Big mistake. Huge.
Where style’s concerned, if-it-makes-you-feel-great-you’ll-look-great-in-it-and-fuck-what-everyone-else-thinks is my get out of jail free card, one that liberates us all from Do’s, Don’ts, Ins and Outs; one that makes an enemy out of anyone who seeks to criticize us for rejecting the rules – rules whose existence hinges on us buying more crap we don’t need.
This strategy might work in the land of Cheap JAP, but it doesn’t fly on planet Chictopia. Oh sure, anyone can join the community, anyone can start a chicblog, anyone can vote and anyone can upload pics of her outfits. Initially, it’s all very democratic.
Click on the Style Gallery, and all that egalitarian shit hits the fan.
Style Gallery RulesThis is not a democracy. It’s a Chicocracy.
To help the community build out a style gallery with quality photos and relevant posts, we only allow photos with more than 3 votes from Chictopia’s style council to be displayed here. Chictopia’s style council is comprised of members with more than 200 chic points. Our staff editors help facilitate the style gallery selection by making final edits based on lighting, photo content, and blog content.
Am I pissed that none of the photos posted to my chicblog (see above) have made the style gallery? Yes. Am I taking it personally? Also yes, because I’m an arrogant little beotch who thinks I know how to dress. At least I did, until I started actually looking at the individual photos that made the cut.I know how to dress, but these girls know how to DRESS. They take risks, break rules, and their collective creativity puts everything I’ve ever seen in glossies to shame. The world of fashion might consider some of their outfits to be totally nutso. But they’re not dressing according to what’s In – they’re dressing to express themselves. Maybe it’s a blow to my ego that I’m not among them, but they’re practicing exactly what I preach. So I find myself in a bit of a pickle – intimidated and inspired both.
When we happen upon killer style – online or in life – we immediately feel threatened. Our hunch is that if she’s hot, well-dressed and confident, she’s probably a bitch, so we treat her as such. I do it; you do it; there’s no concrete answer as to why. We’re so afraid of being criticized, judged or shit-talked that we rarely allow for the alternative; that the source of our fear might actually be nice.
That alternative is all over Chictopia. Killer style gets complimented, those hailed return the favor, and there’s a warm-and-fuzzy aspect to every exchange. I’ve been browsing for weeks, and I still haven’t seen anything judge-y or mean. It seems as though women, when they’re bound by a common interest and interacting from the safety of their respective desktops, laptops and smart phones, aren’t all that interested in tearing each other down. They’d rather trade style tips than bitchy quips.
Chictopia’s got its share of inspirational style, but that’s not what keeps me coming back. It’s what it proves about us as women – that without the fear of judgment or criticism, we’re more apt to be allies than enemies. That’s more inspiring than the most inventive of outfits. Maybe it’s something we’re all capable of too.
Kumbaya, beotches.
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It bothers me that they only allow super-stylized, glossy-mag-esque photos on their site. Like, what if you don’t live near the beach or woods, and you aren’t dating a photographer at the moment? Does that mean you aren’t stylish? And that you don’t deserve to be in the club and give and receive kudos? Not very utopic.
I’m bothered by the fact that all the pictures that have made the cut are of very slim women. There’s not a darn thing wrong with being slim, it’s beautiful, but so are larger bodies and I’m sure there have been submissions by more zaftig women.
That being said, I’ve gotten some nifty ideas from the photos so it’s not a total loss.
Rae, it does say something about the editors making final edits based on lighting and photo content- I’m not positive, but might that mean that not all these photos were as nice as they look until being shooped just a little? But I kind of agree with both you and wildbriar, I was looking and thinking ‘they all look like pro models.’ Part of that being setting and attractiveness, I think, although I was giving them some credit for flat-out confidence and posture. Just my rambling two cents.
Hi Wendy, I totally agree with you. The girls all look hot… they are admittedly great at what they do. The thing that bugs me is the girls who got shut out of the little club they have going — the whole “everyone can share their personal fashion victories, but only if they meet OUR criteria” thing. Everyone with the balls to put themselves out there should have the right to some props from a like-minded fashionista.
I realize I probably won’t be uploading anything to the site (since I don’t need to start spending an hour of my day trying to take photos of my look)… but the setup of the site is pretty nice. I’ve gotten some great ideas on how to combine some elements of clothing which I totally wouldn’t have thought of. And while some of the girls do look modelly, I’ve seen some avg looking women in there too. Plus, if you want to look for women who are of a certain size (for example, short legs, wide hips, big chest) you can search for that specifically and get ideas on how other people dress the same kind of body you have. Great call on this one CheapJap, I am really enjoying the site!
I’m on chictopia, and I’ve been a member for well over a year. I’ve had the same thoughts as you about the site for a while too. I’m glad someone has the guts to say something! I don’t think I’ve ever been in the style gallery either.
Although I know it’s unfair, I guess they are just trying to keep a fashionable image by being selective of what goes to the style gallery. They are giving it’s users what it they want, not everyone can have the spotlight. It’s tough to compete against style icons & stick thin girls who are probably already models or in the fashion business in one form or another. However, it’s like that in everything in life, sort of a popularity contest (sad, I know).
@Shiny: For people who don’t want to think out their outfits or carry their camera around so they can have a friend do them a favor and snap some shoots on the go… or however you intend on doing it – then it’s not for you. It’s a hobby, and like anything else it requires a bit of dedication but at the same time – it’s just for fun. But even those who don’t post get a lot out of the community, so I believe you made a valid point as well.