https://twitter.com/dieworkwear/status/1818427805631430723
The discourse around “weird” strikes me as not great. I’m probably stretching the limits of this analogy, but a lot of what I see on here reminds me of a major discourse in menswear.
There are two types of guys who are into tailoring: guys who see themselves as part of a larger style community (e.g., streetwear, techwear, avant-garde) and think dressing nice is fun. Then people who attach morality to this discussion and think everyone should wear suits.
Both types of people are weird if only because wearing a tailored jacket nowadays marks you as different from the norm. This is doubly true for young guys. I think Ethan would be the first to admit he dresses differently from most ppl (although stylishly)
IG ethanmwong
But some other guys make it a moral issue. They see suits as part of an idealized past; the shift away from tailoring part of a corruption of society. If we all returned to grey flannel suits and poplin shirts, it’s believed, we would improve society as a whole.
I see this division in other aesthetic spaces, such as architecture. I also like classical architecture, but I also like other forms of architecture. At the very least, I don’t see the erection of non-classical architecture as some moral failing. An excerpt from the NYT:
A lot of discourse on Twitter right now is about who deviates from the norm: trans people with blue hair, some guy screaming in a USA flag shirt, or some other thing. But to me, “weirdness” is not about how far you deviate from the norm but rather your view certain choices.
As mentioned, wearing any kind of of tailoring nowadays marks you as weird (although, I would add, this is true of any cool casual outfit, as dressing cool marks you as different). But it’s weird to think everyone should wear a suit. Or that non-suit ppl are moral failures
This seems similar to the discourse right now on having kids. While I think being a parent gives you a lot of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment, I don’t think it’s a moral failing to choose to not have children. It’s a difference of allowing ppl to choose for themselves.
Many will rightly point out that I often impose a singular view of how to wear tailored clothing (although my tastes are, in fact, more eclectic). But the difference is that I don’t think wearing an ugly outfit makes you a moral failure.
I also think this is the best time for fashion bc you can wear whatever you want, which allows for a wider expression of style. The discourse right now on “weird” focuses too much on deviation from norms and not enough on how we talk about deviations.