Cancel culture…
What is cancel culture? I have a very articulate friend who wrote about her concerns regarding cancel culture a few years ago. Until she wrote that, I had never really heard of it. Not sure what cancel culture is? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as: “the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure”. Plain as mud, right? Demetria Slyt says it like this: “For those of you who aren’t aware, cancel culture refers to the mass withdrawal of support from public figures or celebrities who have done things that aren’t socially accepted today. This practice of ‘canceling’ or mass shaming often occurs on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook (source).”
I’ve been wondering…
Does cancel culture apply to fashion? Does it apply to music? Is there a statute of limitations for these things? Recently, I read, in different forums, that both Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld have some pretty awful things about their characters and their actions. Now, I’m not really into true designer things, but I always thought the quilted Chanel purses were kinda neat. And, who doesn’t love a Chanel-inspired tweed jacket? The recent Met Gala theme was “in honor of Karl,” and the stars turned out for it. So, given these things, does cancel culture not apply?
When does it count…
I’ve mentioned my youngest son on countless occasions here on the blog. He is really into music, probably considers himself a musician rather than a therapist. The child (he’s almost 40 so, technically, he’s a man) loves his music! And, he absolutely adored Michael Jackson when he was younger. Recently, we were talking about the whole MJ controversy. He asked me if I thought MJ’s music should be played on the radio or even listened to at home. I’d wondered the same thing because I’ve considered some of his songs for Songful Style. My son is as free thinking as I am so I was a bit surprised when he asked me. We had a bit of a conversation. He was definitely leaning toward never listening again. But, the list is long if we’re talking misbehaving musicians. So, what constitutes cancelling them?
What about…
Businesses are not immune to cancel culture, either. Take a look at Bud Light. When they teamed up with trans influencer, Dylan Mulvaney, the company’s stock took a 3% hit. And, sales are down about 21%. The company, rather than sticking to their cans, dropped Mulvaney. Both Mulvaney and the Budweiser company have received pretty awful feedback and comments. Budweiser has even cancelled events due to worries over employees being harassed or harmed.
I’m still wondering…
If Coco Chanel’s anti-Semitism and collaborating with the Nazis is an important part of her history, does that extend to the brand that bears her name? Does Karl Lagerfeld’s fat-phobic stance tarnish the brand he built at the Houses of Chanel, Fendi, or Chloé? Not that I will ever have the funds necessary to buy something from any of them, but I could buy a Chanel purse on a resale site. I could even save my money and buy a brand new one. More likely, I’d buy a Chanel-inspired jacket, a quilted bag, or something evocative of the black/white aesthetic of Karl Lagerfeld. But, the question is, should I?
A bit more…
I’m so torn by this whole idea of canceling celebrities, companies, and personalities. Do we ever consider the amount of income generated by a company? For example, the Chanel brand must employ thousands of people around the world. If everyone quit buying anything Chanel, think of the people who would be unemployed. But, if we buy those things, are we then looking the other way when it comes to Coco Chanel’s anti-Semitism? She died in the early 70s. I don’t know if she ever regretted her past actions. She was certainly no saint, but do we hold that against the people who work for the company bearing her name? And, Michael Jackson? He’s been gone for almost 14 years. Is his body of work to be completely disregarded because of the controversies surrounding him? I honestly don’t know. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on all of these things. I do hope you’ll comment or email even if you rarely or never do. I’m truly interested to hear your thoughts and/or arguments one way or the other.
My outfit…
Well, I certainly chose the wrong topic to go with this sunny outfit! Raise your hand if, at first, you thought I was wearing a jumpsuit! Nigel thought I was. Nope, this is a tee and wide leg pants I recently bought at Loft. These linen blend pants are right on trend with the paper bag top and the cargo style pockets. If I’d noticed those pockets, I might not have bought them. But, you don’t even see them so all is good. A few years ago, I would have walked right past them thinking I was too old for them. Not anymore!! The tee is almost the exact same color saturation. If you look closely, you’ll see a slight variation. If there had been a plain colored tee in the store that went with the pants, I probably wouldn’t have bought it. Once I got home, I tried them on together and realized they looked like a jumpsuit! Yay! Three looks for the price of one? Or, is it two? I have never bought much orange because I didn’t think I liked it. But, I’m really loving this outfit!
The Lewk!
