If the fashion catch phrase ‘style maven’ were to be taken to mean the ultimate encapsulation of fashion sensibility, then filling out the other end of the pole would be the phrase ‘hot mess’, a term that describes a person who precariously toes the line of fabulousness and trashiness. These are the folks who have divided the fashion world – are they inspiring or just insane? If you still quite can’t grasp the idea of a hot mess, perhaps our list might be of great help.
10. Juliette Lewis
Juliette Lewis has moved far past her previous days of being Brad Pitt’s arm-candy and America’s sweetheart childstar. Ever since starting up her band, Juliette and the Licks, she’s cultivated a more daring approach both in attitude and fashion sense – however, one that just slightly misses the mark of classic rock and roll territory and instead falls smack right center in the hot mess realm. Inspiring in her sheer fearlessness yet wholly mindboggling in her sartorial choices, Juliette Lewis ranks as one of the orignal hot messes.
9. Amy Winehouse
As stated above, a hot mess is someone who treads the line of fashion fab and trash and in the case of Amy Winehouse, though she continues to rock the same classic fashion sense as always (ballet flats, skinny jeans and tank top), it’s her bedraggled hair, unkempt make up and overall disheveledness that makes her a hot mess. Also, her compulsive need to flaunt her new breasts after implants does not completely endear her to timeless class.
8. Russell Brand
Though Russell Brand’s dry comedic wit lends him some hotness points, the fact that he looks like my grandaunt, Phyllis (with hairy upper lip to boot) detracts from any conceivable crush-worthiness in my books. With a perma-rat’s nest on his head and clashing attire, Russell is the personification of a male hot mess – technically good-looking but just shy of perfection.
7. Kristen Stewart
There have been many young hot upcoming Hollywood actresses in our day and age, but none who rock a better devil-may-care attitude when it comes to public presentation in style and reputation. Although dressed in the nicest red carpet wear, her seemingly unwashed and unstyled hair prevents her from entering any best-dressed list of sorts. I applaud Kristen for her emphasis on comfort above all else, but there is a time and place for everything, and it would be lovely to see her looking hot without the tacked on ‘mess’ behind for once!
6. Lindsay Lohan
By now, it’s almost old hat to include Lindsay in this list. From a fresh-faced redhead, we’ve seen her stumble down the ranks of public approval only to land in ‘hot mess’ zone. Yet when cleaned up well, she retains some of the stunningness we first fell in love with – as she displayed during the Roberto Cavalli Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. Here’s hoping that Lindsay finds her way eventually and erases the ‘mess’ suffix from her name.
5. Robert Pattinson
He of the dazzling vampire fame is rather impressive in real life too, except for the permanently unkempt look and greasy hair. Yet, even his hot mess status is not enough to detract from the fanfare surrounding him. Of course, hot messes always have an acquired charm, and Robert has them in spades – I suspect, it’s all in the gravity-defying hair.
4. Coco Sumner
Having rock star parents is no measure of sartorial brilliance, if Coco Sumner is anything to go by. She’s a multi-talented musician, actress and model as well as the daughter of Sting and Trudie Styler, but in popular culture, no other label fits her best than that of ‘hot mess’. Seemingly taking inspiration from fellow model Alice Dellal, Coco rates as a second-tier hot mess – fulfills all the expectations of a hot mess yet not original enough to pioneer her own look.
3. Pixie Geldof
Yet another classic example of the myth of perfect breeding from rock star parents is Pixie Geldof. Perhaps it’s something in the water at Britain, but young celebrities there often try really hard to carve out their own identity, even at the cost of timeless stylishness. She’s part club-kid, scenester and hipster channeling ’90s grunge without the irony, which unfortunately results in nothing but a hot mess.
2. Ke$ha
Perhaps the best personification of a hot mess in this new decade, Ke$ha unflinchingly rocks her own style – one half glam rock and the other part Las Vegas showgirl. Her appeal lies in the fact that underneath all that sequins, glitter, prints and unbrushed hair lies one seminally good-looking girl. But like a low-rent Lady Gaga, she shoulders on with her image, resolutely carrying out her garbage chic be it in public appearances or red carpet events.
1. Courtney Love
Back in the 90s, Courtney was a style queen inspiring legions of fans with her babydoll dresses and Doc Martens ‘kinderwhore‘ look. Over the years though, her style sensibilities have not fared too well and I dare say that Courtney might actually be one of the pioneers of the hot mess look. Seen at red carpet awards and other assorted events in complete disarray – sloppy makeup and ill-fitting clothes, it’s almost quite saddening to see how the mighty have fallen. Regardless of hot mess status, Courtney continues to work on her music, releasing her comeback album soon.
Now that you’ve read my picks for top hot messes, do share your favourite or add on anyone else you think is missing from this list!
Related articles: Brit Awards 2010: Top 10 Best & Worst Dressed ; Rounding Up the Noughties: Fashion Catch Phrases of the Decade ; Top 10 Fashionable Female Rock Stars ;
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