Maga is in meltdown over a preppy pink sweater for men. So, what exactly is the problem? | Ellie Violet Bramley
In recent days, a seemingly innocuous pink jumper from the well-known American brand J Crew has ignited a firestorm of outrage among certain segments of the conservative right in the United States. The sweater, characterized by its classic crew neck and Fair Isle pattern, has been met with intense criticism primarily due to its color. Conservative commentator Juanita Broaddrick sparked the controversy with a tweet asking if men would wear the $168 garment, leading to a chorus of negative responses from her followers. Many expressed their disdain for the color pink, equating it with femininity and rejecting the idea of wearing it as a matter of masculine pride. Comments ranged from dismissals of the sweater as something a “sorority girl would wear” to outright refusals to embrace a color that some equate with a departure from traditional masculinity.
This incident highlights a deeper cultural tension surrounding gender norms and expressions of masculinity in contemporary America. The vehement backlash against the pink jumper reveals a fragility in the conservative perception of masculinity. For many, the rejection of the color pink symbolizes a broader resistance to evolving definitions of gender and personal expression. It underscores how deeply entrenched and often fragile notions of masculinity can be, especially within certain political circles. The responses to the sweater also reflect a fear of being perceived as less masculine or of stepping outside of prescribed gender norms, which can be seen as a significant concern among some conservative men.
The uproar over the J Crew jumper serves as a microcosm of a larger societal debate about gender identity, expression, and the acceptance of diversity in personal style. As fashion increasingly embraces a more fluid interpretation of gender, the backlash against the pink sweater can be viewed as a defensive reaction to these changes. It raises questions about how far society has come in terms of gender acceptance and how far it still has to go. In a world where clothing can serve as a powerful form of self-expression, the controversy surrounding this jumper is not just about fashion; it is about the ongoing struggle for acceptance and the redefinition of masculinity in the modern age.
The outrage a J Crew jumper has provoked shows that the US right’s sense of masculinity is far more fragile than it would care to admit
A men’s jumper by the all-American preppy label J Crew has sent thousands of Maga Americans into meltdown. From a fashion point of view, it couldn’t be more innocuous. It’s got a crew neck. It’s made from wool. It has a Fair Isle pattern at the upper yoke. There’s nothing asymmetric about it, no fringing or tassels, no slogan blasted across the front; no “Make America Kind Again”. So what’s the big deal? Reader, the jumper is
pink
.
The main storm broke underneath a tweet by conservative
social media commentator Juanita Broaddrick
, in which she asked: “Are you kidding me?? Men, would you wear this $168 sweater?” The consensus among her followers was a resounding no, and not because of its price. “No man in my family would wear it!” wrote “MOMof DataRepublican”. “My husband wouldn’t use a pink bathroom towel,” assured another. Another X user was even more passionate: “HELL NO. I’m a man, not gay and won’t be dressing up as a Golden Girl anytime soon.” Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican congressman,
called the sweater
“something a sorority girl would wear in the 80s”. I think he meant it witheringly; I read that and think it sounds quite fun.
Ellie Violet Bramley is a freelance writer
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