|
|
|
chicago home
events calendar
bars & clubs movie clock restaurants specials best of chicago 
art
film and video food and drink music and clubs stage style words sports features |
|
|
 The Parade of Summer Field Guide to the Magnificent Mile: Abridged
Passing stranger! you do not know how longingly I look upon you.
--From "To a Stranger," by Walt Whitman Decapitated heads of tulips lay splayed over decorative beds along
Michigan Avenue as spring turns. The summer wind brings in a thrush of
color in the teaming multitude of strangers on the Magnificent Mile.
Immense in scope, the classification of the species that take the
promenade is far beyond the means of a mere article. Such an endeavor
demands a Jacques-Cousteau-like depth and a heavy prescription of Xanax.
This being my only caveat, I give you a tasting blanket of the more
peculiar anamules on parade, from bulbous suburbanites and tourists to
the lean and harrowed hags of the avenue. Banana Fanna & Me My Moe
On the royal block of Chicago and Michigan, amid the monolithic Ralph
Lauren flagship, Neiman Marcus and Tiffany's, the proliferate Banana
Fanna (f.) and Me My Moe (m.) can be seen streaming in and out of the
marquis Banana Republic and Pottery Barn, in confident stride, Mon-Sat,
10am-8pm and Sundays 11am-6pm. Neat white bag over shoulder or slung
casually down, they prance and gaze into the mirrored windows on the
avenue, smiling into their cell phones. They travel in pairs and overuse
the word "nice." They are neat to a T and teeth-whitened to a
sparkling gleam; the women are crisp, clean and self-impressed urban
chic; the men are relaxed pants and flowy shirts reminiscent of a
fresh-washed pillowcase. They are like so totally super cute. Cubby Bear
Out of their common territory, the Cubby Bear ventures onto the
Magnificent Mile unperturbed, as if walking through a slow third inning.
The men wear cargo shorts and jerseys of players that most resemble
their inner animal and the women wear cutesy girl-boy Cubs shirts and
denim shorts. They display the gamut of fitted Cubs hats and even visors
during particularly hot days. Their escapades typically end by the river
as they circle in front of the Wrigley and Tribune buildings,
reminiscing about Andre Dawson, while asking people where the Billy Goat
Tavern is. Demi-God (A.K.A. Golden Gorgon)
These creatures seem sprung from the green room of a runway show and
dazzle the avenue during their rare flights, zigzagging from one couture
boutique to another. After an espresso drink at the Rush Street
Starbucks, they glide through Barney's and saunter down Oak, having a
casual glance at Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel before blazing Michigan
Avenue with a light touch of plastic, leaving a dust of stars and
perfume in their wake. They are tall, tailored and impeccable and could
have stepped directly from an episode of "Passions." They have an
estimated value of $17,900 if undressed and sold as scrap on eBay. Duo-tone Denim
The classic Duo-tone Denim is perhaps the hardest of all species to
delineate, but can be categorized into three general types: City Girl
The City Girl is invariably from out-of-town. She appears boxy and
inflexible, often wearing a high-waisted pant that snips her rear end to
look like an overgrown turnip. There is usually some embroidery,
insignia or other such ornament on her jacket and/or pants. They can be
found during daylight hours waiting in line for Garrett popcorn. Bourgeois Cowboy
The male and female species of the Bourgeois Cowboy are equal in
number and deadly sexy. They have the hips and panache of a movie star
and are too sexy for Milan, New York and Japan. They are models, you
know what I mean? And they do their little turn on the catwalk. They
shake their little touches on the catwalk. On their satchels or the
lapels of their dark-wash, distressed denim jackets are tactfully
arranged one-inch fashion pins that pledge allegiance to independence or
a band that captures a portion of their fucking essence, man. They have
excellent, often ironic taste in sunglasses and typically wear
thick-rimmed spectacles. Groomed exclusively at Sine Qua Non and Art +
Science, they are too sexy from their hair down to their playful yet
challenging footwear. POW/MIA
The POW/MIA is serious. The POW/MIA has seen things you couldn't
dream of. They don't have time for any of your bullshit. But they like
the large portions and sauce of the big eateries on Michigan and can
even be found browsing Water Tower with Harley Davidson shopping bags
curled in their fists. They are light-wash denim, trucker cap, black
T-shirt and bandana. They will so kick your ass. Easy Spirit
The smart, active, practical, up-to-date, in-control Easy Spirit
takes it as it comes, tells it like it is, and thinks that everyone is
dealt a set of cards in this life. She appears urbane in
work-appropriate attire and athletic sneakers. She isn't into anything
weird and likes to describe herself as "just a normal person." She can
be spotted darting toward some form of public transportation, Anne
Taylor, any sale rack or department-store hosiery section. Explorer
These happy wanderers are completely harmless and banal. Either
over-tall or too short, they walk about in their REI Explorer Hats of
graphite-, khaki- or canteen-colored duck cloth. Braided chin-cord is
toggled to keep hat on in windy conditions, and the brass snaps on
either side of the hat allows the Explorer to snap up one or both sides
of the brim depending on the position of the sun. The have slight
stubble to a full, groomed beard and have a jaunty, tight-assed walk.
