Trend talk: what's not hot in 2004

By Christopher DaCosta

Still tingling from my winter break exploits in a freak Seattle snowstorm (hey, I'm from California â€" any snow is an epic adventure), I attempted to brave the lines at the good old campus bookstore. My efforts were thwarted by my sudden collapse in the textbook department. Perhaps I am exaggerating. Replace "sudden collapse" with "grim realization that I was being pilfered out of $600." That's right, either I eat for six weeks or become well-versed in the sacred texts of business ethics and marketing principles. Hmm...

I suppose I shouldn't be complaining â€" this is the place where people tote their cell phones to class in their $3,000 purses. Who has money or time for textbooks when you own anything Louis Vuitton?

The craze began last year, after several celebrities were seen schulmping the bulky and gaudy clothier's purses. It became an obsession when the media-whore from the block, J. Lo, signed to be the face of Louis Vuitton's advertising campaign. This year, I am putting an end to the mania by declaring Louis Vuitton at the top of my boycott list.

Which brings me to my first annual compilation of the more annoying things in life: bad fashion, played out trends, and all things past their use-by date.

1. Louis Vuitton: purveyor of expensive and tacky goods â€" ugh, monograms are so 2003.

2. Uggs â€" actually short for "butt-ugly," this Aussie footwear is made from premium sheepskin. Do you wear pajamas in public places other than a college campus? No? Yeah, then don't be caught dead wearing these to class unless you've got an alibi or are willing to identify as an Australian sheep-herder.

3. Bling â€" usually restricted to a specific demographic, the Bling Bling phenomena has outlived it's stay. Ostentatious jewels, timepieces and capped teeth are things of the past. And if you Beyonce-wannabes keep milking her chandelier-earring trend, keep in mind you face irreversible lobe damage.

4. Non-iPod music players â€" yes, we all know everyone and their mother got one for Christmas. Those tell-tale white earphones are popping up everywhere. iPods along with the newly spawned iPod-mini are the hot must-have of 2004.

5. "The Real World: San Diego" â€" okay, I admit it, I am a "Real World" fan and it serves its purpose as mindless entertainment. However, the "unique" cast of each season often veers to the stereotypical side. This reality show got the ball rolling for other shows of the same genre, but the whole "seven strangers" spiel is getting rather tired. Come on, who needs "Real World" when you have roommates like mine?

Contact Christopher DaCosta at (408) 554-4546 or cdacosta@scu.edu.