yusan H. (25), a biochemistry and physics student, doesn't let a monotonous sounding grad program interfere with her artistic sense of style. Her individualism sets her apart from her days spent with microscopes and Petri dishes but her scientific knowledge comes into play when experimenting with this eclectic mix of local, handmade and designer goods. She picked up the blue glasses at Reward (55 North 2nd St.) — according to her, the best boutique in Philadelphia — the scarf is from Etsy designer Yokoo and her jacket is by Ann-Sofie Back, a designer for Cheap Monday. Yusan you win our Favorite Fashion of the Week Award.

Posted by Julia West @ 9:07 PM Permalink | Fashion | Post a comment

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About Critical Mass

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene. If you have tips or suggestions, email josh.middleton@citypaper.net.

Follow Critical Mass editors Josh Middleton, Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

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