The Top 5 Most Stylish Cities in America

Hardly the fashion authority, I shall present my top five list of the most stylish cities in America. Perhaps it is to my advantage that I am in fact, a fashion industry outsider. I shall not rely upon any preconceived notions or dogma. This is strictly common sense; I know what I like. In addition to the obvious factors, we shall utilize the following unconventional methods: numbers of good looking women, preponderance of graybeard sugar daddies, and the Pat Riley factor.

Sorry, Chicago, the Windy City did not quite make the cut. Although I would identify Chicago and Minneapolis as the most happening locales of Middle America - geographically, the Midwest is not an area that permits the establishment of setting haute couture trends. The harsh winters, blue-collar vibe, and deterioration of the nation's industrial belt, are particular developments that are not conducive to looking cute. The look is more about utility than fashion. A: You may be laid off at any time in the Rust Belt. B: The salt, sand, snow, and ice will do a number on those $2,685 Manolo's, Honey.

From December to March, the look matches Kenny McCormick's arrival at Baghdad. The only skin visible is that of which surrounds the eye sockets, and weather weary Loop commuters march through the muck - preparing to engage in corporate warfare.

Do not challenge the presentation. The characteristic is what makes Chicago - Chicago. Chicago is the City that Works - its lack of pretense and gritty core to engage and surmount all obstacles represents substance over style. Chicagoans can respect that.

Let us begin:

#5 Atlanta

The Mecca. This is Black Hollywood. Atlanta, ravaged and destroyed by General Sherman's March to the Sea, has emerged as the cultural capitol of the South. Image is everything in the ATL, a city that both welcomes and embraces wealthy African Americans, while serving as a hotbed for a prolific entertainment industry. The roll call of ATLiens is a who's who of hip-hop:

Jermaine Dupri, Usher, OutKast, Ludacris, T.I., TLC, Lil John, and Young Jeezy all hail from the city. The Southern sound has been produced, promoted, and distributed by music icons ranging from L.A. Reid to Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds,' LaFace Records.

I would argue that the Atlanta Dirty South brand of music, characterized by its catchy hooks, pounding bass, and lazy riffs has supplanted the New York technique of dueling lyricism, in terms of popularity. Clearly, the rise of Atlanta's Soulja Boy, serves as testimony to this movement.

Apparently, all residents of Atlanta are producers, aspiring rappers, music executives, and successful businessmen. The low cost of living enables its middle class residents to enjoy a lifestyle of aspiring opulence. Big homes. Big cars. Big chrome. Big bills. Big grills.

The proximity of major universities surrounding the Altanta Metro undergird the dynamism. Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory, Morehouse College, Spelman, and Clark-Atlanta attract young minds to the area, and foster a large network of intelligent, connected alumni.

Despite Atlanta lying within the heart of the Bible Belt - its club atmosphere is legendary, and the party pulsates throughout the night from Midtown to Buckhead. Atlanta, Georgia is the personification of the ultimate music video.

Contrary to the glamour, dainty, southern belles exemplify grace and femininity. Her counterpart, the southern gentleman is dapper, yet humble while remaining rugged. 

Atlanta Fashion Faux Pas: Anything hurried. Rude, loud-mouthed Northern carpetbaggers.

#4 Washington, D.C.

Politics rule the nation's capitol. Often it is not what you know; rather status is applied regarding whom it is that you actually do know. Dress and behave accordingly.

Washingtonians rub shoulders and mingle with the elite at all times. Diplomats, lobbyists, foreign luminaries, and congressional leaders frequent the corridors of Washington - building important networks and coalitions throughout the social circuit.

The city plan was created by freeman Benjamin Banneker and Frenchman, Pierre L'Enfant. The nation's permanent seat of government is a Parisian-style grid of wide, radial boulevards, traffic circles, parkways, and squares. The low-relief office buildings, row houses, and dense DC neighborhoods, create an eclectic city scape - rivaling the hamlets of Western Europe. 

Big government under girds the strong economy of DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Fairfax and Montgomery typically rank amongst the top ten wealthiest counties within the United States, and Prince Georges County, Maryland is a top enclave for high-income African Americans.

