Umm...I think you're reading too much into that excerpt.
It seems pretty reasonable to me.

Are you perhaps trying to push a political agenda?


I do have my political sympathies, but regardless I think everyone can agree on this:  Although the author never really pushes a strong point, the implication seems to be that anyone who dresses in a manner that distinguishes himself from popular college fashion, especially in a preppy or 'WASPy' way, is either (a) posing as a member of the 'white, wealthy, power elite establishment' or (b) a member of such an establishment who is, consciously or unconsciously, perpetuating it.  If the former, he is betraying his true self and his more authentic friends back home.  If the latter, he is making his classmates with less fortunate upbringings uncomfortable and insecure, and, now that his consciousness of this has been raised by our brave author, he may want to amend his behavior and dress accordingly.  (That's not stated, but it seems to me latent motive for writing this article.)  My objection is that he gives no consideration to the fact that classic clothing actually looks better than the current popular fashion, which ranges from gaudy color combinations and shirts whose main feature is an oversize brand logo to simple, abject, sloppiness.  "Middle class" students, in his mind, must only don blazers and cashmere to win status points, not because they might have some aesthetic merit, while the more affluent must wear Barbour coats out of some false "modesty," rather than a natural appreciation of their restrained, casual elegance.  Thus, the Andover Shop and J. Press are out; Urban Outfitters and the Gap are in.  At least that's how I interpret it.

A temple to the meritocracy?  Is the Crimson joking?  A university notorious for legacy practices with an administration that defends legacy practices?!  A student body of which a vastly bloated percentage graduates with honors?  And a well documented grade inflation problem.  I'm not implying that it is impossible for one to receive a valuable and enriching education at Harvard.  But the quality of one's university education depends much more on the amount of effort and dedication that one invests and much less to any name or reputation.  But then again, no one pays for an education anymore anyway, they pay for credentials. 
As for the style/elitism issue, it permeates all forms of style.  Yes, the preppy, popped collard lacoste shirt, bmw-driving look conveys an elitist attitude, but then again the art schools and galleries are full of anti-establishment hipsters running around in 400 dollar Dior jeans.  the elitism in contemporary clothing has much more to do with visible branding than with any sort of aesthetic "look."  Welcome to the era of $600 denim.  And as for "classic" style being the last bastion against "the vulgar," perhaps more vulgarity is what we need.  and since when are style and vulgarity mutually exclusive?  Jean Genet wore suits.  Furthermore, I fully support Thom Browne's notion (sorry to keep plugging Browne, I don't work for him I swear) that jeans and t's have become the establishment and that suits are in that context quite rebellious.  want to be a renegade, don't get a tattoo, get a bowtie.  Or get a tattoo and bowtie.  If people don't want to dress in a manner that pleases them because they fear that others will find them elitist, then they have truly never outgrown their high school mentality.  I'd feel much less elitist in a well made suit than in a $150 factory pre-ripped white t-shirt from Dolce and Gabanna and a $250 pair of Nudie jeans.  I say that if before you leave the house, if look in the mirror and feel cool and confident, be it a do-rag or a bow tie or even a $150 factory pre-ripped white T-shirt from Dolce and Gabanna that you're wearing, than by all means keep doing like your doing.  No garment or style could ever be more vulgar than the restriction of personal freedom.

Last edited by Incroyable (2007-05-13 01:33:29)

Last edited by Coolidge (2007-05-13 07:14:55)

rousseau, I'm sure you will get along great with your new friends and colleagues in banking.