I'm Not A Hater, But I Am A Hater: The Current State of Menswear Discourse & Fashion Bros

From Throwing Fits to Jake Woolf to Comoli — an honest look at menswear’s drama, gatekeeping. And yes, unfortunately, Chris Black’s line too.

Before We Begin

In case you’re reading Duchump for the first time, you can catch up on my latest work — the last three posts are just below:

• Fabric First, Silhouette Second: An Interview with William McNicol

• Bad Influence, Good Taste: A Duchump State of Mind

• Corduroy Is For The Baddies

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The Current State of Menswear Discourse

First things first — there’s nothing wrong with being a hater, as long as you have the cojones to say it with your chest. We’ve grown a little too kind in fashion, offering fewer and fewer critiques around a collection, a trend, or — in this case — the state of menswear discourse.

You can’t deny it: we’ve all had a sip of the Haterade at some point in our lives. Whether it’s someone in your office getting a promotion over you, or seeing someone you’re into get with a friend of yours — the examples are endless. It’s only natural. You just need to know your limits, and when it’s actually appropriate to be a hater.

Lately, I’ve had a lot of people reach out asking for my thoughts on the ever-evolving state of fashion-bro culture, taste-making, and what happens when A-tier Duchumpian brands like Comoli, Auralee, and Graphpaper start circulating in spaces like Throwing Fits, Jake Woolf’s orbit, and the wider menswear internet.

Am I a hater? Oh, absolutely — but hear me out.