Dina and I journeyed to Boston this weekend, where I have not been since 2006. I lived there when I attended Boston University from 1998 to 2002.

2012 me in front of my off campus house in Allston, where I lived for 3 years.

Some things were better than I remember, like the INCRED seafood and the clean cut roman numeral gentlemen in a peacoat (I was inspired to get a grad degree in the CLASSICS to be amongst them again), among other things. What did not impress me? A strange amount of gals in Beantown rock PANTYHOSE AND SENSIBLE HEELS when going out on the town. I know! How did I not notice this? Anyway, influenced, of course, by Kid Fury‘s hilarious “Shit Black Gays Say II,” Dina and I threw around the phrase “that’s cute for them/us/me” the entire weekend. As in, “Oh, you wear a sweatshirt to brunch? That’s cute for you.” After channeling my college-era self who did things like date rowers excessively, dye my hair brunette, get a nose piercing because I saw an edgy cute girl on the T who had one and live and breathe French literature and linguistics, I decided to do a little  comparison I like to call “Cute for Me 2002 vs. 2012” in honor of my 10-year reunion. Read on…

All 7 roommates in front of the same house in Allston.You recognize it from the BARS ON THE WINDOWS, yes? I’m on the right during my brief brunette phase. Not cute for me. Even then. Everyone has a TANNING SALON TAN. #secretshame

 

Cute for me 2002: Eating a super burrito with chicken at Anna’s Taqueria.
Cute for me 2012: Eating a super burrito with chicken at Anna’s Taqueria. (Some things never change.)

Cute for me 2002: Britney Spears as my quite-obvious style inspiration.
Cute for me 2012: Every single character in “Valley of the Dolls” and Grace Kelly as my quite-obvious style inspiration.

1999 me, wearing too much Abercrombie accessorized with a Solo Cup, and my natural hair color AND texture.

Cute for me 2002: Wearing tank tops (referred to as “out shirts” in the dead of New England winter and teeny coats I don’t care about being stolen because they’re easier to rock in bars. I eschew scarves, gloves and hats to the chagrin of my mother.
Cute for me 2012: Dressing for the CLIMATE I LIVE IN, choosing sweater dresses for Arctic weather paired with boots and tights and a major wool coat with a scarf and gloves. I still draw the line at hats. They remain not cute for my HAIR.

Cute for me 2002: Rocking a North Face bubble vest over everything I own.
Cute for me 2012: 2012 me is dry-heaving at the thought of wearing North Face ANYTHING, save to ski. Now my outerwear is Mackage or bust, for the most part.

Cute for me 2002: Rolling seven deep all the time, aggressively finding moments of solitude at Filene’s Basement and at dude friends’ apartments for coffee to escape.
Cute for me 2012: Celebrate every day no more public housing, in the words of Biggie Smalls. I said BAI to roommates in 2009 and it’s the best thing I ever did for myself.

Cute for me 2002: Crossing state lines in an hour car ride to Providence, Rhode Island to visit the nearest Forever 21 to buy the joint out of cheap duds.
Cute for me 2012: Heading to Newbury Street’s Forever 21 (oh, what my roommates and I would not have done for THIS a decade ago) to buy the joint out of their new designer collaboration, Rory Beca for Forever 21. I’ve long been a fan of the feminine brand boasting ruffled dresses and tops in gossamer fabrics and inspired hues.

Rory Beca for Forever 21 Geo Cutout Tank

YES. After so many never the twain shall meet decade-apart moments, turns out, Rory Beca for Forever 21 is the NEXUS of my past/present/future universe. It’s truly the Seinfeldian 1st Street/1st Avenue of collections. 

Rory Beca for Forever 21 Ruffle Dipped Top

Score the Rory Beca for Forever 21 collection here.

 

Tell me: What hilarious things did you do/wear/say in college?