We’re Strongly Considering Launching a Forum
Above photo from JoelK75
Note: This post was co-written by our tech correspondent / resident interwebs guru Paul, and Joe the editor director guy who writes most of the posts. Joe’s words are in Italics and each are labeled as such.
Paul: Forums in Aristotle’s time had marble columns, sexy maidens, and intelligent conversation. Forums on the internet are filled with clunky interfaces, men posing as maidens, and pointless drivel. Can we reverse the trend? We’d like to try.
Joe: Try. The key word. Especially with that whole men posing as maidens thing.
Paul: At this point, it’s becoming difficult to ignore the requests. People want MORE Dappered content. They want answers to their style questions, they want to share tips on sales, and they want more engagement with other Dappered readers. Readers have asked about a discussion board or forum site for months. We’ve just been too buried to respond.
Joe: Unless you consider responding as us saying: “We’re thinkin’ about it.” And then doing nothing. Till now.
Paul: But that changes this week. We think it’s something we can do, and we’d like your feedback along the way. We’ve got two big questions at this point:
- Is this honestly a good idea / would you actually USE it?
- What do we call it?
Joe: Full disclosure – I’ve never actually used a forum or message board. Not even this one. Not once. So I’ve got zero experience. All I know is that some of you guys have asked. And we’re exploring it seriously now.
Paul: So far, we think it’s a good idea … and we don’t know what to name it. It seems like Esquire always has a great name for its sections, and dammit, we want one too.
Joe: Well they are Esquire, which oddly doesn’t have a forum. Or even allow comments on their website.
Paul: Let us know what you think in the comments.
Joe: Yes. The comments. Which is kinda like a mini forum!
1. Yes, and yes.
2. The forum is going to be a place where we talk/debate about style-related topics and otherwise chew the fat. I think the name should reflect a real place where types like us would meet to do these things — an upscale bar perhaps. But that’s just my thirty-two cents.
1. Absolutely! And I would actively use it (especially after January because I could contribute and review my purchases).
2. What’s wrong with Dappered Forums? Looking for something more creative? You should capitalize on the word “Dappered” since its been branded well so far.
If you build it they (we) will come. It’s a great idea. As far as the name, I agree with Tarun, keep the Dappered name. You don’t need a fancy name to make a great forum…that’s done by the content, I believe the quality folks of the dappered community will step up and make it a place of real value.
You can also integrate the blog in the forum (or they other way around). People who would visit only one of them can still interact.
Dappered.com/forums. Do it. Do it.
I’d definitely check out the forums. However, the reason I came to the site was for the content and articles. So please, don’t launch a forum if it will take away from the content at all.
I like the idea of keeping the “Dappered” name-sake as well, but we can do a little better than just sticking the word ‘forums’ on the end of it. How about “Dappered Discussions”? (Who doesn’t love a little alliteration)
1. Yes
2. I like Tess’s idea of an upscale bar, at least that kind of feeling. I am assuming this forum setup would require us to create an account? If so, you could hit on the “club” theme. “The Dappered Lounge” etc.
It’s a good idea so long as we stick to the topic of affordable styles. (I mean, have you ever visited styleforum.net? An embarassment.)
I almost wonder if a Wiki would be better, one that allows discussions as well. Just a thought.
Aside from that, I think it’s a good idea. It just needs to have moderators that have Joe’s same sense for the community. If we could keep it away from the styleforum.net mentality, I would definitely use it. I’ve looked at styleforum.net before but have never posted because I don’t really relish being berated for some random sartorial reason.
One recommendation is to use one of the few very good forums already out there, don’t try to get someone to create a custom or use some no-name one, as some small sites try to do. VBulletin is a pleasure to use and isn’t overcome with unnecessary “flash” like phpBB, but phpBB is also a great piece of customizable software. VBulletin is not free, while phpBB is and is open source so you get tons of community contributions in the form of plugins and themes. I’ve also had experience with SMF, but not in the last few years. I don’t know how it has evolved since that time. Just a note, my experience is webmaster related, as well as user-side related.
If you create a forum it would be a good idea to limit the # of subsections at first until you get a good base of posters.
As long as the articles don’t get neglected, it’s a good idea. You can call it The Dappered Pub or actually give it an upscale pub-like name like The Primrose.
great idea!
