Food Cart Tube Tops Are Latest Fashion Trend

Looking for a piece to complete your wardrobe that makes a statement? What if that statement is “GYRO, BAGEL, BURGER, KNISH, MUFFIN?” New York fashion designer Edna St. Louis has got you (partially) covered, taking inspiration from a New York staple to create what she’s calling the “Halal Cart Bandeau Top,” a scrolling tube top that will be automatically familiar to anyone that’s ever gotten street meat from a food cart. You’ll instantly be the hit of any party you show up to – and just as quickly become the biggest disappointment of the night after you fail to show up with said food and are kicked out for false advertising. 

Not surprisingly, St. Louis (the person, not the city) was inspired by New York (the city, not the Flavor of Love contestant). “I wanted to make a reference to something real New Yorkers experience,” she told the NY Post. Unable to tie fashion into “too many rats” or “sometimes randomly getting punched,” she realized the solution was right before her eyes – the common Halal cart.

The $295 LED compression tube top is lined with leather and has a Velcro closure—an improvement from the metal and unbendable sign on an actual cart. And while we’re not telling you how to dress, if we were, we’d certainly suggest you top the outfit off with a Sabrett dirty water dog golf umbrella.

There are a few drawbacks to the tube top, however. First of all, you can’t program it to say anything else, since St. Louis told the Post that it would “defeat the point.” Also, it can’t be washed or dry cleaned. Another con is that drunk and hungry people might follow you around the entire time you wear it demanding food, which depending on your viewpoint and martyr complex, might be an advantage.

And while the tube top is admittedly pretty amazing, if you wear it out more than once, you’ll become known as “the halal cart girl (or guy),” a stigma that will be hard to remove. If you wear it out more than twice, it’s completely your new personality, and you might as well just buy a cart and go into business since you’ve already got the sign. However, if you’re looking for a new “how I meat your mother” story, you should head to St. Louis’ website to grab one.