Part of being in college means loving Wikipedia. No, you can't use it in a paper or as a reference point when talking to a professor, but, in reality, it's nearly always the first source we go to if we want some quick information.
Unfortunately, this weekend, for the first time, I discovered the inevitable: an inaccuracy in a Wikipedia definition. Under the category of "fashion faux pas," I found a section entirely dedicated to the Canadian tuxedo listed among the other examples of socks with sandals and visible panty lines. I'm here to tell you that Wikipedia is wrong. The Canadian tuxedo is by no means a faux pas, especially when you're in the business of making wearable contraceptives.
In case you've never heard this expression before, "Canadian Tuxedo" is used to denote the act of wearing denim jeans and a denim top/jacket at the same time. Wikipedia further elaborates by adding that "often each piece has a slightly different wash, and the outfit is sometimes accompanied by a mullet."
Now, the fashion industry has yet to go as far as to bring back the mullet (although I wouldn't put it past them), but over the past year it certainly has had no qualms about bringing back the Village People's David Hodo's construction worker look.
Actually, as a side note, I think the Village People can serve as a representative for nearly the entire fashion cycle this winter. The biker character could demonstrate this fall's leather shorts trend and the Native American could model the return to 1970s Navajo prints. All of this could be done while playing "Macho Man" (1978) over the speakers and placing a disco ball above the runway.
The David Hodo look was most present in this past year's Spring/Summer lines. In the Chloé show, among capes, ponchos and a whole lot of khaki, the designer label revealed one model clad entirely in over-sized, slouchy denim. Furthermore, Ralph Lauren's line from the same period went as far as to bring back overalls and denim messenger caps, since nothing says sexy like a late-1800s miner.
Additionally, the Canadian Tuxedo is not limited to a single gender, as demonstrated by Britney and Justin's matching denim outfits at the 2001 American Music Awards. In case you were one of the lucky few to avoid seeing the vomit-worthy duo nine years ago, picture Spears in a floor-length, strapless denim gown and Timberlake in a tuxedo-style denim jacket and pants with a matching denim hat. All of which was bedazzled, of course. I guess "Glee" forgot to mention that in their Britney episode, along with barefooted bathroom trips and head shaving.
Fortunately, while Spears delved further into insanity, Justin patiently waited for people to forget about one of the most infamous red carpet moments in fashion history. After five years of growing his manhood back, he co-founded William Rast, a contemporary high-end denim line, where he could tastefully rekindle his relationship with jeans. But after four years of building up the label, even he felt obligated to restore the Canadian tuxedo's reputation in the world, therefore revealing understated, dark wash versions of the look in his Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. One year, the fashion world mocks him, and 10 years later, he's making thousands of dollars selling them back the same look. Revenge at its finest.
But before you all go out and buy denim T-shirts and overalls, Wikipedia offers a warning: "Canadian citizens should be conscious of this faux pas, as it can result in both stereotyping and cultural discrimination." Still, my fellow Canadian students, I guess you will be getting laid this season.
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Ashley Wood is a junior majoring in English. She can be reached at Ashley.Wood@tufts.edu.
