Fashion
Miley Cyrus' Foam Finger, Wendy Davis' Shoes, and Other Accessories That Became Part of the Story
If the clothes make the man, do the accessories make the story? As far as the latter goes, 2013 was a year marked by headlines fraught with attention-grabbing accoutrements.
These accessories weren't always the most traditional kind, but they certainly added flames to the go-viral fire. Seriously though, who could have guessed that Miley Cyrus could make a foam finger or a wrecking ball seem so overtly sexual? Whether it was a pink running shoe, sports-fan fare, or a classic beauty product, these are the "things" that were just as much a part of the story as the story itself.
Miley Cyrus' Foam Finger at the MTV Video Music Awards
There is so much that can be said about Miley Cyrus’ appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards. Yes, the twerking against Beetlejuice-lookalike Robin Thicke was very uncomfortable. And yes, all the giant-sized dancing bears were bizarre. Okay, yes, she should have stopped sticking out her tongue so much. But all of the weirdness boiled down to that one foam finger, which she used to grope herself with, and in general, did things to that we never imagined a game-day finger would be used for.
The Motorcycle in Kanye West's 'Bound 2' Video
Oh Kanye and Kim! The “Bound 2” music video might have been about pushing the boundaries of art (maybe?), but we just think that motorcycle needs a serious breather.
Huma Abedin's Red Lipstick
Huma Abedin is loyal and consistent — this could be said about her willingness to stick by her philandering husband, Anthony Weiner’s side, or her classic matte red lipstick. Some argued that her choice to wear it, even when speaking out in support of Weiner, is bizarre, but I have to ask: does it really matter one way or the other?
The Wrecking Ball in Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" Video
She came in like a wrecking ball, and now we can’t get the song or the visual of Miley swinging barely-dressed (and nude) on a wrecking ball out of our heads. There are Christmas ornaments of this being circulated as actual gifts — I know, I got one.
The "Wallpaper" Met Gala Dress
Kim Kardashian’s Givenchy dress, as seen at this year’s Met Gala, isn’t technically an “accessory;” that is, unless you count it as an accessory to a fashion crime (which it is). But think about it like this: that ridiculously expensive — for anyone else — dress is basically wallpaper, which again, counts as an accessory. Within minutes of walking the Met Gala red carpet with her partner Kanye West, the Internet blew up with .gifs, critical commentary, and a lot of confused head shaking. Lesson learned: don’t wear Grandma’s upholstery to a fancy affair.
Kate Middleton's Jenny Packham Dress
The fact that people were lined up outside in London, or were watching a live feed, anxiously awaiting Prince William and Kate Middleton’s exit from the hospital with newborn Prince George should indicate that not much was going to detract attention from this singular event. Leave it to Kate’s blue polka-dotted Jenny Packham dress to make just as many headlines, though. Her decision to wear a more form-fitting empire-waist dress, showing off a still somewhat-there baby bump endeared her to women even more.
Wendy Davis' Sneakers
Texas state senator Wendy Davis stood up for what she believed in (very literally) when she held an 11-hour filibuster to block a bill that directly affected women’s pro-choice rights. While Republicans may have eventually passed the bill anyway, Davis became a national sensation — and so did her bright pink Mizuno “Wave Rider” sneakers, which instantly became one of Amazon’s best-selling shoes.