The style is conservative. The monied and powerful see no need to garishly broadcast one's position in society. Brash displays of wealth are a mark of the uncouth. Labeling should be subtle, if at all visible. Trust, respect, and status will be discernible to the discriminating eye. 

Washington Fashion Faux Pas: Complete ignorance of politics and world events.

#3 Miami

I recommend that tourists and out-of-towners submit to the proper preparations before arriving at South Florida, and suffering a jarring blow to one's self-esteem. This is a fantasy world - the playground of the rich and famous.

The bodies are toned, bikini-clad, and beach ready. Halle Berry doesn't merit a second look on South Beach. Not only are celebrity sightings par-for-the course, but also there are about fifty non-celebrities on the strip that look better than Miss Berry.

The men are monied, rich athletes, A-List celebrities, and Fortune 500 businessmen. BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus are cute, throw-away toy cars here. Aspiring luxury models are overran - mocked by the sheer prevalence of Lamborghini, Bugatti, Ferrari, and multiple renditions of such sleek vehicle engineering that Joe Plumber cannot even identify by name. 

Fittingly, Miami is the last stop in the career path of the fashionable Pat Riley, basketball coach. The icon is the epitome of the chic, elder statesmen - garnering respect from the younger set, without any drastic alteration of personal style. 

The female dress code calls for legs, cleavage, and more cleavage. Men, are to be oozing with the fashionable appeal of cold, hard cash. The Miami look features a scantily clad, gorgeously young beauty, promenading hand-in-hand with a a graying executive. Miami's man of fashion is light on his feet, gliding along Collins Avenue in Gucci loafers, and white linen shorts. Outrageous money roll in one pocket - viagra in the other.  

The party begins at dawn. The searing humidity, bright sunshine, and vibrant art-deco color scheme further exacerbate the electricity.

Miami Fashion Faux Pas: Broke men. Sagging female bodies.

#2 Los Angeles

L.A. Hollywood. Tinseltown. Beverly Hills. Showtime. Kobe. Rodeo Drive. California Cool.

Los Angeles is simply too cool for school. Even the traffic light fixtures appear stylish. Sporting events are rarely filled to capacity at the outset, as the attendants file into the arena at a time that is fashionably late. Artists and budding celebrities migrate to the Left Coast to chase dreams. Real celebrities arrive in Southern California to live dreams.

California, an entity unto itself represents the world's tenth largest economy in terms of gross domestic product. 

The pretense is blatant, as residents strive to operate 'as if.' 'As if' one expects, demands, and presents a persona of glamour - without ever purposefully attempting to do so. The abundance of squares and malcontents that migrate to SoCal, make themselves over, posing as cool calls for a slight reduction in style points. 'That Guy,' from Akron, OH relocates to Los Angeles, purchases some new threads, hires a publicist, employs an agent, and waits tables while awaiting his 'big break' as an actor.

Los Angeles Fashion Faux Pas: Appearing to care about anything. Gainful employment.

#1 New York City

The originator, The Big Apple is freakishly ahead of all competitors. New York is New York.

With the crushing population density of the Tri-State area, individuality is at a premium. One must constantly present and execute provocative ideas in order to be recognized as a unit - distinct from the homogenous mass of people. 

The Revolutionary War, Alexander Hamilton, Wall Street, Rockefeller, and entire genres of media, fashion, music, and entertainment have been created and nurtured within the five boroughs. Manhattan Island is the epicenter, and the concentric spheres of influence radiate outward to Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island, respectively.

This is not a place for the weak. Falsehoods and poseur shenanigans will be exposed immediately. New Yorkers are adept at interrogation and applying respect to those that are truly stylish. Followers are purged and dismissed.

If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.

New York Fashion Faux Pas: Acknowledging the existence of any other locale.

Conclusions

We shall define 'style,' as a certain flair that is the mark of individualism. The aforementioned cities are beacons of style, as a consequence of geography and-or a distinct monopoly over a particular industry. With the exception of Atlanta, all of these cities feature intolerable cost of living indices. Style, comes at a premium.