The phenomenon of cashmina (casual pashmina) among Angeleno men has taken hold of the city with widespread ferocity. Gay, straight, old, young—all are afflicted. Like the great trucker cap, Ed Hardy and Juicy Couture pandemics of the early decade, this affront is easily dubbed an “L.A. Look” by New York fashion magazine editors on the prowl for West Coast fashion faux pas.

It’s not functional attire (are you really any warmer?) but that’s not entirely the point. You’re trying to “dress up” an utterly casual outfit by wrapping two yards of fabric around your neck and fancying yourself as au courant.

Au contraire.

For all those cashmina fans, I’d ask that they explain the difference between this “style” and grown men wearing stoles. Cashmina is lazy fashion. Don’t be a lemming. —Neal Broverman