I would love to see this!
As it is, I’m member of a couple of wet shaving forums (yes, I’m that big of a shave geek). Forum A is the biggest on the web. It has the most comprehensive information available. It also has the greatest amount of jerks who talk down to new guys with an arrogance that would turn almost anyone off the subject.
Forum B is much smaller, filled with more guys sticking with the affordable gear, still full of a ton of great info, and one of the best online communities out there. This is the one I frequent.
I would love to see The Dappered Forum become Forum B to styleforum.net’s Forum A.
Confused?
A good example of this is how Ryan does things over at http://www.gearjournal.com.
I would definitely appreciate having a forum in parallel to this site. There are many, many times when I would like to post a question not too related to the post of the day. I would email Joe, directly, but seeing as he posts several times a day, hunts for deals to share with us, and maintains the site (with help), I am often hesitant. Plus, it is nice to get input from several others.
I do, however, share the same fears as most of the others have expressed – becoming another styleforum.net. So far, with the current format of “post-then-discuss”, there hasn’t been but a few instances where a troll has stomped. A team of good, like-minded moderators would be needed for a forum, for sure.
At first, I wanted the name to be simple and to the point, a la “The Dappered Forum”. But, I have to put in another vote to “The Dappered Lounge” as it just sounds so much more laid back and inviting!
I have to agree. Too any subsections with too few people will feel like a 4 person family living in a 40 bedroom mansion.
@John D Sherrill That’s a great way to put it.
I think a Dappered.com forum would be a great addition to this site. I’ve only recently discovered Dappered.com, but in that short time I’ve become a huge fan. I’ve been a member of Ask Andy and Styleforum for years; however, in my opinion and as other commenters have stated, they have some faults:
1.) Many of the posters are blow-hard, condescending, sartorial assholes (esp Styleforum), and
2.) They tend to focus on really high-end and expensive clothing
Don’t get me wrong, I love mild trash talking and I love high-end clothing, but the level that those forums take it to has become pretty obnoxious and frankly unbearable. Moreover, while I do buy some really nice high-end stuff sometimes (mainly shoes and suits), much of my attire is composed of more affordable stuff. I think this is where a Dappered.com forum would fit in nicely: Affordable, timeless style without all the snark and pissing contests.
Hmm, it appears that I’m the only one who has zero interest in a Dappered forum…
Not sure how much a forum would enhance the Dappered experience. The comment section on this site is one of the few bastions of civility on the internet, and I’d hate to see that overshadowed by the toxic swill and troll rage characteristic of so many web forums.
That being said, how about “Off the Cuff” or “Suit yourself” or something equally hilarious and sartorially apt.
Since the atmosphere here is a lot less hostile than StyleForum, I’m pretty sure it’ll work out well. Go for it.
There certainly is a little bit of apprehension for a forum in my mind since forums, no matter what kind, seem to attract trolls and other scum like cocaine attracts Charlie Sheen to “winning”. However, since we Dappered readers are the vanguard of civilized online discussion (and humble to boot), I think we can collective police the boards and get any trolls out quickly, thus keeping the boards manageable. We could use upvotes and other such methods of merit to limit trolling as well.
BTW great names, worth a good chuckle at least.
Absolutely. Get the same attitude as the watchuseek.com forum discussions, which are very friendly and easy to jump into, and you’ve got a winning formula.
Please, please add a forum. Been waiting for you guys to add it for a while.
I think this is the perfect community in which a forum setting could be established. In this small corner of the internet there doesn’t seem to be any of the negativity normally associated with message boards, which makes me think that a lot of good could come of a forum here.
Besides, it opens up a whole new wealth of information from the other readers of this website, many of whom are willing and eager to help with any sartorial quandaries that others might be having.
…..so, yes.
I would love the idea of a forum, I practically live on forums all day. The only thing I would like see is a good team of moderators. This site is a very calm, relaxed site and if a forum is to be added, it should stay that way. I do agree theat styleforum is filled with asses, that is where a good moderator team comes into play. If any anytime a post gets out of hand or “attacks” a user, it should be locked and/or the “attacker” should be reprimanded; no exceptions, otherwise it’ll eventually end up like styleforum.
