lost in translation

Lost in Translation (take 4)

A brief note before I hop into the Lost in Translation (take 4). Yes, I’m feeling better though not perfect. Now back to our regular lost in translation post.
I’m going to the Opera on Friday. It’ll be great. The guys are going to wear suits, and the ladies, not to be out done are dressing up too. Well, if you know me, you know that I just don’t wear dresses – unless i’m attending a renaissance fair…. but that’s a whole other topic.
That being said, I have a great black skirt that has a layer of chiffon over the top. It’s super dressy. Having been sick, I decided that the idea of wearing the slinky litle top I had with it was not a good idea. So, I’ve been browsing for several days on the internet trying to find something dressy and long sleeved to go with the skirt.
Now, everything goes with black, right? Only.. what the heck is up with the fashion here. I couldn’t find a dressy top (in general) but then… when I did find a couple that would work, they were disasters. Below, for your viewing pleasure – photos of some of the options I encountered…..

 

The color is great. Really. But what’s up with the flowers and that weird fringey stuff at the bottom? Who the heck would want to wear this? Not me.
Um.. yeah – this shirt screams… * I HAVE BOOBS AND I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT THEM!! (NO REALLY I DO!)* On a secondary point. Who chose the colors? Black and gold stripes with Red? UGH.
That’s pretty much Lost in Translation for me.

 

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Lost in Translation (Take 3)

And now for today’s edition of Lost in Translation – strange and funny signs – only this relates to fashion. I’m often in Prenzlauerberg and absolutely love the people watching there. The only place that is comparable in the city is Potsdamer Platz (which has so many different walks of life going thru it’s really interesting.)

Anyhow, while in P-berg for sunday brunch, the lot of us decided to go over to the flea market and see what was available. Traditionally, flea markets are the “bottom of the barrel” and end up with lots of bad fashion. I’m used to that and fully expected to see lots of vintage *cough* and *cough* retro crap that was in good shape. What I never expected was to actually pass by a shop selling BRAND NEW bad fashion mistakes waiting to happen.

As seen in a shop window

Yes, darlings, this IS the shop window. Let me give you a few close-ups….
First we have the horrifying electric blue lame (lamee?) stretch with droopy butt hammer pants. They’re skinny leg, but designed to hang so far off your ass that you have the gansta look going. Or maybe not… perhaps it’s that you pull them up and do the “steve urkle” nerd thing? God only knows….but they’re pretty hideous.

Blue Lamee pants

Then there’s the bag dress designed to make you look like you just tied up the ends of a burlap sack to go the party.

Closeup of
Of course, we can’t have you going around with people thinking that you’re making your own clothes – so we made sure to put lovely little cloud type design on the front – so we can charge you designer prices! (yee-ha! – note the reflection of the guy passing behind us as proof this REALLY IS a busy street with traffic!)

Mannequin

And finally, as if those two weren’t enough, we thought we’d show you just how good you can look in our styling. Seriously – doesn’t this model look great? She is sporting a khaki fishing cap, leopard print leotard top with black trim – and because black goes with EVERYTHING – a pair of flashy spandex stretch silver and black checkerboard patterned leggings. Oh – and don’t forget that accessories make the woman!! Yep – check out our wide black cuff style bracelet – with the big white star!
Maria, Danielle, and I stood there horrified looking at this shop window, wondering if they were serious. We then continued walking. In the end, Danielle and I wound up going back just so we could go take pictures because we decided NO ONE would believe us without photographic evidence.
Somehow, this is definately one of those things that is lost in translation…..
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Lost in Translation (take 2)

Continuing with yesterday’s theme of strange signs here in Germany (although this may get expanded into around the world as I travel more) I thought I’d nominate a few more.

Today has a couple examples – First up is the business named DONER INN

Doener Inn shop - bad store name

I think it may only be amusing to me, but being that a Doener is a shaved/roasted leg of lamb sandwich, I’m not sure I’d want to eat at a place that’s prounounced similar to…
Done-Her INN. (Dare I ask where they hid the body?!?)
Anyhow, at the top of the picture, you’ll see a square thing with a giant “leg” of lamb roasting. Only, it appears that it could be something else. Is it “Her” thigh? Oh the things that make you go humm….
Now, maybe the person who decides to eat at the Doner Inn was at this cafe in Potsdam first. I call this the “confusing beer sign” although this guy appears to have more than just 1 vice.

Confused Bier sign

Notice that this old bier sign advertising bitburger pils has with klosterfeller beer advertised under it. Now Notice the Erdinger beer umbrella over the cafe tables. Yeah, it’s a cafe that serves beer… but why is this guy looking like he is holding out a joint and a beer? Do they sell a bit of pot here too? (yeah I don’t know – just guessing from the advertisment.)

Finally, an advertising gimic that would never fly back home in the states (I need to remember my camera to get a few more images as these billboards change according to “what’s in season” food wise.) because it’s too racy.

Sicher Macht Lustig! AIDS condom ad

The ad is for use of condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS. Great idea – just hilarious to see all these fruits in colored condoms that read “when you feel lust, give AIDS no chance”. What this has to do with fruit, I don’t know. I just hope that I’m not the one actually buying the left over food at the grocery store. (EWW!!)
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