Thanks to “Real Housewives,” Atlanta is dubbed 7th worst dressed
Atlanta ranked #7 in Travel + Leisure’s list of “America’s Worst-Dressed People,” and the Real Housewives of Atlanta are to thank.
“If the flashy reality-TV stars of The Real Housewives of Atlanta are at all indicative of how the rest of Atlanta dresses, it’s no wonder our readers ranked it as America’s No. 7 least-stylish city,” the travel mag’s site sniffs. “Hotlanta has one of the highest per capita incomes of any southern city, but as the TV show illustrates and the saying goes: money can’t buy taste.”
Say what?
Come on, five Housewives drag a whole city down? And while the ladies’ antics may be a bit extreme on occasion they usually manage to frock up pretty well in our opinion. Here’s a great photo of Cynthia Bailey, who’s a model and a cast member, strutting her stuff with husband Peter and Simone the poodle at the recent Doggies on the Catwalk fundraiser. The event was held recently at Room and Board and benefited PALS Atlanta, a charity that provides basic vet care and food to the companion animals of Atlantans with serious illnesses.
Other cities on the list include Salt Lake City, drubbed for its “squeaky clean” fashion sense; San Antonio, which the list noted “is known for rodeos, not runways;” Portland, Maine, which “isn’t where you come to try on cutting-edge clothing.” (No, it’s wear you go to wear fisherman sweaters and duck boots; the city is half an hour from the L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport, Maine).
Orlando also makes the list, which seems a bit unfair, since tourists dressed for comfort accounted for its No. 4 spot.
But back to Atlanta. Do we deserve to get dinged for our fashion sense?
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
114 comments Add your comment
Mikki Livingston
May 30th, 2012
11:43 am
Let’s shut the front door, and let people wear what they want too. Let us be decent and in order, and not show our under wear, which should be private,,,,no one should be able to see what’s under out clothing.
martin
May 30th, 2012
11:46 am
Thet should of polled just midtown and the real Buckhead betty’s, then we would not of been n this list. RHOA represents the Ghetto of Atlanta.
GA Born GA Raised
May 30th, 2012
11:59 am
The facts are the people who “claim” Atlanta are not really from here, matter of fact, most people living in Atlanta are doing just that, LIVING!!! They’re NOT from here, they’re not even from Georgia period!!!
These people are transplants like 90% of the “Housewives” so for the magazine to say this is super stupid, get the facts right!
Miss J
May 30th, 2012
12:12 pm
The top ten reasons we should be # 1
1. Pants on the ground
2. The goth look
3. BAPs (i.e. Sha na na type hairstyles)
4. Big girls wearing clothes 3 sizes too small.
5. Sweat Paints – faded jeans
6. Flip flops
7. Women dressing like ladies of the evening
8. Men dressing like women (and not pulling it off – hey we know you’re a dude (tuck it ——–study Ru Paul guys).
9. Women dressing like men (we know your a female….use a vest to flatten the chest).
10. Rednecks and ghetto folks – yall needs a make over honey……
Miss J
May 30th, 2012
12:14 pm
Should have been # 1
Miss J
May 30th, 2012
12:16 pm
The top 5 reasons ATL should have been # 1
1. Pants on the ground
2. Men dressing like Women (hey we know you’re a dude)
3. Women dressing like Men
4. The Goth look
5. Rednecs and Ghetto folks – yall needs a make over.
Whatever
May 30th, 2012
12:22 pm
Yes …….THERE ARE NO MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO TALK ABOUT LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT< CRIME, AND EDUCATION.
SolowDontCare
May 30th, 2012
12:23 pm
Well, when half the young men in Atlanta walk around like they are waiting to take a sh|t with their pants already down, I’d have to agree…….Atlanta has NO sense of fashion. If anyone is wondering……..I live in Atlanta, but I was raised in Chicago…..HUGE difference. Not too many nappy dreads, gold “teefess” and hardly any slutty, half naked women at the malls and walking around downtown.
Alicia
May 30th, 2012
12:24 pm
I think it is time for all of the complainers and criticizers to move back home. Why did you move here, anyway? If you don’t like our town, please go back home.
Daedoles
May 30th, 2012
12:31 pm
To #1 Foxy Lady…you may think you epitomize the latest in fashion but your English is atrocious.
Sayitaintso
May 30th, 2012
12:33 pm
I’ll give you sagging pants, but a very close #2 is all these fake, curly, not your natural color wigs and weaves. Oh, by the bay, the young girls are now wearing sagging pants and thongs showing….just damn!!
Miss J
May 30th, 2012
12:33 pm
Enter your comments here
Mandy
May 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
Atlanta should get some major points for being the home town of where Spanx’s come from.
97% of blacks voted for Obama because he's black
May 30th, 2012
12:39 pm
Weaves,dreads,cornrows,face jewelery,tattoos,high heeled tennis shoes,gold teeth,pants on the ground,ball caps turned sideways with tags on them,….a culture so desperate for attention.
What’s really funny is that they don’t even know how stupid they look.
Brain Cell
May 30th, 2012
12:39 pm
Travel + Leisure is tied at #1 on my list of stupidest waste of money publications.
