Due to the Occupy movement and the nationwide protests taking place (of which Jen and I are proud participants), I’ve been thinking a lot about my job not just as a “fashion blogger,” but as a fashion blogger who – by definition – looks for the cheapest way to get gorgeous clothes and how that fits into the things that the Occupy movement stands for. Am I a hypocrite? Am I contributing to the very thing I’m protesting against?

I read a ton (a ton) of budget fashion blogs, most of which I totally and unabashedly adore. That being said, I often come across posts that feature perfect-for-the-niche articles about the latest “[Designer] For Target” collection, or the newest, adorable dress from Forever 21, or where to get the latest Prada knockoffs and I feel a pang of discomfort.

Why?

Because I can’t post about them. I can’t won’t post about Target, Forever21, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie or feature a knockoff designer shoe as a plausible option for purchasing. My ethics are too deeply-rooted.

Forever21 uses sweatshop labor and is a frequent design thief, using their company size to bully everyone from indie designers to bloggers.

Target is two-faced about their support of gay/civil rights.

Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People are part of a company who donates money to anti-gay Rick Santorum – my mortal nemesis.

Unfortunately, the list goes on…

While I’ve been on the fence about knockoffs for the last three years, I am defining my position on it, and refuse to post about direct, less-than-30%-difference knockoffs because I know too much about the replica industry and the condition under which these knockoffs are made.

So seeing this great, definitely budget fashion content makes me, honestly… a little nervous. We haven’t branded Broke & Beautiful as any kind of ethical budget fashion blog, but being that, well, I created it and I have these values… that means that some of the most appealing, applicable budget fashion content will never see the light of day on Broke & Beautiful.

Will we/have we lost readers because of our “lack of current news” in the field of accessible fashion? Probably. And who knows – this post might make us lose a few more! But, you know… That’s something that I think I need to be okay with.

I coax myself into comfort by dreaming that there are other people out there like Jen and me who don’t want to support these icky industry tactics, but still want accessible, beautiful fashion. We like to believe that there are socially-aware, thrifty guys and gals who pride themselves on supporting causes that benefit the economy, the human condition, and the customers who buy their products. There has to be… Right? …Right?

This site will never be Awakened Aesthetic, whose moral, ethical, social and environmental positions on fashion & design thwart Broke & Beautiful’s well-intended political and social stances, but I do get pangs of heartbreak whenever I think about what you, the readers – our beautiful community – are getting elsewhere that you wish you could get here. The cheaper-than-cheap fashion options and high-style replicas of French designer shoes…

We just can’t back that up.

Five years ago (!!), I created Broke & Beautiful to help people find the beauty that exists in runway and high-fashion at a price that wouldn’t attach them to a status, class, or collection agency. If you start at the very beginning – from the very first post, you will see things from Forever 21 and Target. You will see things from Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. This blog is not only a record of my love of fashion, and it’s not just a history of my belief that beautiful style can be achieved at any budget….

It’s also a running record of my awareness, personal growth and devotion to fashion through ethics.

And when I look at it that way, it isn’t so bad. A “blog” is a “web log” after all, right?

I’d love to know how you feel about Broke & Beautiful’s choice to omit these unethical companies from our shopping suggestions.

Do you wish that we had more of an open position on these budget fashion megastores? Or do you [maybe, hopefully, pretty please?] value the idea that the options that B&B shows you are socially conscious as well as budget-friendly?

My apologies for the non-shoe-inclusion in this wall-o-text… It’s just been wearing on me lately, and I’m dying for your perspective.

xo,

Lindsay

You know. Because “stiletto nails” are something I could type with. Or do anything with.

Huh?

Don’t they?

They’re called “Flannel,” which is obvious, but Basset…that’s just truth.

Flannel Basset Hounds.

Yep.

And then they tell me that this – this – is trending:

Derek Lam Stacked Wedge Platform Pumps

No.

No, just no.

NJN.

These are part of the flat platform trend, or as some Neanderthal said – no doubt while eating paste – flatforms. Lindsay and I think that they are, by and large, ugly. This may be because we both owned them in the nineties, and the ones we owned may have been the foam flip flop version.

