9 replies to this topic

[stipeeyes]

I think our dear Michael is having issues accepting his age.  And he must realize that most men his age do not look nearly as good in a pair of jeans as he does.  Most men period couldn't get away with wearing what he does.
Can you put an age on every type of Clothing?  Whether we are 5 or 75 we wear jeans and a t-shirt.
Thoughts anyone?


From New York Fashion. And a recent photo from this week.

Michael Stipe: Clothing Options Limited for the Middle-Aged Male Pop Star



The R.E.M. front man thinks middle-aged women have it easier when it comes to dressing well than their male counterparts. "As a man of my age — I'm 51 — womenswear is so much more interesting," he told The Cut at last night's Edun after-party. "Once you're no longer 27 years old, it's hard to find really good menswear. It's really limited." Stipe's fashion fear is dressing like that 27-year-old forever. "Especially as a pop star, it's embarrassing when people dress 20 years too young," he explained. "It's really hard to find inventive, cool, well-cut, affordable clothing if you're a guy. I think it's easier for women, I really do."
Who does Stipe, who collaborated with Lacoste in 2008, think is doing it right? "If I could pack a bag for a week to go somewhere, maybe I'd take a Patrik Ervell suit, I'd take some Edun shirts — cause they're doing good shirts for someone my age — um, some vintage Helmut Lang, and the Kim Jones/Louis Vuitton is really good, and …Rogan. Rogan for beachwear."

[fanfan]

I guess his sunglasses replace the orange stripe.

I'm not sure things are much easier for "middle-aged" women, particularly when they are not very slim.

[Sweet Fanny Addams]

What a pile of elitist, consumer driven shite. The respect I've had for Michael Stipe is hemmorhaging with each new fashion blog he posts in. WTF. Shallow. Sad.

ETA-- he looks like a dog's dinner in that pic. If that's fashion sense, he can keep it.

[Sweet Fanny Addams]

Cloned post, no delete button.

[Milsean Cady]

While I agree that women's wear is more interesting, and it's nice to have choices...I don't think it's any easier. In fact, I think it's harder. As a woman, I often feel like what I wear is of such damn importance, especially since women's wear is usually so tailored to the body, and I'm no damn super model. I don't often like having my shape emphasized...but that's women's clothing (that's why women's T-shirts are even cut differently than mens, though mens' are SO much more comfortable...I don't have to worry about muffin tops or what bra I'm wearing underneath). Wouldn't it be nice to dress in men's clothes sometimes...and just be comfortable and casual and not feel like a reluctant fashion plate? That's not to say that all women's clothing is uncomfortable, or that I don't like looking feminine...it's just that its such a damn CHORE sometimes just getting dressed. I feel like we are under more pressure than men to "look good."

Then again, Michael lives in the celebrity world. The normal rules don't apply there. Or perhaps he's just too self-concious altogether. I would love to think that deep down he doesn't give a shit and is just in a phase. But I don't think that's true. I like fashion too...I LOVE Project Runway, but I see it as a wearable art form. What I don't love is the price and the arrogance--celebrities will buy one piece that could feed a starving family in any country of your choice for a month, and think that's justifiable...I don't know how; they're just so out of touch with reality. And then they find it ok to criticise people for their fashion choices...the whole thing is rather pukeworthy. Dropping name brands and designer labels...I used to think Michael was above all that. It's just one more thing to distance him as a man from the artist I have known and loved.

Oh well whatever. It's just clothes. And he's just a dude.

ETA: I enjoyed that link to xo Jane and Emily's experience with a size 14 "bikini" though it really wasn't one! This is something I could relate to...I realized a few years ago that my life is too short to worry about how I look in my bathing suit. I walk around on the beach not caring anymore. I'm tall and thickish w/out much for a booty or boobs...but like Emily said, "I'm a human girl."

[baschiera]

Sweet Fanny Addams, on 16 September 2011 - 10:50 PM, said:

What a pile of elitist, consumer driven shite. The respect I've had for Michael Stipe is hemmorhaging with each new fashion blog he posts in. WTF. Shallow. Sad.

ETA-- he looks like a dog's dinner in that pic. If that's fashion sense, he can keep it.

I  agree  with you again especially when you say: "The respect I've  had for MIchael Stips is hemmorhaging....": What happened or is happening to him?  Can  you still believe in his   political/ social/ecologic commitment?  I can't.

[Sweet Fanny Addams]

baschiera, on 18 September 2011 - 10:10 AM, said:

I  agree  with you again especially when you say: "The respect I've  had for MIchael Stips is hemmorhaging....": What happened or is happening to him?  Can  you still believe in his   political/ social/ecologic commitment?  I can't.

Nope. He's sold out bigtime. IMO, of course.

[Yarxy]

Sweet Fanny Addams, on 16 September 2011 - 10:50 PM, said:

What a pile of elitist, consumer driven shite. The respect I've had for Michael Stipe is hemmorhaging with each new fashion blog he posts in. WTF. Shallow. Sad.

I keep trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, hoping he's been misquoted or misunderstood or misrepresented somehow, but...
Like you said, it's getting more difficult with every new article.
(*cringe*)
I wish it wasn't true.

[Milsean Cady]

thorn plucker, on 18 September 2011 - 10:16 AM, said:

i like being a woman.  i think women's fashion has evolved to the point where it's a bit easier to find clothing that is both comfortable and flattering.

I feel like that most of the time, too. I just get tired of the bullshit pricing and sizing.

[zapiekanki]

"Clothing Options Limited for the Middle-Aged Male Pop Star"

- Man A says: "There's something wrong with this story..."
- Man B says: "What, you don't agree..?"
- Man A says: "No... Stipe thinks he's middle aged!"