Rose Bay man accused of ‘cultural appropriation’ after going to Halloween party dressed as a resident of Newtown

HIPSTER HIJACK: An eastern suburbs man is ruffling feathers in the inner west tonight, after going to a Halloween party dressed as a Newtown resident.

Typically James Mathers-Reid hangs out at the Golden Sheaf, wearing polo shirts with popped collars and chinos with R.M Williams.

But tonight the former Cranbrook student wore a pork pie hat, glasses and a flowing scarf.

The costume was well received by people at the party which was held in Rose Bay.

But the controversy began when photos were posted online.

“This costume is a serious case of cultural appropriation,” one Newtown man told DBT.

“It’s reduced our entire community to a cliche.”

“Newtown is not a costume, it’s a way of life.”

The incident sparked discussions about the complexities of respecting other people’s identity, and how suburbs only a few kilometres apart can have such different cultures.

James Mathers-Reid was unavailable for comment.

But he released a statement:

“I’m sorry to anyone I may have offended,” he wrote.

“The truth is I’ve never even been west of Edgecliff.”