Fashionistas

I must admit something -- I don't particularly "get" fashion. And I'm not even talking about the cut of fine Italian suits, or anything so refined. I've been told on countless occasions that the two predominant colours in my outfit don't "go" together. Don't "go" together? We're talking about colours here, not elements of the periodic table.

Nonetheless, I feel I have sufficient knowledge about the world in general to comment upon the latest trends in fashion, if only to ridicule them mercilessly.

A favourite target of mine? Sunglasses.

You see, this is an indication of how far fashion has gone that we're even talking about sunglasses. As far as I understood it, sunglasses were a necessary part of one's summer attire -- that is, they actually served some function. This applies both to glasses with prescription lenses, and those without. Either way, they are performing an admirable service.

But now, it seems, the sole goal of sunglasses is to dwarf the nose on the wearer's face. I was sitting on the train today, opposite from three young women on their way to work. Each was wearing a pair of sunglasses, and each successive pair was larger than the last. It's gotten to the stage where Earth will be a beacon to intergalactic travellers -- from space, aliens will be able to see the Great Wall of China and a cavalcade of oversized Chanel sunglasses.