Healthy, respectful discussion is not only desired; it is encouraged. A debate on the length of a hemline or the merits of a sheath over a fit and flare silhouette isn’t just enjoyable; it’s educational. In those instances and almost all others, people agree to disagree. They do so politely, even warmly. It is not okay to refer to someone as a fool. Nor is it acceptable to belittle another’s opinion or to label it as stupid, idiotic, ridiculous, or to use any other pejorative term in responding to someone’s comment.
The site’s primary purpose is style-related; this is not the place for discussion about Kate and William’s marriage, Kate’s weight (or anyone else’s), speculation on whether or not she is expecting, why she looks ‘tired,’ or if she has “had a little work done.” Trial and error over the years have shown that weight debates have a propensity to go off the rails very quickly. Saying “I think the dress is too big on her” or “the suit jacket should have been taken in” is different from “She looks gaunt,” or “Kate’s bones stick out,” or comments of that nature. It’s a fine line, but one we’re sensitive to here. While comments about the cost of a specific garment are welcome (“that doesn’t look like a $900 dress to me”), this isn’t the place for discussion on the overall cost of Kate’s wardrobe; it is a topic that invariably turns into a conversation/debate of a political nature, the role of the monarchy and other issues. There are going to be occasions when the Duchess of Cambridge and other royals are at the same event or engagement, and for many, it will be natural to compare ensembles. As long as we remain respectful and keep our focus on apparel and accessories, and not on the individuals, comments in this vein are fine.
Of equal importance: maintaining a respectful tone when sharing opinions. Comments referring to the Duchess as a moron, a nitwit, a disgrace or other derogatory terms are simply deleted. That doesn’t translate into sycophancy. It’s the difference between saying “I don’t think the dress is cut right” or “it’s not a flattering look” and saying “She looks like an idiot, “I can’t believe she would wear such a trashy dress,” or “she looks dumpy.” In some cases, it’s a matter of tone; because this is the written word, we need to remember one can’t hear vocal inflections. One other note: the comment section is not the forum for buying or selling Kate-related merchandise. We have worked hard over the years to create a community here at WKW and will continue efforts to ensure civility is maintained as we evolve.
