Althouse: Lighten up. It's just fashion.

February 26, 2009

Lighten up. It's just fashion.

"A model presents a creation from the MAN 2009 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week February 25, 2009. REUTERS/Stephen Hird."

83 comments:

reader_iam said...: Wouldn't it be fun if this were animated?; 2/26/09, 3:14 PM
chuck b. said...: "Lighten up! It's just fashion!"

One of my all-time favorite PR moments, and my most favorite Santino moment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yCv-V6tIPU; 2/26/09, 3:15 PM
Jason (the commenter) said...: With knee pads that look might just work.

Why no sandals with those socks though?; 2/26/09, 3:18 PM
reader_iam said...: Would this be better or worse in a different color?; 2/26/09, 3:20 PM
traditionalguy said...: Maybe a Scotsman forgot his Kilt. It looks like the fashion this year may begin requiring us guys to shave our legs too. But how much CO2 will poison the Mother Earth from all the new men's shaving supplies factories? Someone alert the NYT's ecology desk.; 2/26/09, 3:24 PM
Skeptical said...: He's wearing a Onesie™!; 2/26/09, 3:25 PM
Ernesto Ariel Suárez said...: I'll wear it. I'll send you pictures too...; 2/26/09, 3:33 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: Maybe a Scotsman forgot his Kilt.

He's overdressed for that possibility.; 2/26/09, 3:34 PM
Jason (the commenter) said...: Would this be better or worse in a different color?

DO NOT get it in white. You don't need people looking at your train tracks when you're walking around, if you know what I mean.; 2/26/09, 3:37 PM
George M. Spencer said...: Or you could wear heavy wool pants and nothing above the waist, except gloves and a wool cap.; 2/26/09, 3:38 PM
LordSomber said...: Did Mugatu have a... hand in this?; 2/26/09, 3:40 PM
Jana said...: At least they're not shorts, right?; 2/26/09, 3:41 PM
dbp said...: I didn't get a good look at the shoes, but the rest of it looks suitable for running.

This might prove useful in rougher neighborhoods.; 2/26/09, 3:46 PM
I'm A Feline said...: And indeed there will be time
To wonder, "Do I dare?" and, "Do I dare?"
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—
[They will say: "How his hair is growing thin!"]
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin—
[They will say: "But how his arms and legs are thin!"]
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

… T. S. Eliot, from
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock; 2/26/09, 3:51 PM
Ron said...: hmmm...skid mark camo!...sweet!; 2/26/09, 3:53 PM
Ron said...: Are we looking at the manly waxing of a swimmer or a Neeted metrosexual?; 2/26/09, 3:54 PM
Hazy Dave said...: I see you posted this 3 minutes before I made note of it in the "Dreams" comment thread... The Force is Strong in This One.; 2/26/09, 4:11 PM
Mr. Forward said...: A dork in shorts is a dork, of course

And no one can talk to a dork, of course

That is, of course, unless the dork is the famous Mr. Head.

Go right to the source and ask the dork

He's wearing a wardrobe Ann won't endorse

His legs are much too hairy and course

Talk to Mr. Head.

People yakkity yak a streak and waste your time of day

But Mr. Head will never speak unless he's on display.

A dork in shorts is a dork, of course

Even a dork that drives a Porsche

You never heard of a dork in shorts?

Well listen to this

I am Mr. Head.; 2/26/09, 4:12 PM
Tibore said...: Look, it looks dumb enough on babies. Why on grown men now?; 2/26/09, 4:15 PM
Sofa King said...: What is Obama going to do to fix this?!?!; 2/26/09, 4:16 PM
Trooper York said...: If Mort were awake he would say that asking us to "Lighten up" is racist.; 2/26/09, 4:20 PM
Ron said...: As a person of pallor I think being told to "Lighten up!" is racist!; 2/26/09, 4:23 PM
Curtiss said...: I used to have a recurring dream in which, no matter what the situation, I always, somehow, unwittingly managed to become dressed just like that handsome fellow in the photo. But, in none of the dreams was I ever a judge.

I don't have those dreams anymore since I quit drinking.; 2/26/09, 4:24 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: Obama is right; the economy is horrible. They couldn't even afford to make pants for this fashion show!; 2/26/09, 4:27 PM
Peter V. Bella said...: You call that a man?; 2/26/09, 4:31 PM
ricpic said...: OT - Who wants to join a Tea Party? If you go over to Instapundit and scroll down there is a long list of Tea Parties to be held in most major cities in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, West Coast, etc. Most of the Tea Parties will be held tomorrow and some on Saturday. You wanna send Commiebama a message? Show up!; 2/26/09, 4:33 PM
Trooper York said...: Real men don't go to tea parties. That's for girls. We stay home and play with our GI Joes.; 2/26/09, 4:39 PM
r basler said...: Thanks for linking to my Oddly Enough blog. Please come back often and bring your friends.

Bests,
Bob Basler

http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/; 2/26/09, 4:44 PM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/26/09, 4:56 PM
bearbee said...: Whatever happened to the Eldridge Cleaver pants?; 2/26/09, 5:04 PM
Tibore said...: " Trooper York said...
Real men don't go to tea parties. That's for girls. We stay home and play with our GI Joes."