When I bought these L’Artiste Pillow sandals last year or the year before, I had no idea how versatile they would be! Mine are the grey color though they read more dark brown than grey. They go perfectly with this outfit. My earrings and necklace are old Brighton purchases from more than a decade ago. I don’t go into Brighton stores at all. Those associates are so good! I spent so much money when I was teaching. I think I was in the store a couple of times a month. And, as you can see, I bought matching sets! I probably would still do that today.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I know this is a heavy subject for a fashion blog, but I’m really curious to know what you think. I have been pondering this cancel culture thing for quite a bit. It began, for me, with Michael Jackson. But, now I have to think about Coco Chanel because I do buy Chanel makeup. So, can we talk? Is Michael Jackson’s music justifiable? Does the product and its inherent value negate the creator’s missteps? Is there a time limit to a designer’s history? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as possible.
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Very interesting. I always said that I would never buy Hugo Boss, as they designed the nazi’s uniforms. But now Gerben has a jacket of Hugo. It’s not the same people of course who design now. As for MJ, he is never proven guilty is he?
See, you understand exactly what I mean. Michael Jackson was not found guilty, but he did pay off other families which makes you wonder. I just don’t know…
Such an interesting post Marsha, lots to think about.
Your outfit is so cute and fun – I had not seen this at Loft! You’ll be able to wear the pieces separately and create tons of looks!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! It’s funny you say that because I think my Loft stores are so woefully understocked. I mean there are yards between racks! But, I was really thrilled at how well the colors matched so I could wear them together.
I’m still confused about the whole cancel culture thing. I am such a Libra!
First, the outfit is amazing. Seriously amazing and I love to hear how your thinking has evolved about what you wear. I feel like mine has too and it’s so freeing!!!
The cancel culture thing is interesting. The thing is, when it comes right down to it, we are all flawed humans. Besides the fact that most of us do the best we can yet looking back at history can change your perspective, right??
XOXO
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I walked past those pants several times before deciding to try them on. I picked up the tee because I really liked the print but wasn’t sure about the colors that close to my face. It wasn’t until I tried them on together at home that I decided to wear them together!
As far as cancel culture, I was called out on another blog because I’d commented my dream bag was a quilted Chanel bag. That started me thinking about it and the message I might be conveying. My son and I have had a couple of conversations about Michael Jackson. That one might be a little more iffy…if he was guilty of the charges, do we condone that behavior by playing his music. It’s like saying his music was ok even if he was not. I don’t know. Like I said, it’s so very confusing to me! Thanks for your input!
I still like MJ’s music. Regarding CC, I may not buy it. No, it has nothing to do with cancel culture. But everything has to do with price. Love your outfit1 You look great!
Thanks so much, Bindu! I agree with you on the CC merchandise although I have bought some CC lipstick! That I can afford! You have a lovely blog, but I don’t see how to subscribe. I would love to do so.
I just love this outfit on you! It’s so bold and fun! Your thoughts on cancel culture are interesting. I think I tend to take a moderate stance. If it’s a designer or musician, I think it depends on if their contributions reflect their personal opinions. Does the clothing show anti-semitism or do we focus on their controversial traits when remembering them? Does that make sense?
Thanks, Laura! I was really surprised at how well the two matched (at myself for buying them)! You make perfect sense to me. I think I have always fallen on the same side as you. I was kind of called out on another blog in the comments when I said my dream purse would be a CC quilted one. That got me thinking about cancel culture and whether or not it had an expiration date. Some times, I wonder if we’ve gone too far, but then, I remember I’m usually not in the demographic who feels slighted. I hope that makes sense.
This outfit is absolutely adorable on you!!!
So hmm. Lots to think about at 7 am when I am reading this. LOL. It’s tough. There are certain businesses that I personally don’t go to or spend money at due to their beliefs, but I don’t make a big deal of it or tell everyone else not to. Michael Jackson is gone; so is Coco Chanel. You are not directly supporting them by listening or using their products, but in the case of Chanel the people who sell and make it. (and where is it made? Is it made in factories full of child labor?) It is very hard for us to be 100% informed on everything, and make all the super conscious choices, and be 100% able to follow our own personal credos and beliefs when it comes to consumption. However, I do also make choices for our family based on these things if I can and it makes sense. I would probably still listen to Michael Jackson – in fact, while we were in Indiana over the weekend we were listening to a radio station that played MJ and Billy and I cranked it way up and were jamming and singing along to it.
I read the Little House books all the time. These are so controversial these days, because of the racism that is not even hidden in its pages. I think it is a good talking point to Wyatt when reading older books when these ideas we don’t agree with come up. I can say people used to think this way and it was common, but WE don’t and it is not right to do so, etc. Teachable moment!
