I’m looking forward to life returning back to normal next week once the G20 Summit is done, and all the international diplomats and media head home. I miss the hustle and bustle of downtown which has been notably absent the past week with most people steering clear of the fenced in area. In a city where we don’t normally see a big police presence, its odd to see officers at every corner. Its no surprise that it has been named Fortress Toronto for the time being.
On the train the other morning, I read an article in the Metro News that poked fun at fashion during the G20 summit, and I had to pass it on:
Dressing for G20 protests is tricky. Look too corporate and you might be paint-bombed. Dress like a militant protester, you run the risk of being tear gassed.
But have a stylist help you, you look fabulous.
“If you’re leading (these protests) and you know pictures are being taken of you, why not look good?” said Kathryn McEwen, the general manager of Queen Street West boutique Fashion Crimes.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, former RCMP officer and security expert Chris Mathers had more conservative advice. “Don’t go,” he said. “That’s how you should dress.”
So many options.
If you’re the rabble-rousing, tear-gas-loving type who won’t be held back by mere warnings, synthetic fabrics are your best bet since tear gas sticks to natural fibres. Mathers said covering your face with a bandana is an indication to police that you could be trouble. He mused on advice for the protester looking to steer clear of police and militant attention.
“Plaid?” he offered. “I hate to think of people at home in their closet missing the protest because they can’t make a fashion decision.”
With all the negative energy floating around the city, its nice to laugh about it too 🙂
Haha that’s funny. I can’t wait to get back to normal either. I’ve been at my parents place since I would have been pretty much right in the middle..no thanks! I would have been locked in my apt for 5 days probably.