Fat, O.K.? And Having a Blast.
Our comrade-in-blogs, Stephanie Rosenbloom gained her reputation here for writing painfully obvious non-articles about such topics as people wanting sneakers that fit and where to purchase sorbet gel.
But this article is different. It's informative, sympathetic without being empathetic, and without that Stylin' Section cutesy that makes Cat Fancy look like Reuters. Also, there's not a trace of bemusement, snark or incredulity. Stephanie's bigfoot national writer colleagues could stand to learn a thing or two from this article, which nicely outlines the many different leisure options for seriously overweight people. In summary, there's everything from Vegas fetes and scuba lessons to bowling nights and personal training. She even includes some nice details, such as the fact that falling is a common concern among obese people.
In all honesty, I have to say ... thanks, Stephanie Rosenbloom. This is the best article I've ever read in the Stylin' Section. Of course, if Stephanie has a piece about $48 bath beads or Chanel noseplugs for swimming in the Hamptons, I'll be sorely disappointed. Not that I'm holding my breath.
Sophia? Is That You Behind the Shades?
Oy. Again with the cutesy. It's like reading really bad sportswriting, but about freaking sunglasses. Apparently, celebs like big sunglasses, so now everyone else does. And the Stylin' Section is there to cover that trend, complete with awkward, forced writing like:
The eyewear equivalent of bling, they compete for status with the fashionably oversize handbags toted by the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie and come in more styles than Baskin-Robbins has flavors.
The rest of the article proceeds apace. Trend is limned, people in the street are interviewed. But there's one more quote we have to point out. A retailer mentioned that the big-glasses trend is just getting warmed up because "they make you look hoboish in a rich way."
Awesome. I can't wait to see the Olsen twins hopping freights. Then Hobo-chic will be totally in! And then we'll read about it in the Stylin' section: Louis Vuitton will come out with a line of bindles. Clubs will add Thunderbird to their bottle service! Alex Kuczynski will write about boxcars and make it all about her!
Add That Youthful Glow, but Watch the Wattage.
Apaprently, there's ground up shiny stuff in some makeup. And if you apply too much, you look, as one person interviewed for this utterly pointless article said, "like a disco ball."
So the key then, would be not too little or too much, but just enough. All the News that's Fit to Print, indeed.
Grown-Up Boys' Wear for Bar or Barricades.
Wow, it just doesn't feel right, a Critical Shopper piece without Alex Kuczynski. But I suppose it doesn't take much to smack around a story that lauds a store called Nom de Guerre where one can purchase a $1,600 sweatshirt lined with rabbit fur.
It's got all the touches to appeal to 20-something males, right down to the unmarked, below-street-level location. And this week's critical shopper, Penelope Green, has learned well from her self-absorbed Jedi Mistress. She, too, can inject random friends and acquaintances into the story.
Such artful casualness, my friend Dan mused, seems geared to a man intent on modeling himself after a Brad Pitt type who has been styled for a visit to Starbucks. "You know, the hair is wet and tousled, so he can be 'caught' by the paparazzi," Dan said. "Or maybe it's what you wear in the front row of a Lakers game."
We'll let the reader decide. Here's some of the other things one can purchase at Nom de Guerre.
Paper-thin Rogan flip-flops nearby are even more archly casual, almost disposable, in a black-on-brown print over hemp soles, $110. Military jackets in navy and white pinstripes or a tigery black-and-gray camouflage pattern, carrying Nom de Guerre's own label, are $325. Lavender gingham button-down shirts, also by Nom de Guerre, classic and fitted, are $210 and $195.
Naturally, the Times finds the store charming and even "pleasantly subversive" due in part to its underground location. Personally, I'm just relieved there were no offhanded WMD references in this article.
I'd also like to note that the headline to the Times' article makes a reference to "barricades." I'm pretty sure that if it ever came down to it, the people who shop at this place wouldn't be doing any barricade-manning. You'd think a paper that just did a series on class distinctions would realize this.
The Twinkle of an Eyelash, With a Blink of Mink.
Eyelash bars! Where you can get fake eyelashes made out of fur. No, seriously.
I can't wait until the Wall Street Journal's version of this is up and running, and I can totally fucking lose my respect for that paper, too.
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