Oscar’s Fashion Sense: A Nationals Retrospective

We promised a piece durings Nationals by Oscar Shine that was to feature “Fashion Dos and Don’ts” at the tournament. Unfortunately, the rush of outrounds postings, up-to-the-minute results, and breaking news kept us from fulfilling that promise.

Fortunately for you, however, Oscar is on the staff of VBI. Thus, “Oscar’s Fashion Sense,” a lighthearted column by everyone’s favorite staff fashionista, will appear intermittently throughout camp for your reading pleasure. On the eve of VBI, it is my pleasure to present the first installment of this piece: two reviews written during Nationals featuring VBI staff members Larry McGrath and Tatiana Cottam. Future columns will be posted by Mr. Shine himself. (He’s busy finalizing book group arrangements for our students as we speak! Students will have the opportunity to sign up for the optional groups at registration.)

Fortunately for both, Oscar seems to approve of their fashion sense. (And remember, all participants are always willingly profiled!)

Larry McGrath (Nevada Union LM)

Larry has been a trendsetter on the national circuit since his debut in 2002 when he first caught our eye with his distinctive thick-rimmed glasses and preponderance of pink fabrics. Since then, his experiments with pastels and his ever-changing array of rhinestones have kept us guessing. “Some people think my style is emo,” Larry told us when we caught up with him at a break between rounds, “Others say it has an indie flair. Still others may think it’s patterned after Seth Cohen of [the FOX network’s] The O.C. But Larry says it’s just Larry.”

Besides referring to himself in the third person and winning the California State Championship, Larry is a pioneer in debate fashion circles. His shaggy brown locks, polka dot patterned ties and matching chucks have earned him the status of fashion fixture.

“I used to always go with the Regis Philbin (LINK) look,” Larry explained as he suggestively caressed his supple brown hair, “Shopping for clothes my freshman year, I’d go with a teal shirt and a teal tie. But I’ve come to hate it. It just gets boring.”

Larry resolved to break new ground in debate dress, and the results were explosive. Today, men on the circuit are still struggling to catch up with Larry’s revolutionary approach to style.

“From the streets of Milan to the streets of Salt Lake City, Larry McGrath masterfully ports a stunning example of nouveau Southern European pastels,” says Andrew Swan, VBD’s in-house style consultant. “The effect is to die for. Before Larry, men on the circuit were afraid to wear pink. They thought it made them less commanding, but Larry’s confidence in pink is overwhelming. He made the debate world safe for brightly colored shirts.”

“[Andrew] Garvin’s rolled-up sleeves were a big influence,” Larry acknowledged, “but I always thought his paisley French collars were a mistake. Not so many people were doing the pink shirt thing before me. I was a big Weezer fan.”

Larry is not without his share of detractors. “How is Larry a fashion do?” asked a catty Daryl Pinto. “His tie doesn’t even match his shirt!”

But most people agree that Larry’s fashion sense is a cut above. Says Chris Bentley (Apple Valley CB), “He’s just so cute. Look at him. He’s like the cutest guy in the world.” According to Rachel Gutson and Marissa Guterman of the Archer School for Girls, Larry is “really cute. We like the shag and the bowtie. And the pink is so hot.”

“Do you guys even know Larry?” Max Stevens (Green Valley MS) asked. “No,” the girls replied, “but we’d like to.”

Larry isn’t afraid to share his advice with the community. “If it’s not scrawny, it’s not hot,” he reminds us. “Don’t sag. Baggy pants are gross. As a general rule, don’t deviate from black dress shoes. Above all, keep it simple.”

“I’m a big fan of thrift stores,” Larry concludes, “But when that doesn’t work, go to your local Banana Republic.”

Tatiana Cottam (Immaculate Heart TC)

We’ve been dying to get an interview with the girl Andrew Swan called “the epitome of classy – not skanky – excellence in fashion,” but with her crowded schedule of social engagements she could never find the time to talk with us. Or return our phone calls. Or answer our e-mails after she “accidentally” blocked them earlier this year.

Fortunately for fashion falcons everywhere VBD’s style squad cornered Tatiana at NFL Nationals and got her to talk, but only after we promised her a shot at designing the t-shirt for VBI this summer. Once she received our assurances, she was happy to answer the question on everyone’s mind: just how could someone reach the heights of garment grandeur that Tatiana has?

“Oh dear,” she sighed. “Of course [my style is] professional, but it has to be distinctive. I try to avoid just the ‘pants and blouse’ thing. For a girl, you have to exploit the fact that you have more options than men do. Guys all pretty much wear the same thing, but girls have space to play around.”

And play around she does! Between making finals at California State and clearing deep into outrounds Nationals, Tatiana has established a reputation as the fashion bellwether to watch. “She is a striking example of how geometry and fashion can and should go hand in hand,” Andrew Swan tells us. “Her combination of bold prints and angled fabrics make her as straightforward looking and linear as her arguments.”

Tatiana didn’t shy away from the tough questions, either. “I think [skirts] should be no shorter than four inches above the knee. Don’t get too liberal with your outfits. Exposing too much is a mistake.”

She had a few words of advice for the opposite sex, as well. “With guys, you can’t really go wrong except with your tie,” Tatiana opined to the vigorous approval of assorted fashion mavens around her. “The length, the color and the pattern can sometimes be atrocious. A short tie makes you look strange. Hit the belt, at least. Please.”

And in general? “Be conservative, but with an edge. Make it look like you care about your appearance. Very few people can pull off trendy looks. If you’re one of those few people, good for you. Otherwise don’t embarrass yourself. Look, I’ve gotta go. Caviar won’t eat itself.”

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