I am not sure if I just started rambling or if I made any relevant points at all. I will come back after I finish my coffee and see if I sounded coherent. LOL
Thanks, Erin! You bring up good points about how and where a product is made. I haven’t read the Little House books in a long time and didn’t realize there was racism in them. Yes, these kinds of things are definitely teachable moments and should be used as such. I hadn’t even considered books as part of cancel culture, but they definitely are!
I think you made lots of sense even if you only had a little bit of coffee!
First, your outfit is fabulous! I did think it was a jumpsuit at first. Love the vibrant colors! Cancel culture is such an interesting topic. Even though it came about recently and social media amplifies it; it has always existed but in a different way. I think it’s important to look at the situation, the facts, and your personal beliefs to decide.
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks so much, Jill! I hadn’t intended to wear it that way, but I tried them both together and a faux jumpsuit was born! Thanks for your input about cancel culture. I think you are correct that social media plays a big part in it.
I absolutely love this faux jumpsuit – the bold colorful print is just gorgeous and so cheerful. Like a lot of people, I’m ambivalent about cancel culture and truly, I’m not sure what to think/do when it comes to these questions because there are no easy answers. I had a friend (gone now) whose parents were Holocaust concentration camp survivors who was adamant that he’d never own a Volkswagen vehicle, but he also said that he wouldn’t judge anyone who did (as his own roommate did!). His position makes a lot of sense to me because we each have to find our own balance point among a lot of contradictory considerations to guide our actions. I think the mass cancelations can be a bit of a pile on, and why some people “get away” with the same thing that others are canceled over is a bit mysterious to me.
Thanks, Sally! Although I’d been thinking about cancel culture for a bit, this post came because of a reply to my comment on another blog. That reply was a bit terse and maybe even a bit snarky, but it did get me thinking. Thanks for your input. I agree about some people getting away with the same thing others get canceled for.
First, the easy stuff: OMG! I freaking love this outfit! Gorgeous!
The hard stuff: you posed some very interesting questions, and I think the answer us, it depends. If I am at event where someone is being offensive – being a racist for example – it absolutely behooves me to walk out on them. Coco Chanel? She’s been dead for 40 – 50 years. Does not buying her designs hurt her? No. As you said, it only hurts people who work for the brand. The brand is not an anti-Semite (unless it is funneling money to anti-Semitic causes, and then that’s another story). Same with Michael Jackson. He is the perpetrator; not his music. No way to really let a dead guy know we disapprove. We could deprive ourselves of his music, but that doesn’t cancel him. He’s uncancellable. (I doubt that’s a real word.)
Budweiser’s reaction to the blowback was disappointing. You either stand for something or you don’t. I’d cancel them for caving if I could, but I don’t drink that swill, so… I did cancel doing business with Hobby Lobby though. And while yes, it may hurt their employees, this is a business who forces their religious views on their employees, and who bought Iraqi religious artifacts illegally. I think the only thing that saved their butts is that the artifacts are fake. But I won’t support their lack of ethics.
So that’s my 2 cents.
Michelle
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
Thanks, Michelle! I was really surprised at how much I liked this outfit! Talk about dopamine dressing!
As for canceling, I like the way you’re coming at this. I think that’s what I’ve been trying to come up with, but I’m a Libra and always see both sides. As for Hobby Lobby, I stopped shopping there following the way they handled the pandemic and furloughing their employees. That seemed heartless.
well, I try not to cancel anybody. I do like Karl Lagerfeld clothes (I am partial to black and white and have some of his tee shirts and just bought a poplin shirt which I love!) and I was taken aback when I read he was fat phobic. Since I am since xl or 16, I assume he was speaking to me??? lol. You made a good point when you say you actually hurt the companies with decreased sales (Budweiser) but one also hurts all the people who work for them in the process. I just feel so many people in this country are so busy hating other people who are different. I have seen this up close because my sister is special needs (retarded) and has been treated badly, made fun of, and taken advantage of her whole life. This is so disheartening to me.
well, enough of that! I love when you where a monochrome outfit (one color) I think this outfit applies. It makes you look taller and hides the fact you are short waisted.
Thank you so much re: the outfit! Yes, I hadn’t really known that about Karl Lagerfeld either until I was doing some research for something else. It’s rather ironic because he lost 90 pounds so you know he wasn’t skinny.
You are so right about the divisiveness in this country. I get so upset with treating others differently. I work with differently abled adults at my church, and they are some of the best people I know! I am so sorry your sister has been the victim of this kind of behavior.
Thanks so much for coming by, Linda!