@NostalgiaChan
Another thing I've noticed in the acceptability of utilitarian or lower-class clothing is it also depends on the kinds of bodies that are wearing them. If an overweight or middle-aged person is wearing a baggy t-shirt, waist-high wide-leg shorts, and tennis shoes, it's seen as trashy and gross, something deserving of mockery. But you put that same outfit on someone skinnier and younger, like a Gigi or Bella Hadid, and suddenly it's another banger fit from a fashion icon and everyone wants to look like that, leading to thrift stores getting cleared out by trend chasers and prices rising across the board. The people who have to wear clothes like that aren't suddenly cooler or more appreciated, it's just trendy to cosplay them for two weeks and then go back to wearing more ostentatious Gucci or Balenciaga outfits; I mean, you don't want people to think you're ACTUALLY poor, old and unattractive, right?
@Shack263
I once saw an aesthetic being labelled "homeless-core" and I felt disgusted. Homelessness and poverty aren't fashion choices
@docdoom44
Its definitely an irony where rich upper class people try to act and sound more working class. In the same vein as someone who comes from working class roots, I always try to buy the expensive stuff I envied when I was younger cause we couldn't afford it. Strange!
@carmelasantana3091
I think "dressing expensive" and "dressing less affluent" reflect both an effort to fit in and a way to achieve sartorial equality. It's also a way of self-protection, the way a chameleon or octopus change their colors to blend into their environment. The clothing choices we make extend far beyond comfort and style.
@co_conspirator
Living in the USA I think another contributing factor is that you can get teased for wearing anything "Spiffy" or "Fancy". Something like an oxford shirt is thought of as church clothes here but a distressed Carhartt work shirt is acceptable.
@identity__thief
This is definitely your best video yet. The memes, the commentary, the comedy, it's all chef's kiss
@komos3719
What really aggravated me was when my friend took me to a "thrift" store which was expensive as hell. They've driven up prices for people who are genuinely in need.
@generalgravy
I def agree that this trend partially stems from rich people’s tendency to not want to flaunt how wealthy they truly are, and the idea that discussing money is a taboo. Really weird considering I went to school during the era of brands like Hollister and Abercrombie. Kids would flex those brands SO hard just to prove to others that they could afford to consistently buy new clothes from the mall.
@heyitz_rj
I’m really happy you addressed this topic because this issue right here got me uninterested in the fashion world for good. I don’t mind if wealthy people wear expensive brands that they genuinely love. However, it left a real bad taste in my mouth when I started seeing the disgusting trend of expensive brands turning poverty into an aesthetic. Pre-worn out shoes and extremely ripped clothes to the point that it was straight up glamorizing being poor were the last straw for me. The worst is when these same individuals that (to be frank) have never experienced what it’s like to grow up in a rough part of town go to these places for photo shoots! It’s not inspiring, it’s not artistic, it’s not brave, it’s dehumanizing. Seems like the only time people that are in positions like this get attention from people is if they are being used for clout nowadays.
@drzaius844
This goes back at least to Oscar Wilde who wore intentionally frayed pieces, and is a cousin of the Ivy style where an expensive piece might be a bit threadworn , or paired with something casual, to give an intentional I don’t care old money vibe. No rich person wears actual workwear, trust me you will be treated like dogshit, it is presented as workwear in a way that clearly displays wealth and zero fucks. Cool video I’ve wondered at this trend and I just remembered some of this stuff from university.
@georgesmith6356
I always enjoy a discussion about fashion because it's fascinating to see how society uses it to express what kind of people they are, whether real or fake
@ubaha_
I love channels like yours made by people who have a connection to the high trends but isn't living inside a bubble. Your content is a digest of the world we live in regarding the topics with no disenguinity or need to maintain an image, concept or ideas. It's just honest and that's cool.
@lobo-uh2tb
Some people call it blue collar stolen valor my only problem with it is it drives the prices way up and they basically gentrify the working people out of the clothes they need and like and ironically at the same time the prices go up the quality goes down too
@DaveNYC
Really liking these more in-depth topics! I've watched you content in the past even though I don't wear tech at all just because you present it so well. But this a whole different level. Great work! A couple of thoughts. Setting aside dressing in a full construction worker's uniform or hooligan ensemble, I think one reason that high fashion has often referenced (or outright stolen) workwear elements is because many of them are utilitarian and have become iconic in their own right. I'm thinking here of things like Carhart pants, utility jackets (like photographer Bill Cunningham wore), hoodies, etc. They tend to look good on everyone and have stood the test of time. The ultimate example would be jeans, which started out as workwear for miners and now are worn by everyone. The same could be said for military influenced looks. I personally love a good military-style piece or detail, and I have never heard anyone being accused of fetishizing the military. Pea coats, field jackets, combat boots, etc. They've all crossed over because they are good style that can be worn by most people. On the other hand, this can certainly go too far. The fashion archives are replete with examples where this blew up in designer's faces. I'm thinking of Galliano's newspaper dresses that were "inspired" by homeless people warming themselves with actual newspapers or some of McQueen's "homeless" style collections. Definitely cringe. Definitely a no.
@UNIONFEATURES
I heard the phrase 'Stolen Blue Collar Vallor' recently to describe the look that emulates the raw blue jeans/$300 work boot/designer plaid shirt look.
@MannoMax
Im really split on this issue, because for one, its becoming more acceptable to wear my usual fit of heavily worn cargo pants and a company issue work tshirt, which is great, because its comfortable, durable, and affordable, but on the other hand, i don't like the fact that rich kids don't walk around like supreme billboards anymore, because that makes it harder to bully them.
@leroark2402
Funnily enough, I have found for myself that adopting a more upper class inspired wardrobe (old money aesthetic) is cheaper than the working class Larp many people around me started to adapt. I think maintaining a functional and interchangeable wardrobe, as well as thrifting and shopping military surplus has helped me a lot cutting down how much clothing I'm consuming, as well as putting in more effort into shopping quality, although still at affordable prices
@Korrosiv_
Very well explained! your evolution from THE tech-wear connoisseur to a fashion analyst is quite a sight, keep up the good work!
@fine9375
To be fair, everybody is cooler than a middle class guardian reader.
@TheBuick6