J.Crew, the poster child of the classic all-American preppy aesthetic. This excitement comes hot on the heels of their launch of their new men’s jumper. At $168, this piece combines style with function, as evidenced by the stunning Fair Isle pattern on the upper yoke. Its bright, cheery color means it’ll look good wherever you place it! Some members of the MAGA community were quick to lose their minds and their sense. Their answer ignited a firestorm of discussion and concern over American masculinity and fashion sensibilities.
Widely hailed for years as the best in classic, real-sexy American aesthetic, J.Crew’s dna has long been sold in simple formulas. As a result, no brand is more recognized in this country as the “leisure uniform of the establishment.” It draws dapper gents from sea to shining sea. Harry Styles and Tyler, The Creator have already fearlessly rocked J.Crew’s cool, cutting-edge wares. In the celebrity world, stars such as Jake Gyllenhaal and Daniel Craig have made the leap into lively splashes of pink. This latest resale of the pink jumper has already drawn a wave of criticism from outraged critics. Critics say it attacks sacred masculine design standards, though many have welcomed it.
The issue took a new turn with a tweet from conservative social media commentator Juanita Broaddrick expressing her concerns. She figured it wasn’t very masculine of men to wear that piece of clothing.
“Are you kidding me?? Men, would you wear this $168 sweater?” – Juanita Broaddrick
Broaddrick’s tweet started a veritable stampede of other demoralized, keto-phobic paleo-cyborgs matching her tone and tenor. Another user expressed strong disapproval, stating, “No man in my family would wear it!” while another added, “HELL NO. I’m a man, not gay and won’t be dressing up as a Golden Girl anytime soon.”
Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican congressman from Tennessee, chiming in on the Twitter debate as well. He commented that the jumper was straight out of a “sorority girl’s closet in the 80s.” This comment was illustrative of the obvious conflict between the garment and deep, patriarchal, masculine norms.
This backlash takes place amid an ongoing national conversation about masculinity in America and the need for it to change. J.Crew’s history is documented in Maggie Bullock’s book titled “The Kingdom of Prep: The Inside Story of the Rise and (Near) Fall of J.Crew.” The book chronicles how the brand has maintained its relevance in changing fashion landscapes while often being associated with preppy style.
These high-priced fashion items directly counteract traditional white conservative notions of masculinity. This ongoing clash has given rise to fresh discussions and in some cases, retrograde conversations about what it really means to be a man in 2023. Critics of the pushback insist that accepting different styles isn’t the same as abandoning masculinity. On the one hand, advocates for progressive gender norms argue that certain articles of clothing are fundamentally tied to one’s gender identity.
And to be fair, J.Crew has taken some deserved lumps. Many advocates within the fashion industry are demanding the removal of the gates of gender. The brand’s fearless color and pattern palette incorporates plenty of pink. Such ideas challenge the traditional notions of masculinity and push men to be able to safely express themselves however they want, including through their clothing.
The current controversy surrounding J.Crew’s pink jumper serves as a microcosm for larger societal debates about gender norms and fashion. As consumers demand more representation and celebrate different styles, we hope to see brands like J.Crew continue to spark conversations about honoring identity and self-expression.