Friday fun: Conservative rebels in blue jeans
From George Will, the weirdest comment of the week:
“Denim is the carefully calculated costume of people eager to communicate indifference to appearances.”
Er. Don’t know about you, but in my case, denim is the “costume” of normal people who like wearing something comfortable and inexpensive in the home office, to the supermarket, on the road, and at the kids’ soccer matches and horse-riding lessons. (And yes, even when they are doing Fox News segments!) Busy, budget-conscious wives are grateful to busy, budget-conscious husbands who wear jeans that don’t have to be ironed. This is not an “indifference to appearances.” This is attention to frugality, practicality, and time constraints.
I understand the conservative critique of our culture of casualness. Diana West wrote the definitive book on The Death of the Grown-Up.
But Mr. Will’s jeremiad on blue jeans is too much:
…the appearances that people choose to present in public are cues from which we make inferences about their maturity and respect for those to whom they are presenting themselves.Do not blame Levi Strauss for the misuse of Levi’s. When the Gold Rush began, Strauss moved to San Francisco planning to sell strong fabric for the 49ers’ tents and wagon covers. Eventually, however, he made tough pants, reinforced by copper rivets, for the tough men who knelt on the muddy, stony banks of Northern California creeks, panning for gold. Today it is silly for Americans whose closest approximation of physical labor consists of loading their bags of clubs into golf carts to go around in public dressed for driving steers up the Chisholm Trail to the railhead in Abilene.
This is not complicated. For men, sartorial good taste can be reduced to one rule: If Fred Astaire would not have worn it, don’t wear it. For women, substitute Grace Kelly.
James Lileks has a splendid takedown in his latest Bleat mocking Grandpa Will’s war on Demon Denim. Rachel Lucas has a ribald rejoinder as well.
But as always, a picture is worth a thousand words. Would Fred Astaire wear this anywhere (besides in the dark, I mean):
(Photo credit: Scott Ableman)
People in yellow pants shouldn’t throw stones.
Here’s hoping Will is cured of his intellectual wedgie soon.
Oh, and my prescription for what ails him in the above photo: A pair of Genuine Wrangler’s Loose Fit Jeans.
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It must be great to be so well off you can look down at others.
He looks like a Cantalope that’s started to rot.
This is a joke, right?
Yeah, I’ll start taking fashion advice from geriatric George right after … well, 1st of Nevuary.
I know I am showing my age, but where’s the youtube of Les Nessman blaming the wildness of today’s youth on dungarees, aka Levi’s?
Well I guess down here in S TX blue jeans aren’t the norm? I dare you Will to go to a C/W dance in your ‘yellow pants’.
L
I think George missed some of his meds..?
I’d hate to know what his idea of casual Friday is. Possibly black tie and tails?
Two words for George….
Tread Mill.
But he doe’s have the Trump Toupe, combover thing going for him. lol
RTater #4, that’s a funny visual you just conjured up. Thanks for the laugh.
Pssst George, Here’s a real man in Jeans.
Ronnie
Fred Astaire? I prefer John Wayne.
Wow, I thought only Democrats could insult that many people at one time…
I don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t wear jeans. From bikers to bankers and everyone in between.
Nice ice cream pants there George. Might try some jeans.
Ah…WKRP
That’s suits vs. dungarees…
OMGosh! I’ll make sure I make this article and visual my reason for having an upbeat and positive attitude at the casino tonight (work). I’ll be on fashion alert for sure..sheesh!!
I Hope George sees this! LOL!!
Go easy. That photo was taken at the Gabon Pride Parade.
Jeff – You are the man !
30pcs said:
Nevuary…..that’s funny!
What’s shocking here in Hawaii are the people at the beach who aren’t wearing wingtips and knee length black socks for their strolls in the sand. Their indifference to appearances is why I never go to the beach.
I wonder how Janet Reno Napolitano missed including jeans wearers in her list of dangerous extremists.
BTW, if that green belt doesn’t say “indifferent to appearances” – what does?
There could not possibly be a more effective smackdown of Mr. Panda Prissy Sailboat Captain Will than that photograph.
Pair of good blue jeans – $30 or less
Smacking down George Will on his anti-denim crusade – even cheaper
Photo of Will looking like a hopelessly dorky preppy Caucasian Urkel? PRICELESS
I’ll be sure to keep this image when I go to work at the casino tonight…lots of fashion statements there I must say! LOL
I hope George sees this!! Wot a farce! LOL
This man has jumped the sharkskin…
Google and find Dana Carvey doing his George Will impression on a SNL sketch. At the end, George shows his baseball “skills”.