Maxim is the other one.
A Simple Kind of Truth
May 30th, 2012
12:40 pm
Where does Gwinnett County rank?
Alan
May 30th, 2012
12:42 pm
Well duh! Have you seen what the black people in this city wear???
Latest Buy Fashion News - Fashion New
May 30th, 2012
12:49 pm
[...] Thanks to “Real Housewives,” Atlanta is dubbed 7th worst dressed “Hotlanta has one of the highest per capita incomes of any southern city, but as the TV show illustrates and the saying goes: money can't buy taste.” Come on, five Housewives drag a whole city down? And while the ladies' antics may be a bit extreme on … Read more on Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Elizabeth
May 30th, 2012
12:50 pm
Gag. This show needs to get off the air immediately. Why oh why do they allow such ridiculous shows (and people) to get on TV.
Lea
May 30th, 2012
1:01 pm
It’s about time. No, they DO NOT represent Atlanta to anyone living here, but outside Atlanta they certainly do. What did you expect people to think?
Derek
May 30th, 2012
1:05 pm
I’ve never seen the show, but I have to agree that Atlanta citizens are typically lacking in clothing style. I live in the Northeast, and when I travel to Atlanta, I do notice. Very bland clothing, too casual, and everyone wears the same thing (seasonal line from Dillards/Macys).
Sensationalistic
May 30th, 2012
1:11 pm
Lest we forget that Atlanta is divided into more styles than seen on RHOA.
1. People that wear their Masters Visor/Hat everywhere.
2. People that wear oversized polos.
3. People that wear too many layers for the weather.
4. People that wear a vest because they think that makes them look classy.
pigs
May 30th, 2012
1:16 pm
Those gross pigs are disgusting……….and every single black person under 40 having to hold their pants up with one hand b/c they are dedicated to look like the rappers they so highly aspire to be, sure isn’t helping the country’s perception of my city. Thanks a lot you poor fools, now please take your lotto buying somewhere else I’m trying to pay for my stuff, I have somewhere to be
lost in windy
May 30th, 2012
1:18 pm
Your should feel fortunate. If they were judging lack of class and golddiggers based on the show, Atlanta would have been ranked number one. Then again…….
Elizabeth
May 30th, 2012
1:21 pm
I think the real issue isn’t whether or not we make the “worst dressed” list but that people actually watch this show! It’s so sad.
Southern Girl
May 30th, 2012
1:21 pm
What I see most here is not just a lack of style but a lack of a sense of self. When you have grandmothers idolizing reality stars what would you expect from their offspring. Whatever fashion, attitude and behavior is portrayed on videos and not-reality shows is what is imitated. It’s sad that so many can’t see outside the idiot box. It’s even sadder to watch society take these giant leaps backwards. And to these managers who hire people with sagging pants and unprofessional attitudes I say shame on you for not demanding and expecting better. What incentive have you given for them to better themselves?? You’re part of the problem. Kudos to places like Chick-fil-A for demanding a respectful and professional young work force.
Screaming Out Loud
May 30th, 2012
1:28 pm
I think the RHOA dress better than some of the folks I see on the streets here in Atlanta. FYI, just because its in your size doesn’t mean you should wear it.
woodrow
May 30th, 2012
1:55 pm
If they are wearing hoodies, sunglasses indoors, and have pants on the ground, then they are probably from Atlanta.
dee
May 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
Maybe people should start wearing overalls and cowboy boots so Atlanta can become #1.
Emily
May 30th, 2012
2:00 pm
country meet city….. hot mess!
The Bald Eagle
May 30th, 2012
2:09 pm
Part of Atlanta’s problem is just the heat. It’s difficult to dress fashionably when the heat index is 110 and the humidity makes it feel like a sauna even at night. You just want to wear something cool or something that hides the sweat, regardless of how it looks.
Terry
May 30th, 2012
2:13 pm
Sorry, um hello, the “Real Housewives,” didn’t do this. Pleated pants did! LOL
Terry
May 30th, 2012
2:14 pm
Sorry Bald Eagle, it’s called LINEN! HELLO
Sheri
May 30th, 2012
2:24 pm
Well, I gotta say that I do love to wear my flip-flops and I am not real concerned what anyone thinks about it. I dress up when it’s warranted and wear professional attire to work 5 days per week. But after work and on the weekends I would rather be comfortable. I still dress nice, but canual/comfortable.
I do feel that judging the whole of Atlanta by what the RHOA girls wear is just ignorant. I mean come on, Kim Z. looks like a drag queen at best. These women are all about extremes, if the show was Regular Housewives of Atlanta it would be boring an no one would watch it. They find the most controversial train wrecks they can to cast this show and I am sure about 75% of it is scripted. its all about the ratings.
Cramped
May 30th, 2012
2:39 pm
@Southern Girl THANK YOU!!! Well put!!
