Here’s What it Means to be “Trimmer Chic”

Biden staffers fired for admitting they smoked pot should start dressing like this in retaliation.

In 2012, I used to write about whatever I wanted for the fashion blog at Lucky Magazine (RIP). Here is my favorite piece. It’s been very slightly edited for clarity and new information.

Marijuana, it turns out, does not grow in a little baggie in a black messenger bag plastered with Ron Paul 2012 bumperstickers. It grows on big plants, with big leaves; and then there’s the bud part, which requires expert attention before it is deemed consumer friendly. (If you’re all, “Why are you talking about pot here?” I assure you I am eventually going to talk about fashion. You know why? Because everything is fuckin’ related man!)

The process of using tiny scissors to remove tiny stems and tiny leaves to turn pot into the sort of well-shaped, compact buds that make pot consumers shout “Sweet Bro” is called trimming. The people who trim are called trimmers, and in the fall months of the year trimmers descend on northern California to work “The Season,” and, more importantly, to bring with them glorious examples of trimmer chic.

I spotted Theresa last Saturday night karaoking Fiona Apple’s “Criminal” at the National Hotel bar in Nevada City, California. (RIP NATIONAL HOTEL SOB) A few minutes later, John showed up and the two of them, obviously enamored with each other, did a variation of the lindy as an incredibly drunk man with a short beard, Hawaiian shirt and Buddy Holly glasses sang “Highway to Hell.”

As I watched Theresa and John, I thought about trimmer chic, and what it was. Trimmer chic, like all fashion trends, draws on others. It is sort of like grunge, but then, it is less urban. It is sort of outdoorsy, but then, it is sexier. There is often something of Steampunk about it, but no fringe or lacing, no wearing hats. John and Teresa aren’t really in that camp. Have you seen “Deadwood”? It takes place in an old gold rush town, and Nevada City is an old gold rush town, and there’s a brand of trimmer chic that’s Grizzly Adams meets Alma Garret, and there’s a trimmer chic that’s Calamity Jane gets dressed for, but does not actually go, cross-country skiing. These two are in the latter category.