There is a story in Bloomberg today about a fashion trend for men: women's wear [sigh].
Now we all know that these clothing items are outliers, and we won't be seeing them in many places where normal people go, but the trend is there all the same. The point is to knock down barriers, plant perverse seeds, and influence the entertainment industry -- which trickles into our homes like a poisoned well.
As always, public tastes are dictated in large part by celebrities; movie stars, musicians, and athletes have a large say in how younger generations shop and dress. For every Bowie and Jagger in the 1970s, there is a Jared Leto or Kanye West wearing a skirt on stage in 2015. But don't expect to see NBA or NFL stars getting into the androgyny arena quite yet.
“The Kanyes, Pharrells, Jared Letos, and one of my favorites, Lapo Elkanns of the world are gents I love seeing push androgynous boundaries," explains Rachel Johnson, a stylist who dresses such pro athletes as Amar'e Stoudemire and Victor Cruz.
Some department stores have set aside space for androgynous clothes, but they haven't found much success yet, just an expensive way to tweak the industry. Here's a last glimpse before you go find the eye-wash:
MANY years before your time, the fashion industry tried to accessorize men with purses. I notice they are still carrying their keys and wallets in their pants. Well, the majority, anyway. :)
Posted by: Biene Vallée | Friday, 07 August 2015 at 06:36 PM
How sad and true the words of our Lord about us being sheep...needing guidance, love, and truth--but, following in desperation those who promise the green pastures longed for but cannot provide! Merciful Love we need you! Thanks for a great post!
Posted by: Crystal | Sunday, 09 August 2015 at 01:10 PM
Hi! I'm putting below a comment I had about your article in The Anchor from 8/14.
I'm sorry to say this, because I agreed with many of your ideas and points, but your article grossly misrepresented feminism (by indirectly equating it with the "pro-choice movement" and directly characterizing feminists as angry people who simply "despise ... patriarchy" and have "wrested control of their lives fro men.")
Of course, there are many branches of feminism (a nuance which your brief article did not have time to address), and your article certainly describes SOME feminists (but not ALL feminists, as it claims).
Feminism is, as one might see on dictionary.reference.com, "the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men."
Feminism is the belief that all women (unborn girls, nuns, elderly women, college-age women, mothers) should be the EQUAL of men. Women should be allowed to vote! Women should be able to become doctors or engineers! Wives and husbands should be co-parents, who work together in harmony to raise their children! For many feminists (such as myself), these three statements are what largely define feminism.
It is possible to be Catholic and feminist! Indeed, how can one be Catholic and not believe that women should have "rights equal to those of men"?
Posted by: Catholic feminist | Thursday, 20 August 2015 at 07:32 AM
You are so right, CF. There are many marvelous Catholic women who promote the version of feminism that you describe. I've discussed the topic with them for years, and respect their use of language. There are so many versions of feminism, though (which could fill a book), that I personally have chosen not to use the word. It simply requires too much [precious] time to define in any given conversation.
If feminism meant what you describe, then we could appropriate the word with few problems. Unfortunately, not only is it "in the mind of the beholder," but it is so laden with political and pejorative overtones that I prefer "authentic femininity." It's the motherhood element that otherwise goes missing (physical and spiritual) and that's a key component that the secular world cannot comprehend.
Posted by: gsk | Thursday, 20 August 2015 at 09:31 AM