I wish I could take the internet less seriously sometimes...

Today I was looking through pictures on go fug yourself, and I got unnecessarily frustrated. It's my own fault for having their site in my bookmarks, I know. But their notion of fashion and style is so BORRRRRRRING that perfectly cute outfits get trashed for no good reason.

Exhibit A: Mandy Moore

TOTALLY CUTE! It's like a toned down Joanna Newsom without the annoying voice.

Exhibit B: Jennifer Connelly

Totally cute! I have a soft spot for Jennifer Connelly. I think she (or her stylist) is willing and interested when it comes to fashion (e.g., wearing Balenciaga years before Ghesquiere had gone supernova), and she's always getting flack for it. I got your back, sister!

Exhibit C: Jena Malone

Totally cute! A perfect example of fall's layering look.

Yes, I should look at it as humor. God knows the world of fashion is so self-referential and humorless that a good slap in the face is merited from time to time. In reality, the Fuggles probably just look for photos with obvious punchlines, regardless of the merit of the outfits. It makes their job easier, it makes people laugh, and it gets them guest spots in the back pages of Us Weekly.

But what worries me about this, and any popular blog for that matter, is the implicit authority it asserts. It's snarky, and it involves celebrities, so it doesn't surprise me that it's popular. But with that popularity comes a (false) impression of authenticity and knowledge. Judging fashion is not an absolute science by any means, but pointing and laughing anytime someone dares to stand out is not only a poor method of critique, but it reminds me of being in high school. The only difference is that, this time, the popular people are the ones that had no chance of sleeping with the football team.

Like I said, I need to get over it.