Commute Couture



are you ready for your close up? ha!



        Lights cameras commute! Commuting has proven to be effective in taking us to our respective destinations but indirectly it has also been influencing our everyday fashion sense. How many times have you noticed a particular outfit brought to you via the "subway runway" and expressed your like or dislike immediately by thought. Unlike the catwalks in Paris or China commuter couture is the most effective in starting trends, it's what people think is more relatable, "if she can pull that off I will try something similar also" or "oh that's how that shirt looks, I will purchase one soon".  The subway brings front and center, everyday people modeling clothes, hair, shoes and accessories for men women and kids. Our peers are more influential than any model or mannequin could be..Nothing beats someone your size wearing clothes you like.

But it's only normal commutable to put things in the acceptable/ unacceptable category so here it comes.

Please be advised - You may only try to replicate a look (Elvis, Rhianna,Marylyn Monroe, nicki manaj, Katy perry , halle berry as cat woman ect.) only if you are being paid to do so.



no! Grandma no!










oh no!










 

cute!









   



cool as a cucumber





ok ! lose the hat and smile!





go ahead brotha!



Regardless of where we go, most ppl try to get to their destinations as flawless as possible. Classy n casual or dressy n chic, then we have the rest that try their best to not look like they care at all (which sometimes is more work than just looking awesome). I personally believe that wherever a group congregates, there is always a few ppl attempting to make statements via fashion, and while some are big hits, others are horrible misses.

Commutable safety tip: try to keep metro cards in your bag or wallet, not in your pocket. (Especially if you own a monthly unlimited).

Just in case you didnt know !!!!

Fares & MetroCard

• The fare for a subway or local bus ride is $2.50*. The fare for an express bus ride is $6. If you qualify for reduced fare, you can travel for half fare. Up to three children 44 inches tall and under ride for free on subways and local buses when accompanied by a fare paying adult. Infants (under two years of age) ride express buses free if the child sits on the lap of the accompanying adult.
  With MetroCard your rides can cost less. You can buy MetroCard three ways:

• Pay-Per-Ride (Regular) MetroCard
  
  
• Unlimited Ride MetroCard
  
  
• Now your 7-Day and 30-Day MetroCard can be refilled
  
  
• Get the MetroCard that refills itself automatically — EasyPayXpress MetroCard
  

* The cost of a SingleRide ticket is $2.75. Sold at vending machines only.
for more information you can visit: http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm

Train chow

When dining at a 5 star restaurant we have the option of ordering a feast, or as I like to call it, “the belly’s fantasy”. You may be a chicken or fish person, you may be a steak or beef person, shout outs to my vegans also. However while commuting, eating en route may be tricky business. Yes, sometimes we tend to speed out with out breakfast, or work late and miss dinner. And lunch! who has time for that when an urgent deadline is approaching. It has become almost normal for commuters to snack while traveling and this is acceptable, however what is not acceptable is busting down a whole 3-course meal in 10 minutes and licking barbecue sauce from your fingers while you try to hustle to your destination. Since I strongly believe “train chowing” is becoming an epidemic in our society I will attempt to address this issue and bring some clarity on what is acceptable and what is not acceptable while commuting.

Unacceptable

• Soup
• lo-mien
• Jerk chicken
• BBQ wings
• Fish
• Mash potatoes and gravy
• Pudding
• Burgers
• Halal- chicken or lamb over rice
• KFC family bucket. 

Acceptable:

• Fries
• Peanuts
• Wraps
• Small sandwich
• Candy
• Smoothies/shakes
• Coffee
• Protein bars
• Chips
• Energy drinks
• Bottled water

 Please be advised that any food type that requires an eating utensil in order to consume, has gravy or a side is unacceptable. Minorities! We already have 99 problems eating on the train shouldn’t be one. I recently observed this nicely dressed lady heading from work, demolishing a KFC chicken pot pie on the train, then when she realized she was the talk of the cart, she rolled her eyes and said “what?”. My immediate thought was. What the hell does she mean, by “what”- your face is covered with pie crust! and I’m pretty sure the people standing 3 carts down can hear you chomp, where is your pride and manners? At that moment she was being examined, judged, she was representing women everywhere and she had failed us miserably.

My thoughts – eating a whole meal on the train is irrelevant and unnecessary. Sip or snack only if you need to not because you can.



NO!



Commutable safety tip: always stand behind the yellow line on the platform. Being annoying and peeking up the track every 3 seconds will not make the train arrive any faster. It only makes it easier for you to trip or get bumped.

Bum check please!

Weary from hard work we all often fall victim to that frightening wake up stench of bums. Even the most alert will once in a while jump in a cart without bum checking first. Bums: - are not to be mistaken with homeless or begging patrons. These few details will allow you to differentiate a bum from other randomness while commuting.

·         Bum black bags.

·         Bum cart

·         Bum ensembles

·         Unnecessary baggage

·         Bum stench

Once you have confirmed that you are in the presence of a certified bum you might want to:

1.      Stand close to an exit and switch carts at the next stop unless you feel invincible and you can weather the stench, and to that I say good luck.

2.      Ensure you have a clear pathway for airflow that is not sweeping in from the Bums direction.

3.       Keep a safe distance in case the bum makes a dash for the exit. Don’t get Bum bumped.

4.      Stay alert.

Tricky bums.

Over a few years I've come to discover new specie of bums I've nicknamed tricky bums. These bums are not in generic bum attire. They do not carry, extra-baggage however, what they do carry is an extra serving of bum stench. I encountered my 1st tricky bum around 4 years ago; tired from a long day I jumped on a train, before bum checking. After everything was settled the stench showed up and said howdy. I wondered to myself could I have been that irresponsible? Is this a bum cart? But there was no bum to be seen. The crowd started shifting from the stench but it seemed as if the stench was everywhere. In the end it was a woman nicely dressed in a floral print summer dress. We only figured after she exited because the stench went with her. I describe this as bum trickery since the lady kept moving in the mists of the angry commuters but because she was well put together she was automatically not an obvious suspect. Tricky bums usually set off panic within a cart because being in a packed cart unable to identify the source of a stench is frightening.

Commutable alert tip – if you like standing by doors while commuting (I do) remember to keep your gadgets tucked away for the majority of the ride. Thieves like to grab and dash, usually from the person standing closest to the exit.