Sheri
May 30th, 2012
2:45 pm
@ Screaming Out Loud. I hear ya about the just because it your size does not mean you should wear it…but most of the time its “you really should have bought that in your size”. I see a lot of young girls wearing low cut pants, really short shorts and way-too-tight little tops. Muffin top and camel toe are never a good look. My Momma always taught me that if you have to shave to wear it, its probably too short. Most of the people that I see the clothes are not too bad, but they are just not the right size. If you try on a blouse and the buttons gape open across your chest, then its too tight tight and you need a bigger size.
olegirlga
May 30th, 2012
2:50 pm
Atl rating’s dropped, LONG before housewives. You might say early 1990’s. I have lived here over 35 years, and recall Women wearing Mink to work/while riding Marta!
Maggie
May 30th, 2012
2:53 pm
RHOA aside, the fashion in this town can be horrendous. Money can not buy taste. I’m tired of seeing men with their pants around their knees and underwear handing out. I’m tired of women in too tight/too short/too revealing clothing with real or fake designer duds labeling them. There are certainly those who dress well and know how to wear clothes (vs. their clothes wearing them) but it would be nice if the city could stage a What Not To Wear type TV show and start cleaning things up!
30349
May 30th, 2012
3:37 pm
WOW, Really #1 Foxy Lady!! Louis Vitton and Channel?? You obviously work at the Foxy Lady lounge because your education (or lack of education) is showing baby. LOL at your stupidity!!
Kimonjolo Jones-X
May 30th, 2012
3:55 pm
Shet Up!
Pauly Vinnie York
May 30th, 2012
4:04 pm
Simple and Elegant – dats right! Do like we do in Joisey. Hawaiian shoit, shortz with black knee socks and sandals, sunglasses and a neckful of chains.
suga
May 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
WOMEN PLEASE REMEMBER……..YOU CAN PURCHASE BODY SHAPERS OR GIRDLE’S, At Sears, Walmart, K-mart, Macy & Dillards.
Angrymeatball
May 30th, 2012
4:13 pm
I agree that the Atlanta Housepigs are definitely not helping the image of Atlanta on many levels. However, if I see one more woman over 30 wearing those disgusting khaki capries with an elastic waistband, Disney tee-shirts, anklets and tennis shoes, I am going to scream. I see it all the time! Women who look like they rolled out of bed and off they go to shop, get their nails done, pick up dinner. I see handsome, well-dressed men walking alongside women who take no pride in how they look on any level. And so many women wonder why their man’s eyes are looking elsewhere. Turning 30, 40, 50, even 60, doesn’t mean giving up. Ladies, have some self respect, and take the extra 20 minutes it takes to make yourself look pretty. And, no, don’t EVEN give me the excuse about taking care of families, kids, no time, blah, blah, blah. My mother raised three daughters and worked full time with a husband who traveled, yet she looked beautiful every day of her life and, we had little money. Feeling pretty, feeling sexy, and taking pride in being a woman should matter when you ARE a woman. You have the resources at your fingertips. It costs very little to keep yourself looking nice. Try it, your man might actually take notice.
Shelley Horton
May 30th, 2012
4:27 pm
Just came back from Scottsdale, and yes Hotlanta is ghetto!
Travel + Leisure deems Boston one of America’s Worst-Dressed Cities (wah wah) – Boston.com | Mesa Az News, Weather, Jobs, and Hotels
May 30th, 2012
4:34 pm
[...] Sun (blog)Kansas City is Travel + Leisure's 10th worst-dressed city in the nationPitch WeeklyAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -fox4kc.com -Atlanta Business Chronicle (blog)all 24 news [...]
So Cal
May 30th, 2012
4:53 pm
This is all just so shallow and so East Coast. At least the Beverly Hills housewives have real money!
Jennifer Brett
May 30th, 2012
5:05 pm
Furious Styles
May 30th, 2012
10:16 am
That Travel Mag lost all its credibility by calling Atlanta Hotlanta. That term was dropped over a decade ago. Nobody who live in Atlanta or even Georgia uses that anymore. Proof that people watch too much damn tv. So much for good journalism and research.
————————————————————
I wondered when someone would pick up on that!
Jennifer
mamaj
May 30th, 2012
5:06 pm
@ Angrymeatball,
You are exactly that—angry for no reason. Atlanta Housepigs?…really? They may need to stop some of their childish antics on the show, but each and every one of those WOMEN are well put together every time they step out, so I don’t even know what you are talking about. For God’s sake, people should be able to wear what they please as long as it is within the lines of decency–clean and well groomed. Just like one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, looking pretty, sexy and taking pride in one’s self is really subjective. I suspect that there are other motives behind blaming the Housewives for Atlanta’s 7th worst dressed crown, but please know, Atlanta runs the gamut in fashion….and that includes ALL colors and cultures.
mark
May 30th, 2012
5:08 pm
yes they deserve it, the atl is supposed to be an international city. most of the people come from some hick town. and the way they dress it show. and their attitude stinks.
Mannie
May 30th, 2012
5:30 pm
Remember, Atlanta is a huge melting pot of other cities(i.e.New Yorkers,LA,Chicago,DC/MD/VA) so what does that say about our fashion as an entire country. Fashion isn’t about what is most expensive but how can you incorporate your own style .