Where’s my leisure suit, honey……..?
I’m sure T. Coddington Van Vorhees II approved of George’s yellow pants, though it was missing the key element, he should be wearing a pink polo shirt. My God! Doesn’t the man realize you never mix pastels with primaries.
Not the denim leisure suit, the seersucker one……….
Always glad to improve the discourse via old tv shows…
Michelle,
FYI, I wear blue-jeans and sports shirts (Hawaiian shirts are my preference) most days in my law office.
For those who need a lawyer who wears a suit every day, and judge their choice of lawyer on that criteria, I am not their guy.
For those who judge on other, rather more important criteria, I am often their selection.
I even wear that out-fit at depositions, when I feel it appropriate. It makes people forget they are talking to a lawyer, and I find I get more information…and more candid information when I am thus attired.
Let me guess…White belt and shoes with a bolo tie?
Ha! We doan need no steenking ties in Hawaii!!
I was watching a newscast of Pres. Bush shortly after he was elected. He was clearing brush from his land and cut his finger. He wiped the blood off his fingers on his blue jeans. I thought that is the sign of a common man. I could never imagine Al Gore or John Kerry wearing jeans much less wiping his bloody finger on his pants.
John Kerry would want a medal for it…
The most hilarious TV title ” Leave it to Beaver “
Jeff,
The first thing I thought of was that. Great job!
Gee Ward…
This is why Chap is the lawyer of choice when making out your trust. Would you trust a man’s judgement as to whom should inherit your polo pony if he were to actually be wearing a Polo Shirt?
NO ties with leisure suits! Open wide collars worn over the jacket. (Not that I ever wore one a them stupid lookin’ thangs.)
ECS
Actually, John Kerry, no doubt has illegals taking care of his wifes estate.
Before pretending to throw it over George Will’s fence.
You are aware that Mr. Kerry served in Viet Nam…???
Beside Ganges Khan…
Up here in western Colo. we can always tell if there is a lawyer from the Front Range (Denver, etc.) because they are the ones not in blue jeans, but in a suit.
WKRP was one funny show! Years later I found out what the “KRP” stood for… insert an A wherever you would like…
My apologies…A gold chain with small, yet tasteful coke spoon.
Will the part of the Republican Party that I would like to see SHUT UP! He is why WE get collared with white, rich, racist TAG! Hey Will, your time has come and went it’s a new day in the Republican Party now sit down enjoy the tax cut that will come your way and again SHUT UP!
I’m wearing a pair right now. I guess I should just hand in my conservative club card.
You are aware that Mons. Kerry served in Viet Nam…?
Right beside Ganges Khan…
I’ll bet that George wears socks with his sandals.
I’m surprised that George Will knows that we commoners call them blue jeans. He seems the type that would sneeringly call them “dungarees”.
Strange that the largest backers of the Liberal party fit that description. Paging George Soros…Paging any Kennedy…
Dark socks with Bermuda shorts…Stuck in the ’50’s is old George…
C’mon, guys…
George S. Patton was a patrician, like Mr. Will.
Our culture, like our circle of friends and compatriots, has plenty of room in it for everyone who believes in the same fundamental principles we love.
Ahh, the 50’s…..when men in porn movies wore socks and nothing else.
(So I heard….)
Patton wore a uniform.
I used to wear yellow slacks to do my chores, but the dry cleaner complained about having to get cowpie stains out.
As an accountant with a small oil company, I’m usually the best dressed man in the office merely because my bluejeans don’t smell like crude.
Heh…heh…
Sort of like driving a Mercedes SUV on the Rubicon Trail?
Hell, even Martha Stewart wears dungarees.
I thought what you wear in a personal environment in America was a personal choice, one of many freedoms we’re losing. Having said that, people in the position of Ragspierre’s here, I can appreciate his attitude, it’s his office, his clients, but I do not go for casual Fridays.They sound like hi-school. FYI I’m 63 been wearing Levi 501’s for 53 years.
Nice yellow pants. He should hike them WAAAAY up and go out his front door yelling “You damned kids! Get off my Lawn!” With his opinion and his choice of clothing he is now officially an “Old Fart”.
I had a green belt once. But then again, I was in the Boy Scouts at the time.
Oh oh, I think I just outed myself the DHS.