LOL!; 2/26/09, 5:10 PM
Tibore said...: " Theo Boehm said...
I'm sure if Sir Archy were alive, he'd have something to say about this."

If Sir Archy were alive and saw this, we could get the first picture ever of a Victorian Era man facepalming.; 2/26/09, 5:11 PM
Michael Haz said...: Surely you jest!

No, and don't call me Shirley.; 2/26/09, 5:12 PM
Jason (the commenter) said...: I'm sure if Sir Archy were alive he'd have something to say about this.

Alive? He's a ghost!; 2/26/09, 5:15 PM
Trooper York said...: That Althouse is such a copy cat. Now I guess we are going to have a bunch of celebrity camel toe photo's. Only of dudes. Man that is so 2008.; 2/26/09, 5:15 PM
Jason (the commenter) said...: Now I guess we are going to have a bunch of celebrity camel toe photo's. Only of dudes.

Now that you mention it, I wonder if the outfit comes with an extra sock.; 2/26/09, 5:18 PM
al said...: Why the Shorts tag?

Real men don't go to tea parties. That's for girls. We stay home and play with our GI Joes.

I still have mine from the late 60's/early 70's.

Real guns are more fun.; 2/26/09, 5:20 PM
Trooper York said...: Wait a minute. The GI Joe I bought in 1968 had a real gun. And nunchucks.; 2/26/09, 5:25 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: This is what you do if you find yourself in a business casual setting and no pants. You can't leave your shirt untucked because that would be sloppy. You just tuck your shirt into your same color underwear and voila.; 2/26/09, 5:27 PM
Ron said...: Don't wear a cape with this outfit; people will think you can then stop bullets -- and it won't be true!; 2/26/09, 5:35 PM
Anonymous said...: Just fashion? Grounds for divorce!

It's like an anxiety dream, where you are in public with no clothes on.; 2/26/09, 5:35 PM
Michael Haz said...: I look at the model and imagine him speaking with a German accent.

My name ist Frahnz.

I haf lost my pahntz.

Now you see my schvahnts.; 2/26/09, 5:54 PM
Sofa King said...: He kind of looks like an alien from Star Trek TOS. Proabably one with a really screwed up homeworld. Maybe a bizarro Earth, wear the women have beards and you wear you underwear outside your pants.; 2/26/09, 5:57 PM
Chennaul said...: I'm pretty sure he's in the Hung-arian army.; 2/26/09, 6:04 PM
BJM said...: AYIEEEEE!!!

My eyes, my eyes!; 2/26/09, 6:45 PM
Unknown said...: I am proud to say I turned Ann on to this fashion disaster. And disaster it is. I mean, how dare he wear such tall socks with that!; 2/26/09, 6:45 PM
blake said...: Don't wear a cape with this outfit; people will think you can then stop bullets -- and it won't be true!

The voice of experience, eh, Ron?; 2/26/09, 7:00 PM
Hazy Dave said...: Right, the black socks. What he needs to complete the ensemble is a pair of sandals!; 2/26/09, 7:01 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/26/09, 7:10 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: This is the solution to the longtime problem of what to wear when all of you is cold except for your knees and thighs.; 2/26/09, 7:13 PM
reader_iam said...: Freeman Hunt:

Dustless black pepper!!!; 2/26/09, 7:33 PM
reader_iam said...: (Freeman Hunt's the thread-winner, IMHO.); 2/26/09, 7:34 PM
reader_iam said...: Wouldn't "dustless black pepper" be a great tag?; 2/26/09, 7:39 PM
Synova said...: The guy is a good looking fellow, but that is just gross. Does it do anything for you guy liking guys? Because it's just repulsive from this side of things. Ugh!

Firstly, guys should not shave their legs. Secondly, that picture with hair? *shudder*.; 2/26/09, 7:57 PM
Michael Haz said...: I'm pretty sure he's in the Hung-arian army.

Probably the Hung-aryan Army.; 2/26/09, 8:12 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: Dustless black pepper!!!

Ha--exactly! Maybe the same company makes both.; 2/26/09, 8:17 PM
Joe said...: Proof once again that with enough money and/or passing fame, you can get someone to do whatever the hell you want.; 2/26/09, 8:23 PM
TitusSuperstition said...: I actually like it.

The guys hot too.; 2/26/09, 8:56 PM
The Dude said...: Eldridge was a classmate of mine. He wore something different.; 2/26/09, 9:02 PM
David said...: "As a person of pallor . . ."

Person of pallor. Ha, ha. I like it.; 2/26/09, 10:05 PM
Fr Martin Fox said...: I'm sorry I'm hopelessly square, but...

The people who put on such things aren't really proposing that real people dress that way...on the street?

I mean, it's just a goofy thing someone who designs underwear or socks did for publicity, right?; 2/26/09, 10:08 PM
Palladian said...: "The people who put on such things aren't really proposing that real people dress that way...on the street?

