Above: Shaneomac and BB The Jerk of the UCLA Jerk Kings
If you want to be a jerk, then you kind of have to look the part. Here are some tips to help you out:
1. Shoes
Wearing the right kind of shoes identifies the kind of jerk you are. The main thing to look for in a shoe is a thick sole. For this reason, skate shoes such as Vans, Osiris, or Keds are acceptable. Also, almost any kind of Nike shoe is ok. Popular brands are Jordans (remember this is a mixture of skate and hip-hop culture), Dunks and SB's. The kind of shoe NOT to wear are sports shoes, such as tennis shoes, or any kind of flat-footed shoe with "padding" on the bottom. You know the type. Converse are generally looked down upon, unless there is something special about them: knee-high, special (crazy) design, plastic or glow-in-the-dark (believe me, I HAVE seen those before). All in all, the best place to get jerk-kicks is Journey's.
2. Bottoms
Everyone knows that skinny jeans are essential to jerk culture. Baggy pants are NOT ALLOWED or else you will be considered a "poser" and there is no way that is good. Brightly colored skinnies are perfect. Extreme designs on skinnies are also perfect, including acid-washed, two-tone (tie-dyed), or the immensely popular checkered design. You can find all of the above style at stores like Hot Topic, PacSun and dEliA's.
3. Shirts
Fitted tees for girls with crazy designs on them are accepted. Also, printed colorful tank tops are good, especially for layering. Boys can just stay with the same styles, just a little more colorful. Also, boys can go with sweater vests. Not the nerdy kind, but you'll just know whether or not it looks good. Avoid colors like brown and grey and navy blue. Same goes for guys. For girls, the best place to look for t-shirts is dEliA's along with PacSun.
4. Accessories
For boys, colorful fitted hats are all you need. For girls its not that simple. Bright, popping hoodies are essential, and you won't believe me, but LimitedToo oops I mean JUSTICE has the best ones, but stay away from the bedazzled ghetto jackets. Pretty studs for earring will have to work, as dangly ones will fall out while dancing. I know from experience. NEW TREND ALERT!!! Phoxtails. As worn by Indigo Vanity, a phoxtail is a brightly colored faux-fur tail with some type of decoration on it. It clips to a belt loop on you pants. They are fun and different, and I bet that if you went to Ben Franklin they would have the supplies you need to make one.
5. Hair
Bright colorful bows in your hair work, probably inspired by last fall's Marc Jacobs RTW (ready-to-wear) line. Speaking of hair, like Indigo Vanity once said, "Part of the jerking movement, here in Los Angeles, is dyeing your hair really bright colors!!" If you know who she is, then you know she follows her own advice, as her hair is always in some crazy style usually involving a bright bubblegum pink.