“Ahh, the 50’s…..when men in porn movies wore socks and nothing else.”
Hey Hangfire,
Sometimes also wearing black eye masks. and sporting the name “Ever-ready”.
Or so I’ve heard.
With a tasteful ankle bracelet…
As an old guy (60 this month) seeing both Hannity and Beck in jeans on their programs last night, I stand by my assertion that most men and women over age 40 should not wear them. They look ridiculous with their fat guts hanging out. (And jeans were the only pants I owned in my younger days.)
Time for a new pair tho, I bet they are broken in nicely…
Used to be a monitor.
I’ll wait until the 13th.
I’m an electronic technician. I’m kneeling on dirty floors, working on greasy engine generators, etc. I need clothes that are comfortable, durable, and that I don’t mind getting all dirty. Just like the ‘49ers.
Just like a pair of blue jeans.
Also, I ride a motorcycle. Denim is good protection from “road rash”. I rearended a pickup on my Sportster once. My denim jeans and denim jacket were ripped to pieces, but my hide is still attached to me, where it belongs.
I’ll wear what I want…. my Da always said… you buy style you are born with class… I live that way.
I told a teen I was an ‘O.G.’ ( old guy ) I thought he was going to have a stroke laughing…
I used to dislike jeans because they were so uncomfortable when they were new, and then by the time you’d worn and washed them enough to get them broken in, they had holes in the pockets and the legs were too short. Hurray for pre-washed and stretch fabrics!
At least we wear jeans to cover our underwear.
A little historical fact. Cowboys actually didn’t start wearing denim ’til around the turn of the century. In the 19th century, cowboys considered themselves above people who worked in the dirt. And denim was worn by miners.
Serious question, does anyone care what Will thinks about anything? I decided to just stop reading or listening to the inside the beltway crowd. You would be surprised what a difference that makes.
Yet another stupid comment by a conservative elitist that will make us look more and more out of touch. It’s GHWB and the grocery scanner all over again.
Any congress-critter is equally, out-of touch. Politicians are the elite and, darn well want to stay on top. Want to scare a pol? Tell them to go home to their district and, stay there.
I agree with undresiege! The End is nigh! The apocalypse is here !
I wonder where Chapoutier is…
Now, now…Have a nice little pill to make it ALL better…
Denim clad tee shirt wearing flag waving yahoo here. Y’all have a great weekend!
Palani, good point. Now I’m going to get myself in all kinds of trouble… Just got back from a run to Walmart – 9 out of 10 women wearing blue jeans/Levi’s/or whatever should hang their heads in shame. He##, 7 out of 10 men shouldn’t be either. Picture for a moment Hillary Thundertheighs in a pair of tight jeans. I wear a size 4 and still haven’t worn them in 20 years.
The comment about loading golfbags, I don’t believe I’ve ever played a course where jeans or other denims were allowed.
Ironing his three-piece suits.
Are you implying, he is fully vested ?
Admit it – this is an attack on CNN!
But you have to admit, when Will talks about the 1849 Gold Rush, it has the tone of someone who was there…
Groucho said he would not belong to a club that would have him as a member.
I’m implying he spends Friday nights in his underwear. Thankfully, he doesn’t get out much.
Heh…
Now THAT’S a mental image we could all have done without, Aloha Guy!
aloha, your wit and wisdom is priceless. wingtips and knee high black socks! having travelled to miami often in the past, the image is indelibly tattooed in my head. also as was mentioned above, open toed sandles with knee high black socks and bermuda shorts affixed immediately below their nipples by a belt just like george’s. these were mostly jewish, so they had an appendage named mabel or maude behind them continually giving them instructions on how to breath and walk. van voorhees II needs to send a complimentory copy of his columns to george just to give him a warm and fuzzy that he is not the last civilized blue blood republican on the planet.
My role models have always been masculine, therefore I wear jeans.
nice try Jeff2161, I did not imply or say it was one pair, now did I. I do believe I got the jest of your remark, no harm meant?
This is pajamas media. I’m in my underwear. Don’t need wrinkling my Sunday jeans if I don’t have to. What will I wear to church?
Jeans are a proletariat wear and many people on both sides have people who can’t stand what the normal people do
Absolutely not…Being only 47, forgive my juvenile humor…
Those yellow pants are going to make me go blind!
I wore a nice suit to my 25th high school reunion and, I was the only male who wore one. On the other hand, the women loved it…Perhaps, I was too hasty waving the denim flag ?