Cintra Wilson's "Critical Shopper": Too Critical?

Cintra Wilson's recent entry to her New York Times "Critical Shopper" column seems to have set the World Wide Fashion Web afire. I've been a fan of hers since her Salon.com days and have found her work to be clever, stylish, and spot-on. Consequently, I was thrown by what read as a classist and body-fascist piece.

I like to think of myself as the type of guy that is willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt before lunging fangs first into their hide (though I knew a few people would who disagree). Such has not been the case with the blogosphere. Wilson's piece has drawn the ire/mockery of New York Magazine, the Houston Press, the Consumerist, and Jezebel, among others.

Having looked at it again, her issue seemed to have more to do with the kowtowing of major fashion houses to the mass market and the dilution of inviduality in fashion--and less with its plus sizing. The opening of the JC Penney store in Midtown was emblematic of said forms of fashion condescension and identity dilution. Unfortunately, the cracks about the sizing outshone what I felt were her commentary's true aims.

She posted a backhanded apology via her blog (at 6:01 p.m.), which was later replaced (at 6:51 p.m.). That, too, has since been replaced (at 8:23 p.m.). Here's hoping it helps, though I fear the damage may have already been done. Only time will tell.