Spoiler alert: This story contains minor spoilers about Episode 2 of Clayton Echard’s season of The Bachelor.
Before Season 26 The Bachelor started, Bachelor Nation questioned ABC’s choiceClayton Echard is the new show’s lead. Now that we’ve gotten to see a little bit of Echard, fans have taken to questioning the choices of the bachelor himself. Although there were many thoughts about the bachelor, Missouri native’s judgment – particularly rewarding Cassidy Timbrooks and the group date rose after some truly villainous behavior – it was his bizarre fashion choice that really had Twitter riled up during Season 26’s second episode.
On his first group date, Clayton Echard enlisted the help of Hilary Duff to help him and some of his contestants host a children’s birthday party. Although Echard was able to take part in the clown costume portion of the date, it was his evening outfit that really caught attention. Echard wore a gray hoodie over a plaid navy blazer. TwitterUsers were astonished to discover the message that his clothes were trying convey by going nuts:
If you want to appear both employed and unemployed, a hoodie paired with a sport jacket is the ideal combination. #thebachelor pic.twitter.com/LAOX61bT8AJanuary 11, 2022
What about outerwear over top of outerwear These episodes were filmed in fall. But how cold could it have possibly been? One fan said that he was trying not to break the show’s dress code but keeping in mind the weather forecast:
When they tell you to dress formally but it’s going to be chilly later:#TheBachelor #TheBachelorABC pic.twitter.com/BGxN6imbEEJanuary 11, 2022
I’m not sure what ABC’s intention was when they had Clayton Echard reading meaning tweetsOn The BacheloretteFinale because it merely fed an already passionate fanbase. The tweets about Echard’s fashion weren’t too hateful, though. One fan suggested, for example, that Echard’s fashion be renamed “if…” The BachelorYou want to dress like this? Go all the way. Also, don’t forget to show us your shoes and pants!
#TheBachelor Clayton needs only his sweat pants and some formal shoes to complete the lookJanuary 11, 2022
After they started, it was open-season on the leading man. The BachelorThe jabs continued with the bachelor’s wardrobe department when he went on his first date, with Susie Evans. The blue zip-up sweater he wore was loved by Twitter followers.
Clayton dressed like a dad picking his kids up from soccer practice in the family minivan #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/Qvjeur7VHMJanuary 11, 2022
While I think the dinner sweater by itself would not have caused the bachelor such grief, having it come right after the hoodie/blazer scandal had fans wondering if anyone had Clayton Echard’s back. One viewer commented:
Now I know the stylists are just doing Clayton dirty with this baby blue zip sweater#TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/fmBave7lm3January 11, 2022
A Twitter user thought the fashion faux pas was an indicator of what’s to come. The drama on Clayton Echard’s season is already through the roof, with double villains Cassidy Timbrooks and Shanae Ankney doing whatever they could to keep Echard’s attention on them:
#BachelorNation sports jacket +hoodie+rose = messy seasonJanuary 11, 2022
The BachelorThe dating show will be back Monday, January 24, but the 17th of January will be taken off to allow ABC to air the NFL Wild Card match between the Arizona Cardinals (Arizona) and the Los Angeles Rams (ABC). Maybe when they’re done, we can borrow those football helmets, because every indication is Clayton Echard’s season will continue to be brutal. We wait. The Bachelor’s return, check out our 2022 Winter and spring TV Schedule to see what’s coming soon.