What's "IN" and What's "OUT" List

I used to live in the Washington DC area, and every year I would look forward to the "IN" and "OUT" list that would appear in the Style Section of The Washington Post (TWP). Here it was, for those not savvy or self-assured enough to know instinctively, what was going to be THE thing to wear, eat, think, do, and avoid in the New Year to achieve maximum personal and professional success. Out went the old books, food, clothes, phrases, electronics, etc., and it was a frenzied trip to the mall to stock up and be "IN" as quickly as possible. How great it felt to have a visitor to your home glance at the coffee table and comment, "Oh, you're reading the latest book from Blah, Blah." You could then nod your head and smile smugly to yourself, knowing you haven't even leafed through the table of contents. The "List" had done its job, positioned you, like that crisp unread book on the coffee table, as one of the "IN" crowd. At least among those who also read the list. Or who cared about the list.

This year's List is interesting. I was surprised to hear that "drinking like Mad Men (the TV show) is now IN. I was a young secretary during that era, and I witnessed first hand what that was like. Vodka gimlets for lunch. The cut crystal liquor carafes in the office, which made it easy (and even acceptable) to have a drink during a meeting or casual discussion in the bosses office. I wonder how long it will take MADD to remind TWP about the statistics on alcoholism, drinking and driving and the AMA about liver disease.

I'm a little surprised at "vampire rights" as IN. I haven't heard many news reports on vampires protesting or marching to relieve unjust oppression. I am glad that boyfriend jeans are now IN, since they are way more comfortable than those designer, pencil thin, show your muffin top and more jeans that I see (not bigger than a size 2). I wonder when "Mom" jeans will come back in vogue? 20011?

I'm sorry to see that Fuji apples are now OUT, replaced by Honeycrisp. I really like Fuji, and though I risk being labled an old fuddy-duddy, I will continue to buy them and eat them. So there, TWP. They are just too good to pass up.

Finally the list found out what all us mothers in the 60's new...pots and pans in the bottom cabinets or drawers in the kitchen were THE best toys for toddlers. Organic toys are OUT, you young mothers. The problem is, a lot of moms don't cook, since the kids diet consists of frozen chicken fingers, microwaved macaroni and cheese, or something out of a box or bag, handed to them from a drive-thru window. I wonder if this listing will trigger a buying run on Calphalon (has to be designer for the young X and Yers). I can just see them texting Williams Sonoma to send the deluxe set NOW --- Tiffany or Dylan, the little darlings, are getting cranky!

The list goes on and on. I'm not going Goth, nor will I begin to wear white piping. To be honest, I don't even know what half the stuff was on the OUT list, or what the stuff was to replace it with on the IN list. Who cares. How much is driven by marketing, advertisers, and the desire to motivate people to spend, spend, spend. The desire to be IN -- in the know, "in with the IN crowd," in step, in front of the crowd. These basic desires lie behind the success of these lists. They also serve those of us who want to stand out, be different. It can be viewed as a list to avoid for 2009. Find what fits for you without the list for the Herd. Stand out. Be different. Be yourself. That's my mantra for 2009.

So much for that. I just noticed that it's already seven days into the new year. I have to get to the mall! Have a great day!