My Response to the GQ Article on The Feast
After
GQ released their list of
America’s Worst-Dressed Cities the Twittersphere erupted in outrage at Chicago’s ranking. “How dare they?! That’s ridiculous! That article is so wack!” (I think I tweeted the last one). Listed the 4th worst out of 50, the authors wrote:
Chicagoans like to hedge descriptions of their style with, “It’s not New York, and it’s not LA…” It’s self-conscious Midwestern. Lucky for them, harsh 11 ½-month winters serve to excuse a look that screams third-coast-insecurity: The Parka Pierogi. Ingredients: Blown-out Nikes; torn cargoes; favorite novelty T-shirt; Bears/Bulls/Blackhawks hoodie—all wrapped up in a totally nondescript parka. Are those things municipal-issue?—Robert Fischer
It’s clear from the mocking tone that the editors had only one purpose for this article – to garner attention for GQ by angering people. Sadly, it works. It’s one of the cheapest ploys in media, and only a few steps away from the Paris Hilton/Kim Kardashian “accidental” sex tape leak strategy. Even I fell for it because I’m not only posting about it now, but I was also interviewed by a writer at NBC’s blog The Feast for a story about it.
By Daisy Simmons
What do you think about the idea that we suffer from “Midwest insecurity”?
I think years of listening to lies and stereotypes have taken their toll on Chicagoans. It’s cool and fashionable in many circles to rip on Chicago, even here in the city. It’s more of a defense mechanism I think—people have to put something down to make themselves feel better, and Chicago has long been fashion’s punching bag. So of course we’re going to be a little hypersensitive. Rather than complaining about it or believing it, go out and change it. I see the stereotype of Chicago as unfashionable as an obstacle to overcome. It’s driving innovation. Plus with the opening of the new ikram and the recent nomination of Chicago-based Creatures of the Wind for the CFDA/Vogue award, the belief that Chicago is unfashionable is as outdated as ever.
Amy,
You are completely on point here. Not to mention that us wearing sports shirts is completely relevant – White Sox World Series Winners 2005, Black Hawks Stanley Cup Winners 2010, The Bulls THREE-PEAT and 2011 Finalists, The Bears 1985 Superbowl. I rest my case.
Peepz be jealous of our teams and are taking it out on our style. But if we can survive hot summers and harsh winters, we can definitely take the criticism.
The GQ article is trash for several reasons, including as you say that it's simply a ploy to garner attention. With a list of 40 cities, they pretty much had to hit every major city in the country. Not only that, since when is Wasilla, Alaska a "city"?
That said, I certainly feel Chicagoan's pain. In May, the Wall Street Journal published an interview with Danielle Steele in which she totally trashed San Francisco, saying among other things "I don't think people really care how they look there."
The Styleseer
http://styleseer.blogspot.com
@Sandy It's absurd to say that because people rep Chicago sports team that we have bad style. I know tons of well-dressed, super fashionable people who wear sports clothing on game day. It's called PRIDE.
@Lauren after looking at your website Ms. Steele couldn't be more misguided. People need to put others down to make themselves feel better. Maybe Ms. Steele doesn't care how she looks? Simple case of psychological projection!