Tim Walz reminds me so much of my dad with his politics and his clothing- my dad is always wearing a USC (South Carolina) jacket and hat or UNC sweatshirt, we are originally from SC, and my parents met at Central High School in upstate SC. They were surrounded by conservatives but have the most progressive politics of anyone I know from Jefferson SC. My dad asked me at Pride if he looked like he fit in last year and I said well no, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong! I am proud of my dad for continuing to have a growth mindset about inclusivity into his 60s and practicing people’s pronouns in private with me when he struggled with they/them pronouns with my kids’ teacher.
He’s the best! He was the high school quarterback and track star and I know he was somewhat flummoxed by his bookish musician twin daughters but he always talked to us about the books we loved and read a lot of Sweet Valley Twins when we were young. And he joined the pit crew when we were in marching band and drove the truck every week, and he still comes to all our kids’ school events and sports. Plus I work with him and he’s a great law partner and advocate for all his clients, defunding the police, and moving away from the school to prison pipeline.
Tressie McMillan Cotham was just posting in her IG stories (which are always great) about how Harris' fashion choices are calculated (likely by her team) to portray a specific type of power. I can't recall the specifics now but she often has great thoughts on this issue, too.
Apparently it's MYAM Fashion Week and I'm here for it! I loved how everyone in the discussion Monday was (almost) all about function and comfort, and here we're pivoting to public image. Fashion, like everything, is political. Art is pure form. Design is form following function. Clothing can do either or both, and must do both if worn by people working in the public eye. Mix in politics and you have insanely high stakes for a suit, a dress, a heel. I'm so very glad I'm no longer in a suit-wearing gig, and now a happy member of the WFH in stretchy pants club.
I was honestly so delighted by the conversation in the Monday post. It was one of those moments when I wasn't sure if it was a good question or not. But it turned out I learned a lot. And I love that MYAM fashion week involves camo and soft pants. We know how to live.
The first A++ paper I ever wrote was on the intersection of history, culture, and fashion. This is a topic that fascinates me, so your article really resonated with me. Great read!
Speaking as both a progressive and a Midwestern dad, I can confirm that Tim Walz dresses like me. My daily wardrobe is deadly dull. I have a drawer full of solid-color polos and khaki trousers. For more casual activities, another drawer full of solid-color T-shirts and khaki shorts. And for church, I have long-sleeve Oxford shirts (white) and a tie. I realize it's dull, but it works for me.
As a man who likes wearing them, watches are interesting to me. They are a focal point for all kinds of gatekeeping among men in my professional and personal life. People I would have never assumed to care have strong opinions about Omega, Cartier, etc. Much discussion around what is even appropriate to wear around the wrist (Apple Watches are "stupid", Fitbits are "tacky", Timex is "cheap").
I love Derek so much. He’s so incredible knowledgeable and witty. He also champions walkable cities, which I can get behind being as I’m stuck in a Texas city.
For further reading/listening, I would also recommend Articles of Interest! Avery Trufelman has a Substack, but it is mostly just a companion to the podcast, which is EXCELLENT. I'm not much of a podcast person, but I never miss an episode. Deep dives on pockets, plaids, punk style, prep style (and its translations over oceans and eras), diamonds, the idea of modesty in clothing, etc, etc. It is endlessly entertaining and enlightening.
Tim Walz reminds me so much of my dad with his politics and his clothing- my dad is always wearing a USC (South Carolina) jacket and hat or UNC sweatshirt, we are originally from SC, and my parents met at Central High School in upstate SC. They were surrounded by conservatives but have the most progressive politics of anyone I know from Jefferson SC. My dad asked me at Pride if he looked like he fit in last year and I said well no, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong! I am proud of my dad for continuing to have a growth mindset about inclusivity into his 60s and practicing people’s pronouns in private with me when he struggled with they/them pronouns with my kids’ teacher.
Give your dad a giant hug from all of us.
He’s the best! He was the high school quarterback and track star and I know he was somewhat flummoxed by his bookish musician twin daughters but he always talked to us about the books we loved and read a lot of Sweet Valley Twins when we were young. And he joined the pit crew when we were in marching band and drove the truck every week, and he still comes to all our kids’ school events and sports. Plus I work with him and he’s a great law partner and advocate for all his clients, defunding the police, and moving away from the school to prison pipeline.
Tressie McMillan Cotham was just posting in her IG stories (which are always great) about how Harris' fashion choices are calculated (likely by her team) to portray a specific type of power. I can't recall the specifics now but she often has great thoughts on this issue, too.
I saw that too. I watched them all. Her thoughts weren't fully articulated in the video but I did link her NYT piece on Synema from a couple weeks ago
Apparently it's MYAM Fashion Week and I'm here for it! I loved how everyone in the discussion Monday was (almost) all about function and comfort, and here we're pivoting to public image. Fashion, like everything, is political. Art is pure form. Design is form following function. Clothing can do either or both, and must do both if worn by people working in the public eye. Mix in politics and you have insanely high stakes for a suit, a dress, a heel. I'm so very glad I'm no longer in a suit-wearing gig, and now a happy member of the WFH in stretchy pants club.
I was honestly so delighted by the conversation in the Monday post. It was one of those moments when I wasn't sure if it was a good question or not. But it turned out I learned a lot. And I love that MYAM fashion week involves camo and soft pants. We know how to live.
Billy Crystal is in my head saying, "When you look good, you feel good!"
The first A++ paper I ever wrote was on the intersection of history, culture, and fashion. This is a topic that fascinates me, so your article really resonated with me. Great read!
I love his Twitter account so much!
Derek Guy is the master of the burn😍
Love this! And him!
Always love a deep dive into the politics and cultural significance of fashion.
Ah, yes. The case of the buttoned bottom suit jacket button.
Clearly a pretender!
Speaking as both a progressive and a Midwestern dad, I can confirm that Tim Walz dresses like me. My daily wardrobe is deadly dull. I have a drawer full of solid-color polos and khaki trousers. For more casual activities, another drawer full of solid-color T-shirts and khaki shorts. And for church, I have long-sleeve Oxford shirts (white) and a tie. I realize it's dull, but it works for me.
As a man who likes wearing them, watches are interesting to me. They are a focal point for all kinds of gatekeeping among men in my professional and personal life. People I would have never assumed to care have strong opinions about Omega, Cartier, etc. Much discussion around what is even appropriate to wear around the wrist (Apple Watches are "stupid", Fitbits are "tacky", Timex is "cheap").
I love Derek so much. He’s so incredible knowledgeable and witty. He also champions walkable cities, which I can get behind being as I’m stuck in a Texas city.
When will someone tell JD how to stop his nipples from showing through those (apparently) cheap white shirts he wears?
For further reading/listening, I would also recommend Articles of Interest! Avery Trufelman has a Substack, but it is mostly just a companion to the podcast, which is EXCELLENT. I'm not much of a podcast person, but I never miss an episode. Deep dives on pockets, plaids, punk style, prep style (and its translations over oceans and eras), diamonds, the idea of modesty in clothing, etc, etc. It is endlessly entertaining and enlightening.
It’s a shame that article on Synema’s style is in the NYT. I ain’t giving those transphobes a penny.
A fun and interesting and insightful essay. Thank you!