Hello Readers,

Donna and I have been struggling for two months to develop some kind of ratings scale to make life easier for our dozen (perhaps dozens) of readers. We wanted something a little bit different, a little quirky, very GoOutJersey. And it just hit me, thanks to my mother.

My family and I were about to head out to Marzullo’s in Montclair for Mom’s birthday dinner and I asked her how I should dress. Her response, “Casual,” didn’t help me. I was standing in my living room at 5 p.m. wearing glow-in-the-dark monkey pants and a hooded sweatshirt. “This is causal, no? I don’t get much more casual than this.”

Although I do clean up nice, I have no qualms about roaming around town dressed like an escaped mental patient/college student. But it seems that, to normal people, “casual” is a lot less causal than I would like it to be.

And so, the FancyPants Scale has been born (and, as with any child, you’ll witness it growing and changing rather quickly). Rather than rating how fancy the restaurants are, we will be showing how fancy YOU will have to be to blend in. No longer will you have to call your friends to see what they’re wearing. We’ve got it covered – so from now on, all of our pieces (old ones will be updated over the next few weeks) will feature the following ratings system (which does not rate the establishment’s food and such):

There’s no one here to impress. Just be yourself, even if that means you in your flannel pajamas.

It’s a relaxed setting. Stroll in after work or in your oldest pair of jeans. It’s all good.

Dress to impress but don’t look like you’re trying to hard. Think “accidentally” running into your ex.

Put on something uncomfortable. Beauty hurts.

Maybe there really is a use for the outfit you wore to your cousin’s wedding.

— by Ali Hanford
Ali is managing editor and a co-founder of GoOutJersey and lives in Essex County. She has lived in NJ her whole life.

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