The Internet, Feedom of Speech, and the Distastefully-Inclined

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Precursor: I’ve never claimed to be a fashion expert. But let’s call a dog a dog…

I really have a love/hate relationship with the Internet. Frankly, without the Internet, no one would have the access to my noble opinion and taste. Why I hate? The internet has proliferated and festooned (and I mean festooned…) voices to the distastefully-inclined. In this virtual world, William Sledd (YouTube him…) can claim to be a “style expert” and Perez Hilton (www.perezhilton.com) legitimately justifies his role in critiquing celebrity outfits. This freedom of speech, or in this matter, taste, is not new; what is new is it that it has never been easier to broadcast and make credible. Let’s face it – building a blog is feasible for anyone with at least 2 brains cells that rub together, and I admittedly have taken full advantage of it myself. And yet, it is this ease of use that has garlanded everyone and their moms with a ‘Sash of Style’. The best part? Their justification – I mean, leave it to the internet to convert social stereotypes of sexual orientation into a trustworthy qualification, or better yet, a marketable commodity.

As such, I thought I would create a small list of reasons people have crafted to support the title of “Style Expert” and, more importantly, why they’re as much about smoke & mirrors as Bush’s addresses to the nation.

You’re Gay
Since when does sexual orientation grant you a certificate of Fashion? Look at the Queer Eye guys and their love of velvet embossed pants and pink blazers. And where does it stop? Are we then supposed to take mullet-styling tips from lesbians? Okay, bad example.

You work Retail
Knowing how to fold clothes and knowing how to put them together are two entirely different concepts. Besides, working at Old Navy makes you, if anything, less qualified to give style advice. Besides, doesn’t Walmart qualify as retail…

You Subscribe to Fashion Magazines (US Weekly, Cosmo, Life & Style)
I know, knowing what designer piece Eva Longoria managed to destroy is vital. On top of that, who else loves Sarah Jessica Parker’s “avant-garde” style as much as you?