I mean, it's just a goofy thing someone who designs underwear or socks did for publicity, right?"

Yup. It worked too!

I have to say I'd beat up any man I saw wearing that in public. But that fine young man would be welcome wearing that at my house anytime.

A little smooth, however. Stop the waxing, dear. You're a man, after all.; 2/26/09, 10:40 PM
Jason (the commenter) said...: The people who put on such things aren't really proposing that real people dress that way...on the street?

It's a show to impress people who know fashion and want to see something different. Some of the stuff in the show may not ever be sold in a shop, but designs based on what you see may.

Sometimes just one or two pieces from the outfit may end up being sold. As you mentioned, the underwear might be sold all by itself. Designer underwear certainly has a market in the gay community.

Sometimes NONE of the clothing is intended to make a profit. The designer may make money selling a fragrance or accessory, but not the actual clothes which very few can afford.; 2/26/09, 10:42 PM
vbspurs said...: You don't need people looking at your train tracks when you're walking around, if you know what I mean

Wrong thread, buddy. --->; 2/26/09, 10:50 PM
Jason (the commenter) said...: If anyone wants to see more, a slide show of other looks from this collection is available here. A video of highlights is available here. (They mysteriously left the "underwear as pants" look out of the highlights video.); 2/26/09, 11:06 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: I am a piece of copper pipe.

"It's not my fault. Me mummy accidentally bleached the top half!"

"No, no, this isn't your Aunt Mildred. It's me, Steve!"

"My neck, it's just been so cold, you know?"

"So my personal trainer is telling me that I can't skip the lower body workouts and be in proportion, but I just really don't like them."; 2/27/09, 12:41 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: "Well, see there was this great big Sharpie..."; 2/27/09, 12:43 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: "Grrr."

"My grandmother, you know, she knits. Really too bad bad about the color blindness though."

"As for me, I think Daryl's taking the MMORPGs a bit too seriously these days."

Punk Vulcan.; 2/27/09, 12:50 AM
blake said...: "So my personal trainer is telling me that I can't skip the lower body workouts and be in proportion, but I just really don't like them."

I'd laugh (hysterically) except I think these models create unrealistic body expectations for boys!

You women with your love of skinny men!; 2/27/09, 12:56 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: "Yeah, but you don't think it's a bit fey or something, do you?"

"No, I don't know anyone named Meade, and I certainly didn't steal his pants!"

"I've been trying to go a little bulkier up top. Fill out the chest and all that."; 2/27/09, 12:59 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: "I don't know what happened. I remember thinking that I really liked the pattern, but then I got home and..."

"Do you have a highlighter I can borrow?"

"I'm not! It's not a skirt if it's split into two legs!"; 2/27/09, 1:08 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: "You might as well face it, you're addicted to love."

"Yeah, I've got your f#$%in' highlighter right here!"; 2/27/09, 1:13 AM
Jason (the commenter) said...: Freeman's laughing now, but she'll be dying to wear this come fall.; 2/27/09, 1:17 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: "I ran out of sequins, but you get the idea."

"Oh, excuse me. Just stepped out to get the paper. Don't mean to interrupt."

"Hi, Tom. Out to get the paper, I see. Just bringing Milly out for a potty... Oh! A fashion show? Here? Oh, how embarrassing. Excuse us. So sorry. We'll go back inside."; 2/27/09, 1:22 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: she'll be dying to wear this come fall.

For the girl who's both a fashionista and professional children's birthday party entertainer...; 2/27/09, 1:25 AM
Freeman Hunt said...: "No, I'm just a really confident person that's all."; 2/27/09, 1:28 AM
Jason (the commenter) said...: "Oh, excuse me. Just stepped out to get the paper. Don't mean to interrupt."

Actually, I see kids wearing pajamas to school sometimes. So "pajamas as clothes" may be an actual trend that catches on. It's the logical endpoint to the casual clothing trend.; 2/27/09, 1:30 AM
Jason (the commenter) said...: Oh, and for everyone who hates shorts on men, I've seen them pushing cuffed shorts on men, and that can look ten times worse.; 2/27/09, 1:42 AM
Anonymous said...: I own the thong version of this outfit. Same color. More cheek.; 2/27/09, 10:06 AM
tim maguire said...: Among the many other horrors here is the model himself. He has a very masculine face completely undone by those hideous birdlegs.

He needs to fire his trainer and replace him with someone who will work on the whole body, legs too.; 2/27/09, 11:15 AM
Anonymous said...: blake said...I'd laugh (hysterically) except I think these models create unrealistic body expectations for boys!

You women with your love of skinny men!

Don't be a jealous fatty. Those grotesquely ugly male models Freeman posted were selected by male homosexuals to display their designs.

Models in the Western world are usually some kind of sick joke.

I blame it on White homos and old White women, both of whom fear voluptuous, athletic, fertile, life affirming bodies.

They prefer this Night of the Living Dead/Star Wars bar collection of creatures.; 2/27/09, 2:46 PM
free_technology said...: My mom is a genious!:); 2/28/09, 8:32 AM
amba said...: Nice legs!; 2/28/09, 9:43 PM