Lucky: Avril Lavigne's Post-Marriage Personality Makeover

We know Avril Lavigne just released a new album—how else could her appearance on the covers of Jane (April) and Lucky (May) be justified?—but we refuse to take her seriously as a fashion icon when she’s wearing an outfit that Shannen Doherty would have worn on season one of Beverly Hills, 90210.  (Maybe we’re showing our age here, but you know Brenda Walsh would have sported that vest at the Peach Pit along with the requisite paper-bag waist jeans and black fedora.)

In case the outfit isn’t reason enough to generate animosity toward Avril (though we will admit to coveting the star-shaped pendant), there’s the way she claims her marriage has changed her.

In Lucky’s “At the Shoot,” she says:

“I didn’t really care about fashion when I was a teenager, but in the last couple of years—since I got married, I guess—something changed,” says Avril, 22.  “Now I love so many things about it:  like cool heels and bags and all kinds of accessories.”

Then, in “Her Way”:

“I’m in a place in my life where I can try out things that are a bit more feminine, but still maintain some punk attitude.”

A place in her life? Being married, she means.

What a strange phenomenon.  Apparently, being legally wed leads a woman to develop a fascination with clothes and shoes!  Now that she’s got that ring on her finger, there’s no need to maintain her own persona.  Nope, the wedding day was the time to morph into an outmoded prototype of femininity!  Has she also cultivated an interest in cooking, cleaning, and childbirth?  Or is she only interested in exploiting stereotypes that relate to her appearance and therefore might boost her career?

We can’t say for sure, of course.  And as crassly commercial as the “new” Avril may be, her neckties-worn-with-tanks look from a few years back was just as calculated.  But what do we expect?  We can’t exactly hope for authenticity from a  woman who claims to have “punk attitude” while, in the same article, extolling the virtues of diamond jewelry and Armani gowns.

Comments

[Kristen]

I just loved how vague she was: “Now I love so many things about it: like cool heels and bags and all kinds of accessories.” Um, what? Does she have any authentic personality or interests of her own?

[Glossed Over]

Good point. Her vagueness just makes it seem even more like she's reciting something her publicist wants her to say. (Also, is a woman who's not into clothes and makeup really so threatening to the world? Sheesh. At least she might be genuinely passionate if given the opportunity to discuss her music.)

[Caroline]

Ugh. Avril bugs. More proof that for more people, "punk rock" is an unfortunate phase you go through when you are in high school. She might have been forgiven and even applauded for growing up and maturing into a sophisticated woman, except for all of the holier-than-thou comments she chose to make about everyone else being such "posers." Uh, Avril, it's "poseurs," and you kinda' failed to notice that you became one.

[Lizzy]

Who likes this girl? She is famous for two personas. First the "punk rock" teen and now the glam with an edge married woman. But seriously, she's so bland and lifeless that it's hard to believe that there are people out there who actually think she dresses herself in the morning.

[NotQuiteITGirl]

Notice that she didn't get a Rolling Stone cover ...

I am extremely disappointed in the editors at both Jane and Lucky for putting her on the cover. When I last checked, Avril didn't appeal to their target domo. Especially Lucky ... Kim France? I love you! Why? Why? Why?