SANDOVAL: NYT Columnist Declares War On Camo For Completely Deranged Reason

The average New York Times (NYT) reader has concerns which a million monkeys with a million typewriters wouldn’t come up with given a million years. 

“Is camouflage still acceptable to wear?” asks Hope from Scottsdale, Arizona, of NYT’s fashion columnist, Vanessa Friedman. “There is so much of it around in fashion, but given all the wars being waged around the world, I wonder if it will become taboo?” (RELATED: Cultural Shift No One Is Talking About Perfectly Explains Why Democrats Are Bleeding Voters)

Never underestimate the neuroticism – or navel-gazing ability – of a liberal. Allow me to rephrase Hope’s question: “Given all the wars being waged around the world, how can I make this about me?”

Friedman offers sage wisdom.

“The last time I received a similar query was in 2021, just after the Capitol insurrection, when a number of people in the mob were wearing camo gear and other costumes. At the time I suggested to the reader that camo was OK as long as it was clearly a fashion item and didn’t look like a uniform.”

What a privilege to spend the day @NavalAcademy and speak with Vice Adm. Yvette Davids on the future of our warfighting leaders! pic.twitter.com/oO6XVGp3d7

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) April 1, 2025

Phew. Don’t throw out those camo pants just yet, reader.

“Today, however, I am changing my advice.”

Scratch that. Friedman, like a high priest of the legacy media’s ecumenical council, has declared a new fashion sin. She cites an email from a military veteran who feels that civilians wearing camo is “akin to stolen valor.” I feel fairly confident in saying that no reasonable person would mistake a 19-year-old girl in camouflage booty shorts for a grizzled Vietnam War vet. 

Friedman’s justifications continue.

“And it is because, given the heated and chaotic situation on the streets of the United States, with ICE agents conducting raids, protests spreading and the military parade in Washington drawing thousands of soldiers to the Capitol in full battle dress — as well as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East — wearing camouflage as a fashion statement seems like an increasingly tone-deaf and potentially dangerous choice,” she wrote.

Perhaps Friedman should instead issue warnings to her readers about wearing sombreros or sporting comically large mustaches, lest they be mistaken for a Tom-and-Jerry-style illegal migrant. That’s the degree of hysteria she appears to be enjoying. Friedman warns that camo may be “perceived by someone else as a provocation.” Many readers agree. (RELATED: Legacy Media Turns On Waterworks For Another Criminal Migrant)

🚨 The New York Times’ latest fashion foray: how to wear a well fitting dress without accidentally signaling your allegiance to MAGA.

READ 👇 @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/PB013B3pHj

— Natalie Sandoval (@NatalieIrene03) May 13, 2025

“Since my teen years oh so long ago, I’ve never worn camouflage and recoil when I see it on others,” Nina commented. “It’s not a fashion statement; it’s a symbol of war and aggression, things that should never be glorified.”

Another claims she avoids the print because it “subconsciously signals to others that I condone violence, war, hyper-masculinity, the MIC, etc — all of which I find quite problematic.”

Still, not all readers are convinced by Friedman’s expert opinion.

“Wear what you want, people,” says one commenter. 

“We’re really in the soup if this is the sort of thing people are thinking about,” writes another. 

Poor Friedman. After problematizing cross necklaces and sheath dresses, she appears to have run out of targets. Expect all manner of items to appear on her chopping block: stripes, polka dots, maybe even plaid. At this rate, she’ll have to shell out for an entirely new wardrobe.

Follow Natalie Sandoval on X: @NatalieIrene03