The Unofficial Dappered Commenting Policy
Originally published 1/30/2011
Write only what you’d say to that person’s face. Maybe at 1:00 am in a dive bar. That’s always been the unofficial, and until now unspoken comments policy here on this tiny corner of the internet. Some sites (see Esquire.com) don’t even allow their users to express their instant opinions. And I get that. There’s too many people out there just trying to get a rise out of someone else. So they leave inflammatory, extreme opinions that for whatever reason make the anonymous person writing that comment feel a little more powerful. But that almost never happens here.
And for that, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who stops by this website.
After wrapping up our Made in the USA jeans giveaway, Todd Shelton wrote what you see above in an email. It’s the word “civil” that stands out the most to me. Whether you’re a regular participant in the comments section, or you’ve never hammered out a response to a post on the internet in your life… know that you’ve helped make this .com a bit different than most. Thank you.
– Joe
A very astute observation of a very rare occurrence on the Internet. In these days of Internet trolling, this place is definitely a pleasant change from the anon crowd.
It’s true that this site’s comment sections are a lot more civil than most, and like Joe said, thanks to every other poster (regular or not) that keeps it that way.
But in all honesty, on an affordable men’s style site, called “Dappered” nonetheless, it doesn’t surprise me that the posters are civil. The affordable aspect shows we’re not snobs, and the dapper-ness gives way to a more gentlemanly worldview.
Respect and concision–for some reason–are just part of the “attitude” aspect of our style. It seems that our biggest objections to styles of people who wear brands like Affliction and Ed Hardy isn’t necessarily the fashion of those brands themselves, but the attitudes and styles of the people who wear them — obnoxious and obscene. I think our style also means we like to consider ourselves gentlemen (but as another post on this site noted, being a gentlemen sort of prohibits that self-label).
Regardless, I think we’ve proved that we can, and do, act gentlemanly.
Congrats Joe, you’ve done a phenomenal job at orchestrating a well run site. And allowing great feedback from your followers has been a great aspect of Dappered. I’ve gathered plenty of useful info from the comments section along with the posts. Being a man of affordable discerning taste, Dappered is a must daily read.
Seconding the congratulations, Joe. Useful and civil comments make a site much more enjoyable than the brain-rotting garbage polluting most sites. I thank you for curating that, and thank the fellow commenters for providing differing viewpoints, additional coupon codes, and the like. Agree that Dappered is a daily must-read and I click through all your referral links so you can continue creating top-notch free content.
tess, great comment 🙂
I have to agree with everyone above, and also pass on my congrats, Joe. You’ve pulled off something amazing with Dappered, and it may well be in part due to what tess suggests! Whatever the reason, keep it up, as always.
Cheers,
Ben
Glad to say this is one of a very small number of sites where I enjoy reading the comment section as they are always constructive, relevant, in good taste, and supplement the main article. Cheers to all.
What a happy coincidence it was that I ran across this website at some point last November. I agree with the consensus that both the content and comments on this site are great: I check every morning, usually before I pick up a newspaper. I’ve transformed my closet on the most manageable of budgets solely because of Dappered. Moreover, I feel empowered to look better. Keep up the solid work Joe, you touch a lot of people’s lives in ways you may never understand.
PS, I have been checking for one of those Alfani red checkered shirts that you recommended in an earlier post, and I actually found one in my oddball size (16.5/ 36-37) this weekend. You may have created a monster…
Well done Joe, I’ve received many good style pointers from both the articles and from the comments.
Looks like it’s thanks all around then. All of it is sincerely appreciate on this end. Glad as hell that you guys enjoy the site! We have a blast putting it together. Thanks again…
P.S. How did this turn into you guys thanking me??? You’re the one’s that keep the comments section on the up and up. All the best. Back to our regularly scheduled programming…
Thanks for giving comment-worthy content every day, Joe. Dappered has been my home page for months and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
A bi-product of hosting a site for dressing like a gentleman, no doubt.
I think this site attracts a different breed of male. One who wants to carry a sense of style and buck trends. A man who appreciates his clothes and, more than likely, himself. When you attract men who appreciate themselves, you’ll often find they reflect reflect their appreciation toward like-minded individuals like yourselves.
Even when it’s anonymous, a decent person can’t help but let their personality shine through. This is a perfect forum for decent individuals.
I totally agree it has to do with the maturity of the audience.
The alias I use on this site has been the same one I used to converse with video game enthusiasts when I ran my pool hall. The part that always sucked was getting caught in constant flame wars by people that used the anonymity of the forum as a medium for slander.
Its very refreshing to see that when disagreements occur here, that there is still some civility. I know I don’t always agree with what Joe puts out there, but you hardly ever see someone that replies: “You *&^%@ suck!, You can’t dress worth &%@!”
It could be simply maturity of the audience, but then again…it could be a bit of that “lightning in a bottle” formula; right place, right time.
The reason I read this blog is that although it is still blatantly consumerist and materialistic, at the very least it spins it in one of the most utilitarian ways I’ve seen on the internet. It simply provides guide to ostensibly stylish and good deals, with minimum branding ridiculousness. It is the total opposite of styleforum.net, with its stupid obsession with “authenticity” and “high end”.
I don’t know… I’ve seen some pretty dumb/ignorant/thoughtless comments pop up over at ArtofManliness.com, and they’re a website tailored to “gentlemen” as well.
I believe true style certainly includes behaviour and decorum, maybe this post is a good example of that. Fashion doesn’t end at the clothes IMO. A poorly dressed gentleman will have more style than a well dressed man with no manners.
It seems that I stumbled across this site at a perfect time, some 6 or so months ago, and I check it every day. I have upgraded my wardrobe from new blazers down to my new favorite Allen Edmonds McAllister Wingtips. I found great canvas suit bags and hangers to protect and preserve my suits and blazers, and although I have yet to accessorize with pocket squares etc. I am now more confident in my own style through the reliable fashion parameters that this site provides. I have always had my own style (which I am very proud of), but this site makes me look sharp in my own style.
Don’t change a thing buddy.
not gonna beat this dead horse…PROPS!!!