Take a glance at photos from New York's ongoing Occupy Wall Street protests and you'll see plenty of dirty hair, plaid shirts, fanny packs, sweatshirts and other less-than-appealing sartorial statements.
But look closer and you'll also see some adorable protest get-ups. The New York Times decided to take a look at protest fashion -- and now a critic from the Telegraph is asking: Is Occupy Wall Street just one big fashion show?
The Times created a slideshow called "What To Wear To A Protest?" on Thursday, which took snapshots of stylish protesters and asked them about their ensembles.
Some protesters' outfits reflected their anti-corporate, disaffected stances, such as 19-year-old Brian who wore borrowed clothes and noted, "All these kids are trying to protest against corporations while they’re wearing Hollister and J. Crew and smoking cigarettes, which are the hugest corporations in America."
He may have been referring to a fellow protester, 30-year-old Liza, who told the Times:
"I'm wearing heels and they’re really comfortable. I kind of didn't plan to be protesting. I mean what's a protest outfit? Like in case you get maced or arrested? You have to think about the elements and the forces that come up against you. The pencil skirt is vintage I got at a thrift store. My gauzy shirt I just got the other day and I've worn it maybe four times already. The sunglasses are Michael Kors."
It might be that quote that caused the Telegraph to write today:
It all rather suggests that Occupy Wall Street is little more than a fashion show masquerading as a political movement, a gathering of super-cool yoof who want to show off how hopping mad they are about bankers and war and pollution and stuff and also how fabulously dressed and adorned they are.
Well, maybe not quite. Sure, there are protesters Michael Kors and Hollister and everything in between. But does that mean their protests -- for, say, higher taxes for the rich or more accountability for banks -- are disingenuous?
Anyway, we may stop by the protest next week and we're pretty sure we'll be wearing clothes purchased at -- gasp! -- a chain retailer like H&M. Oh well.