I’m a big proponent of what’s called high/low fashion; the idea of combining something luxurious or expensive with something basic and simple.
As an example, I might wear a pair of grey Vans with an Armani suit jacket. Or I might wear a Rolex with a pair of Levi’s and a baseball hat. When done well, there’s no better juxtaposition, but it requires confidence. Many folks who spend money on clothes don’t really understand fashion, so they just go for the high end, ignoring the low. They buy the most expensive stuff out there and let the labels do the talking, figuring: if I’m wearing Gucci, I must look good, right?
High/low fashion works for food and booze, too! As an example, my wife and I went out for dinner this past Sunday at Firefly in Studio City, where we drank fancy cocktails, fancy wine, and ate filet mignon. However, rather than get dessert, my wife mentioned she had been dying to try the new mini tacos from Jack in the Box. Maybe we could hit the drive-thru on Laurel Canyon on the way home?
Having not really scratched my frites itch, I threw in a large fries order, as well. We were all dressed up, full of fine drink and cuisine, munching on tiny tacos and greasy potato strings as we cruised down Magnolia on the way back to Burbank. I highly, highly recommend the new Jack in the Box mini tacos, especially since you can order mild, hot, or extra hot. They were the perfect end to a fantastic evening.
High/low booze? Champagne and potato chips, y’all. A classic. I recommend doing that as often as possible.
Whisky and chocolate is another good one. I once drank a 30 year old Port Ellen with a bag of M&Ms.
Fancy Bordeaux with a Tommy’s burger. I’ve done that at least ten times this year. Fancy Burgundy with Cane’s chicken fingers. Done that, too.
Most people always look to pair high end with high end, which is also fun. But it’s not always necessary. Don’t be afraid to mix it up. The greatest highs are usually accompanied by the greatest lows, in my opinion—in a positive way, in this case.
-David Driscoll