I’m just saying, we have experience. Trust us.

Or don’t. Just know that the shoes below are the best I could find, the ones I felt were least repulsive out of my short, painful flatform shoe hunt.

I did it all for you.

Tory Burch Ellen Wedge Sandals

That’s a two-inch height difference, and the highest I’ll go in terms of these heels. Key word: flat. These almost didn’t make the cut. Notice their relative cuteness compared to, shall we say…

Michael Kors Crocodile Effect Leather Platform Sandals

…these. Designers, I would submit that if the name of your shoe is bigger than the heel-to-platform ratio, you’re doing it wrong. Simple math.

Chloe Leather and Canvas Platform Espadrilles

While I like the idea of these, the execution leaves a LOT to be desired. Imagine wearing them. Imagine your poor arches.

Juicy Couture Dragon Wedge

Imagine your feet, again. Imagine the splayed toes. Even the word sounds gross. Splayed.

Moschino Leather Wedge Slingback Sandals

I feel like it’s sticking its tongue out at me.

Belle Sigurson Morrison Wooden Wedge Sandals

I think the shape of these is a little better, but they’re still not doing it for me. The best of the bunch? Never mind: the straps are elastic, and do I see velcro? All bets are officially off.

This is what I’ll be wearing instead of flatforms:

Miu Miu Washed Cocoa Leather Wedge Espadrilles

How amazing are these? They have a 2 1/4 inch heel, which means my ankles will thank me while my foot aesthetic remains unchallenged. (Confidential to Miu Miu: that “the name of your shoe is way too long” thing still applies.)

Derek Lam Washed Cocoa Leather Wedges

Another gorgeous pair. These only have a two-inch heel, so they do fit into my definition of flatforms, but they also have a toe-confining…apparatus…and a t-strap. And I need everything t-strap.

Will you wear flatforms this summer? Why or why not?

Right now, I’m kitty-sitting. My Dad has shed his hard, rough, I Hate The Small And Furry shell and become a father yet again to two gigantic kittens cats. I have been summoned to watch them play, cuddle with them, and live in their house while my parents escape the impending snowstorm and charter a boat in Cabo. I do not want to talk about it.

Realizing that I was house-sitting, as well as kitty-sitting, I came to a shocking fact: I would have cable – BIG 5 Million Channels Cable – television at my disposal. Prepared to put my Netflix-Through-Xbox addiction aside, I admit I was excited. I arrived to the house this morning, put my stuff down, and, still running off the high of “Fashion Month”, decided to jump to the Style Network (for the first time, I might add) to see if there was anything interesting.

I know that everyone has their own interpretation of “style” – that’s what this blog is all about: defining your style through your life experiences. So naturally, when you call something being given to the public “The Style Network”, interpretations are going to vary. All we know is that it has something to do with attitude, aesthetics, and… let’s be honest: clothes. Yes? Ok. I couldn’t find a mission statement on Style Network’s site, so we’ll just have to go with whatever I say. AKA How it usually works.

Surely, though, if you’re appointed an executive position at parent company, E! Entertainment… AHEM, NBCUniversal, you know that appealing to many subsets of a niche is going to maximize your chances for success. Totally get that – awesome. That being said, I’d like to direct your attention to the show list, as seen on Style Network.

Clean House

Clean House is hosted by Niecy Nash, who I love unabashedly forever due to Raineesha Williams. Hoarder-type houses are raided by Niecy Nash and her whip-quick team of clean, white, southern people and – from what I can see – scoff at huge messes, tackle on emotional problem, and inevitably bring up the idea that, with a clean house, you will have more sex. House is cleaned, host returns (as a “surprise“) in a number of months, and gifts the “contestant” with dinner & a show, or something comparable.

FYI: This is the only programming on the Style Network today. THE. ONLY. 6am to 2am. Clean House.

Super Nanny

It’s clear why this program was included in Style Network’s scheduling. Obvious. I mean… Super Nanny? What about that doesn’t say “style”?…

Jerseylicious

Ahhh, Jerseylicious. Sadly, this is the most style-oriented show in the lineup. A couple brazen Jersey girls work in a dress shop and hold discourse with one another in exciting, high energy, … assertive ways. But they also sell/talk about/show dresses! Just look at that cast. Style.

