Johnny Weir Fashion

In a letter to the editor in the current edition of TV Guide, a viewer wrote "Johnny Weir and his outfits were way, way overboard and an insult to most of my friends.... Whoever allowed his outfits and hair should be placed on a dog-grooming show or fired...."

Let me first point out that Johnny Weir is an adult; he is a 33 year old adult from a small town in conservative Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He is a two-time Olympian; he took the gold in the U.S. 2004 championships; he is a published author; he has designed costumes for ice skaters; he designs some of his own outfits.

I agree that Johnny's sense of fashion is not main stream, and that most people would not choose to imitate his style. But that does not mean that I, or anyone else, has a reason to be insulted by his choices. He is a public person, you can choose to watch him or not, you can like the way he presents himself or not.

NBC hired the commentating team of Tara and Johnny. They hired them because they are very good commentators, and very popular ones. Did NBC expect controversy? They certainly knew how Johnny dresses. There certainly was not a dress code or hair cut provision in his contract. Again, Johnny is an adult. Why would there by someone who "allows" his outfit and hair? He is capable of making his own choices, and the only one who must approve or “allow” the way he presents himself is himself. The only insult I can see is the writer’s choice to draw a parallel between Johnny and a dog.

Once upon a time, a man wearing pink would have perhaps been scandalous, but is now quite main stream. Johnny’s outfits may have brought the excesses of the fictional Panem to life, but that is his choice and his right. His look may never become main stream, but I applaud his individuality and his bravery in choosing to present himself to the world on his own terms.