The Taste Divide

Much of what has concerned posts on this blog, has been about how we can understand fashionable taste and processes of taste transformation. This area is characterized by subjectivity and individuality – our taste is personal, created through a delicate mix of our internal dispositions and perspectives combined with various external provocations.

As an avid observer of fashionable taste, both collective and individual, I am sensitive to subtle nuances and tiny details that can often make all the difference in matters of taste. However, taste is also expressed in bolder, more obvious ways, underscored by passionate opinions on certain objects or ideas.

Image: Before and After no.3, Andy Warhol (1962)

In my pursuit of understanding fashionable taste and its formation better, I am adjusting my gaze slightly to focus on fashion items that polarise taste. These are the type of fashion garments that elicit either eye-rolling and groaning, or an enthusiastic invitation to ‘show me, show me.’ Nods of approval, or ‘turning one’s nose up’ at the mention of certain garments demonstrates that fashionable taste divides us. These fashion items provoke us to express something about own tastes, to begin to articulate the what, why and how – and that’s precisely why I’m interested.

I have begun a list of ‘fashion objects that polarize taste’ and at the top are ugg boots (I can already feel that statement has alienated some readers). Bear with me and try to see beyond the humble sheepskin boot, because it is actually the account of one’s taste that these objects elicit that’s the really interesting part here. Other things that have made it onto this list are track suits and crocs…yeah, it’s a tough job but someone needs to investigate these things.