How Do I Look?

This has been on forever. Big fancy stylist comes in, tells your friends to throw your clothes away, then you get to be told how to dress “with your own style mixed in.” Please see: formulaic. This is nice because you get to see clothes, and hear a stylists opinion (& painful television presence, typically) on ~*dressing for your figure*~, but is otherwise boring.

Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane

Can we just skip this one? Please?

Fashion Police

If this is the Fashion Police hosted by Joan Rivers with Kelly Osbourne and some other folks – I can get down with this. I like seeing the red carpet/celebrity photos/videos, I can’t deny it. I love seeing runway gowns make it to award shows & on the bodies of faces I recognize. Joan Rivers – she’s horrible, but she’s hilarious, and I could stare at Kelly Osbourne for a few hours, easy.

The Dish

Ohhh, Topanga. You were the first girl on TV to teach me what a privileged white feminist looks like. Now you have a show that is basically a rip-off of The Soup, but much less hilarious. I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.

Then there are a bunch of reality shows about “beauty” (i.e. Whose Wedding is it Anyway?, Dr. 90210, Ruby) and a slough of makeover shows (i.e. Style Her Famous [look like your favorite celebrity], Dress My Nest, Peter Perfect [someone makes over... businesses?]), there’s… not really anything fashion- or style-related. See also My Super Sweet Sixteen. Why? I don’t know.

I think that there is a maaaaaaajor opportunity being missed here. We are in the thick of fashion week – and digital information is so prevalent and available – why is it not being utilized to create amazing content for this Style-focused network? I mean, honestly… E! has more fashion content than Style Network. Mostly celebrity style but that’s better than Kimora Lee Simmons, am i right?

If I Were CEO of Style.com for One Week…

Particularly last week… Wouldn’t it make sense to show:

• NYFW, LFW, PFW, MFW coverage, including video footage of the actual shows, interviews with the designers (if NBC’s mini-stations can do it, why can’t they send their STYLE NETWORK? They cover it on their blog.)
• Inside The Actor’s Studio-style presentations with designers, stylists, muses, models, bloggers, store owners, buyers… The potential is infinite!
• Emerging designer features, crafting/DIY programming, etc. Exposure for new talent!
• News! Freaking news! WWD has been in business with daily “newspapers” for how long? You can’t come up with a little 30 minute news program with the latest in fashion, style & beauty? Honestly.

Why do I care about TV so much? Because! I am constantly told that my field of work (fashion) is silly. It’s cute. Ridiculous. Or, God help us, “fun.” The assertion that fashion is not important in any way, shape or form is constantly impressed upon me when I talk about my job(s).

“Oh, that’s a fun job! AND you work from home? What a super great easy fun happy wonderful frivolous not-that-important life for you!”

Sigh. Why do people jump to this “That’s easy!” conclusion about fashion news/writing? Do you think it might be because the things attached to the word “Style” are things like [overheard this morning] “These are, like, the best boots for spring because it’s a 2-for-1 Trend Buy! You get in on the fur trend with the shaft of the boot, and the wedge trend with this great wedge! Also? The fur’s volume makes your legs look super skinny, which we all want, am I right?” Shortly followed by a commercial for Topanga on The Dish trying to be witty, and making this face:

So pretty much… I’d love a network that fashion professionals could actually watch without putting their head into their hands and wondering what the hell they’re working for. Style.com, Vogue.com, the bajillion blogs I follow – yes, those are adequate, and I love that blogging is turning into a respected media source, but that doesn’t mean that television – the most viewed information source in the home – should be forgotten? Filled with garbage that’s supposed to be representing an entire industry or thriving artists?

Don’t get me wrong, I “get” that they’re appealing to a demographic of somewhat-stylish, stay-at-home folk who want a break from the serious stuff for a minute… But it’s really doing a disservice to the industry as a whole.

I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Tell me what you think in the comments – also…

Tell me what you would put on the Style Network if you were head of productions for a week!