El-No: Never Mix Business with Pleasure

Like an artist uses color and shape, musicians use costume to visually illustrate the essence of their songs. Lady Gaga, a lover of all things extreme, is known for her insane fashion and videos. Bizarre is her brand.

But there is unquestionably a difference between real life and the stage. Her fantasy fashion doesn’t really fit in our reality. If Gaga jumped off a cliff, would you too?

And that brings us to this unfortunate music lover. There’s a time and a place for leotards and thigh high lace. This isn’t one of them.

Of course you would wear something fashion forward to a Gaga gig. But this unflattering attempt at mixing sexualized shock value with comfortable Converse and a boxy maroon blazer leaves me cold. Miss El-No looks like she is interning in the accounting department at the Bunny Ranch.

If only her legs could talk. "Help! Free me from this painful nylon web!"

It’s good to be inventive and ironic. But Miss El-No’s attempt at edgy ended up looking schizophrenic and uncomplimentary.

Push the envelope in a more flattering and creative way. Stop into the Andersonville Galleria, Wicker Park’s Anastasia Chatzka boutique, or Lincoln Park’s new Local Lookbook. These destinations offer creations made by young local designers. These hip pieces will wake up your wardrobe and bring in a bit of sass to the everyday.

* Thanks for the photo DH