15 Minutes In Hell - Episode 2 - Derek Guy - @dieworkwear
Aug 14, 2023
auto_awesome
In this episode, Ed Zitron interviews Derek Guy, a fashion writer known as 'The Menswear Guy'. They discuss Derek's rise in popularity on Twitter, the criticisms he faces, men's fear of enjoying fashion, and the negative effects of fast fashion. They also explore ethical considerations in buying cheap clothing and highlight brands with better labor practices.
Derek Guy's practical advice on Twitter resulted in a significant increase in his followers, highlighting the importance of providing useful content.
Men's hesitation to enjoy fashion can be attributed to historical gender coding, creating a stigma around clothing appreciation for men.
Deep dives
Growing on Twitter through helpful content
Derek Guy, known as the menswear guy, gained a significant following on Twitter after a spat with Dave Portnoy. By offering earnest and useful information on topics like the cost of quality cashmere and dressing for larger figures, Guy found that his audience responded positively to his helpful content. While he had previously focused on in-group jokes for a smaller audience, he discovered that providing practical advice resonated with a wider group of people.
Criticism and backlash from different quarters
Derek Guy faced backlash and criticism from different groups for various reasons. Some were annoyed by his presence on their feeds due to the algorithm that recommends tweets. Others, particularly those on the left, criticized fashion as frivolous and capitalist. Guy aimed to dispel these views and address social and political issues related to clothing. He also touched upon his approach to critiquing individuals' outfits, emphasizing his preference for criticizing public figures rather than random people on the street.
Gender anxiety and the enjoyment of fashion
Derek Guy believes that men's hesitation to enjoy fashion is rooted in historical gender coding. In the past, elaborate and expressive clothing was more common, but men's fashion eventually became more austere, leaving fashion to be perceived as feminine and frivolous. Guy argues that this gender anxiety creates a stigma around men appreciating clothing. Nonetheless, he emphasizes that everyone has the right to choose their level of interest in fashion and that judgment based on clothing choices is unfair.
The problem with fast fashion and seeking ethical alternatives
The rise of fast fashion, exemplified by brands like Shein, Zara, and H&M, has detrimental effects on both labor and the environment. Fast fashion's rapid production and quick turnover of trendy items create waste and exploit workers. Derek Guy advocates for a more sustainable approach, suggesting that people should buy fewer but higher-quality clothes that bring lasting enjoyment. He acknowledges that ethical alternatives can be subjective, but highlights brands like Uniqlo and Carhartt as options that balance style, longevity, and better labor practices.
Welcome to the second episode of 15 Minutes In Hell.
Today’s guest is Derek Guy, known as “The Menswear Guy” or @dieworkwear (https://twitter.com/dieworkwear) on Twitter. He’s written for the Washington Post, Financial Times, Esquire, Mr. Porter, and the Business of Fashion, and he’s currently an editor at Put This On (https://putthison.com).
We talked about how the new Twitter algorithm took him from about fifty thousand followers to over 470,000, why people on Twitter find him so frustrating, why men are so afraid of enjoying fashion, and how evil fast fashion (EG: Shein) has become.
We’re also debuting the official theme of 15 Minutes In Hell, written and performed by Eve6 (https://www.patreon.com/Eve6ix).
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ez.substack.com
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode