Wet Seal

In late 1980’s-1990, I worked for Contempo Casuals. It was back then, a very hip store with very moderate prices. The clothing reflected the trends; yet they did not scrimp on quality. Their parent company was the Neiman Marcus Groups. Unfortunately, Contempo Casuals were bought out in 1995 by Wet Seal. Wet Seal slowly converted the stores in their brand name, and sadly it has never been the same.
Correction: They still play awful music.
I am not sure what made me venture in today. Perhaps it was for nostalgia’s sake. Whatever the case, I can tell you that I felt really old and out of place. There is absolutely nothing that anyone over the age of 18 should be wearing in this store. If you are over 18 and still wearing this type of clothing, your mother did not teach you about quality over quantity. Their clothing looked and felt cheap. Wet Seal takes «trendy» to a new level. These are clothes that are made to last only one season. Tons of Dayglo colors, plastic pumps, and cheap accessories. It was as if someone took all the ugly fashion aspects of the 80s and made it even tackier. Even their buy 1 get 1 for a penny sale did not entice me.
Coco Chanel once said, «Fashion fades, only style remains the same.»

As if having a Forever 21 isn’t an embarrassment of riches, our own North Riverside Park mall has a Wet Seal too. I have a feeling I’ll be spending a lot of time there in the not so distant future. Today my pre-​teen went in to have a look around and try a few things on (she’s tiny, so nothing fit).
As these stores go, Wet Seal is not so bad. The store is clean, well-​lit, organized, and not everything in it screams «hoochie mama.» Accessories from earrings to shoes were part of the mix.