The cool gang

I'm all for self-expression. Hell, the more incredibly creative and beam-me-out-there you are with your style the better. And Taylor Swift is lovely, isn't she? A teenage singer who's actually talented, writes her own material and isn't a manufactured pop star. Sweet.

It pains me then, when I see her wearing something like this. At first glance you think
oh cool, Tay's branching out, but then you look at her and, well, it just reeks of trying-too-hard. doesn't it? A peek inside her head before she left the house this morning:

"So I'm trying to be cool, so what? I'm not part of the cool gang. Maybe if I tie this ribbon around my head Lindsay Lohan will speak to me. I saw Lauren Conrad wear it on The Hills and it seemed to make her popular. And everyone's got a plaid shirt these days. I'm wearing it like Nicole Richie, over skinny jeans. And I know! I know! I'll add my own spin with the belt and matching leather cuffs! I saw Jessica Simpson wearing something like this in her early days and she's like, my hero. The shoes are great, aren't they? They add colour. Yep, maybe even Mary Kate will think I'm cool."

Oh how hard it must be to try and fit in with that crew. Being 19 and a normal girl is hard enough, but trying to cultivate a great image and be seen as fashionable when all you really know how to do is sing would be even harder.

My first instinct is to grab that belt and throw it as far away from Taylor as I possibly can. Into an oncoming semi-trailer who hopefully will steam right over it and break the buckle forever. Then fling those leather cuffs after it, and steal her shoes. Go barefoot honey, trust me, it's better than these.

There. Saved you. So what if you step on glass? You've got to suffer for fashion, remember. Next? Don't try and be "trendy". Stick to what you know, the singing thing. Your style will come when you get older. And when you have more designer clothes thrown at you.