Their packs are lightweight, durable, waterproof and contain at least
one item that will remind them of a time they spent traveling in an
exotic land, for a unusual reason, that shows them to be a resilient,
mildly passionate, salt-of-the-earth sort of person. They tend to swarm
Edie Bauer, L.L. Bean, Orvis and Brookstone stores, especially by the
massage chairs with butt-rolling motion. La Perla (A.K.A. "Queen of Night")
She is the Parisian facsimile, but always just off the mark. She
exudes some style and provocativeness, with a long display of intricate
lace tights that, ultimately, have streetwalker allure. Some vibrant or
off-kilter colored accessory throws everything off balance but seems
somewhat interesting. She moves quickly, alone, and definitely does not
want to talk to you. Ladies Man
His jeans are strangely bleached, painfully tight and scream bikini
briefs. Something about the Ladies Man is either floral, velvet,
ruffled, sueded, tasseled or wet with a touch of International Male.
They are best characterized as askew, as evidenced in the
disproportionate musculature of their upper body, cut of their collar,
placement of their lapel pockets or fade of their aviator sunglasses. In
hand is a babe-magnetic man-purse or fisted leather motocross jacket. In
tow is a trio of Gold Coin condoms and photos of their $1600 Doberman
Pinscher named Zora. Madame (A.K.A. Flaming Parrot)
The Madame is a spectre, a plume of hundred-year-old perfume and
crêpe de Chine. They glide noiselessly from afternoon tea at the Drake
to the perfume department at Water Tower Place, then on toward Grand
Lux, stopping along the way to look at ceramics and crystal. Their
tanned skins make them impervious to the elements and certain
reconstructed parts of their visage are indestructible, however frail
they may seem. When stationary, they are easily mistaken for a piece of
Burberry luggage, but it is crucial to never touch them for fear of a
number of terrifying consequences. Marco Polo
The subtle variation of the Marco Polo is beyond pique, interlock,
lisle and jersey weaves. They can only be understood by the layperson in
broad terms, thus the following treatment for three of the most commonly
seen of the species (it should be noted that brand and color of polo are
of no use as an indicator, but sizing, style of dress and
position/layering of collars are): Neo-con
These are the straight polo, loafer, down-turned-collar, monogrammed
accessory, chino type. They carry a light windbreaker or all-season
cashmere sweater, a prim fiancé and a pair of silver-haired, congenial
parents. They walk arm in arm, tidying up errands at Williams Sonoma and
Crate & Barrel, the men stopping occasionally to laugh and smoke cigars.
Their hair is lush, longish and slightly wavy. Cuffs always match the
collar. The Xbox
There is some overlap between all Marco Polos, but what usually sets
the Xbox apart are baggy, wide-bottomed jeans, long-billed baseball
caps, oversized everything and a token hoochie. They often wear their
collars up and layer as many as three polos at a time. Their calls are,
"Yo," "O snap," "That's raw/the shit," and "Fork me over some of
that." They congregate in the Food Life food court, Niketown and Apple
store where they bob their heads and practice ninja moves. Joe
Joe is boxers not briefs, loose-fit not relaxed, adjustable not
fitted. He is a walking, talking, margarita-drinking cheeseburger in
paradise. He says, "right on," "hey dufus," and quotes "The
Simpsons" interminably. Everything reminds him of a "Seinfeld"
episode, especially his own commonsensical sense of humor. North Facer
No couple looks more at home on the street than the ubiquitous North
Facer. They come in Ionos Purple, Ibiza Blue, Geisha Red, Moonlight
Ivory and an array of disparate yet similar colors, but mostly black.
They are commonly spotted walking away from a Starbucks, at odd angles,
holding Venti® lattes. The species germinates from the northern part of
the Magnificent Mile, in the ground level of the Hancock Building, and
thrive throughout the year but especially in early summer when they
showcase their subtly differentiated variety of the elusive light summer
jacket. Postmodern Hippie
If you took an Emo, Punk, Goth, Dead Head and a sci-fi fantasy freak
and ran them through a meat grinder, shaped them into patties, and baked
them at 420? while you chilled for a bit, you'd get three Postmodern
Hippies and a miniature Chihuahua with a Mohawk. They like sitting on
the sidewalk, brooding and begging for change to buy Drum cigarettes
with. They live on coffee and Jimmy John's day-old bread loaves. Steely Dan
More commonly known in the Midwest as "The Body Guard" or
"Nutcracker," this particularly male species lurks in nearly every
crowd and gives the impression that he or she will inevitably pounce,
and it will be your fault. Tracksuits, denim shorts and a rigid,
lumbering walk signify them, along with iconographic gold jewelry, sport
watches and a wrenched, clenched-molars expression. They are most often
found walking with two-to-five overweight, frantic-eyed and
shopping-bagged women in high-waisted pants. Wiggèd Chicken Head
This predominantly female species is remarkable for their elaborate
woven hairpieces. Towering and fanned nests of red and/or gold sit on
their heads immovably. Whether fishtailed, twisted, braided, in Bantu
knots or locks, the effect is shocking. This peculiar artistry is meant
for gazing at and appreciating, as indicated in their certain and
steadfast gait. They usually travel solo or with an equally brilliant
girlfriend.
Also by Fred Sasaki The Agony and the Ecstasy
The Agony and the Ecstasy
The Agony and the Ecstasy
The Agony and the Ecstasy
Love and Sex: Waxing Poetic
The Agony and the Ecstasy
The Agony and the Ecstasy
The Agony and the Ecstasy
The Agony and the Ecstasy
The Agony and the Ecstasy
976-POET
Animals of the Wild
|
|
about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment |
