Comments on: (This Is Not My) Fantastic Man

By: Nathan Branch

Nathan Branch — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:12:53 +0000

I despise what Thom Browne has done to menswear with his “shrunken” look. Talk about infantilization.
Both he and Hedi Slimane ruined high-fashioned menswear for men who aren’t gay, rail thin, or both. Suddenly, LVMH and PPR realized that they could still charge enormous amounts of money for designer clothing while cutting back on the amount of fabric actually used to make the clothing — it was a win-win for them. All they needed were a few well-placed articles in fashion magazines (not to mention well wined and dined fashion editors) proclaiming these shrunken, skinny designs to be “genius” and the damage was done.
I almost cried with relief when I saw Bottega Veneta’s Men’s Fall ’08 line with its roomy trousers and generously cut jackets. I’m crossing my fingers that it sold well enough to have an impact on the rest of men’s fashion.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:52:29 +0000

This was the laugh I needed today! Now I recall why I stopped taking GQ seriously in ’91.
Seriously, the dumb things menswear designers will do just boggles the imagination. I think we’ll be seeing the convertible suit again soon, with hidden zippers to shorten the pants legs and jacket sleeves. (yes, again.)
I note with minor glee that Thom Browne was nowhere to be found. I hate his Pee-Wee Herman suits with the high-water trousers and sockless ankles. Tom Ford I can deal with (except those patterns that cause uncontrollable eye-crossing), but TB’s “fit” is a scourge upon the earth.

By: Nathan Branch

Nathan Branch — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:21:16 +0000

The pity is understandable, and accepted.

By: Tara

Tara — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:03:42 +0000

I have seen a parade of Scotsmen in kilts in downtown La Jolla that caused traffic accidents.. now that was sexy. As for that string of ads… you have my sympathy. Men’s fashion is so pitiful, I feel sorry for y’all sometimes. There are good moments… but these aren’t any of them!

By: Nathan Branch

Nathan Branch — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:26:35 +0000

I lived in Seattle for about eight years, and there was a small group of gay leather-bar men who insisted on “rocking” the kilt. They still looked absurd, especially when they stomped around in their kilt and combat boots, glowering at everybody, but at least it really was a kilt.

By: Justine

Justine — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:07:22 +0000

HA! This is the most hysterical post! I love it. The men in skirts really got me. There are a couple of characters in the hills near where I live who continue to rock the man-skirt, and not well, I might add. Seeing nice looking guys wearing them hasn’t changed my opinion one bit. Men in non-kilt skirts just look silly. Even with flip flops.
Thanks for the laughs

By: Nathan Branch

Nathan Branch — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:56:37 +0000

Marin — please don’t feed the bad designers.
And you’ve followed up your Klaus Nomi reference with a poke in the Malcom McLaren. Somebody needs to keep an eye on you.
Lisa — don’t forget “sad” . . . it’s hilarious AND sad. I’m laughing through my tears.

By: divinemama

divinemama — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:50:09 +0000

Hilarious Nathan!

By: Marin

Marin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:41:46 +0000

Dear designers for men:
A-line skirts *ostensibly* look good on everyone. Give it a try.
I’ll wait here.
XOXO
M
p.s. — Bret Easton Ellis is the best thing about this issue (remember the Malcolm McLaren bit? Good times, good times) and I’m thinking he wore his own sweater.

By: Nathan Branch

Nathan Branch — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:28:32 +0000

You’re so right. Fashion spreads for women can sometimes veer into plum crazy, but most of the time they’re simply attempting to set a mood or strike an emotional tone to draw a consumer in.
These male fashion spreads, however . . . god only knows.