For the last three years of my Los Angeles “clubbin” career, I’ve noticed that the club scene isn’t the only thing going downhill. The wardrobe of the club goers is also sliding. What’s up with the tennis shoes and jeans at nightclubs? No one dresses up anymore. In Los Angeles, upscale club wear is a fancy shirt, designer jeans, and chic shoes. Back in the 90s, a person wearing jeans wouldn’t even make it to the velvet rope. Nowadays, men and women can waltz into a club wearing the same outfit they wore to the mall that afternoon. It’s about time we bring sexy back to nightclubs.

I’ve been to many L.A. nightclubs (Ivar, The Highlands, Garden of Eden, Century Club, Level 3, Icon, Pearl, etc.) and have been overdressed 85% of the time. Is it me? Should I start dressing down when I go out? I quickly came to my senses and realized that the clothing most girls are wearing to clubs, I wear to lunch on Melrose. Don’t get me wrong, there are clubs that require you to look like or be a playboy model. But for the most part, clubs are just happy someone showed up. So enforcing a dress code is not their M.O.

Understandably, people want to be comfortable. If you want comfort, go to a bar or to the movies. The only time there is comfort in a nightclub is if you are in V.I.P. away from all those sweaty, drunk, obnoxious people. Since most of us “regular” folk don’t have the popularity or the funds to have that V.I.P. status, we have to look like we do. Ladies, if you look like you belong in V.I.P., you will be in V.I.P. I know from experience. It’s nothing better than going to a club and spending someone else’s money (wink).

Guys, you should always look like you stepped out of GQ when going out. Men are always discriminated against at nightclubs. Mainly because promoters don’t want a club full of men and neither do women. The saying goes for you too…if you look like you belong in V.I.P., you will be in V.I.P. The difference is, you may actual have to pay for it (wink). So fellas, leave the Jordans at home and throw on that pimped out suit. JT shouldn’t be the only one bringing sexy back.

By Dorielle Hammonds