1. Yes, but I agree with Butch Z, try and keep the content affordable based.
2. Dappered Board is good enough for a name.
I’ve never looked at or written on a forum, but if ever there was a forum I participated in I imagine it would be on Dappered. Perhaps it could be called Posh Postings?
YES YES Give us a place to debate and show off our personal style
Dappered.com works well the way it is… you post a topic and we are allowed to comment. everything is succinct and relevant. with a forum, you would need to employ others to serve as moderators and constantly police it for idiots and spam. more work and it just takes your site out of focus. I agree with the “4 people in a 40 room mansion” comment.
I don’t think I would go in if I wasn’t directed there in an article. If you used the forums in the article, then I think that would be cool. As of now, I go into the comments if I’m interested in what the other readers are saying.
i like that the comments here are almost all positive and helpful, so it gives me hope that a forum wouldn’t be nasty. definately worth a shot. at worst it is a failed experiment. at best it will really enhance the site for us dappered regulars i say go for it!
There needs to be an alternative to style forum for normal people. Eventually someone will do it, why not have it be dappered. I check this site every morning, and if they were available I would check them too,
Some threads I think we would see pretty early:
Post your best outfit for under $200 (pics or stfu).
Look at this inexpensive item that I got tailored and now looks the bomb.
What is an affordable alternative to x item?
And please, where the hell do I get a cool brown briefcase with shoulder strap for <$100?
Great idea… how about “Needle and Threads”
yes please! i’m sick and tired of styleforumites telling me that alfani suits are cr*p and that indochino suits are not fully fused and then recommend a $5000 suit made from horsehair-cashmere blend spun in an authentic Scottish mill and sewn by a man playing bagpipes or something – just because “it’s better value”.
Dappered Forums would be an awesome name! Could be strictly style-related to start with but i see it turning into a full-fledged forum if there are enough people =)
Bare with me, long post!
For everyone that is hesitant about Dappered forums becoming the next Style Forums (or something close to it), I offer a solution:
Memberships must be approved prior to being able to post.
This has the following advantages:
1) Those that are clearly out to troll will have less incentive to register, wait for a confirmation (make it at least 2 days long), and then remember why/what they wanted to troll about anyways.
2) This ensures that those used to the content and atmosphere of discussion here at Dappered will be motivated to wait the 2-3 days in order to be a part of the forums.
3) Users still get to read the forums, even if they don’t register. This will allow lurkers (you’d be surprised how long people read content before they feel involved enough to want to actively participate) to view content a-la-daperred, without trollers. This will continue to spread the content and community-friendly people of Dappered and allow more people to discover this site.
The only downside is that some of you may not want to wait the few days, simply because you’re not used seeing this strategy on other forums. Let me assure you that the dappered equivalent of the gymnastic/fitness world http://www.gymnasticbodies.com uses this system, and I have never met such well-mannered helpful individuals willing to contribute and help out beginners or experts. Compare this with http://www.bodybuilding.com, and you’ll feel like your at styleforums again.
IMO, the system works wonders, if you’ll embrace it.
I think Dappered needs to make a forum for the same reasons everyone else has already said — styleforum is very pretentious and high budget (i.e. people trying to justify to themselves and their e-friends why they just bought another pair of $500 jeans) and the commenters on this site have proven to be delightful, helpful people. I’m imagining a low budget, low attitude version of Styleforum.*
I think the forums should be heavily moderated and I like the idea of membership being approved. Maybe the rule should be that you have to post something like five helpful / constructive comments on the blog before being approved to post in the forum.
Also, try to find a modern, HTML 5, iPhone-ready, snazzy as all hell forum software. phpBB smells like 1995, with way too many useless buttons and features clogging up every page. If the setting is classy, the guests will act classy.
*Note — I am not trying to bash SF — I think it fulfills a very useful and interesting role in the menswear world and I have learned lots from various threads on that board. It’s just as a grad student heading into a medium income career, I find most of that site utterly useless.
Why not just call it “Dappered Threads”? It’s to the point, and just punny enough
Hardly ‘an embarassment’, whatever that means. It merely fits a different niche. In fact, the MC subforum prides itself on never paying full retail price and an overwhelming majority dabble vintage, thrifted items. Try lurking moar before you dismiss something you don’t know.
Great suggestion, Joolander!
Call it the “Dappered Collective”
Y’know… I think that might be the winner…