To be saddened by 'glamour and bling' poppies?

[LayMizzRarb]

Do people actually not understand what they represent? Am I alone in thinking that the poppy is a symbol of respect and remembrance for the hundreds of thousands of people who die in wars, and not as a fashion accessory ?
It's all very well the manufacturers saying they will give an amount of money per diamanté poppy sold to charity, but at the end of the day, they are still making a profit.

[moustachio]

anything that supports the cause is positive though isn't it?

[SpiritOfTheBuskersCat]

I don't understand the issue here.

[Dobbiesmum]

If the British Legion themselves sell it then they must think it's a good way of making money for the cause.
www.poppyshop.org.uk/#__utma=27674991.1906607080.1381056649.1381056649.1381056649.1&__utmb=27674991.1.10.1381056649&__utmc=27674991&__utmx=-&__utmz=27674991.1381056649.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=3310835

[Charlottehere]

I heart them

[AngelsLieToKeepControl]

Why is it any less respectful to wear a diamante poppy than a normal one?

If it was just a fashion accessory then people wouldn't bother, they would wear something else instead, they are still showing their support, albeit in a more sparkly way.

[PoppyWearer]

I feel qualified to speak on this subject (see nn!).

Personally I don't have a problem with the bling poppies - whatever sells! And the paper ones always fall off. I've been buying the wristbands and lapel pins for a few years now.

There were some lovely crocheted poppies being sold on eBay last year, with a share of the proceeds going to the Poppy Fund.

[BrokenSunglasses]

I don't like them either, but the British Legion does produce some fancy poppies so I think it's up to them. Their main objective is to make money for their beneficiaries, and however they choose to do that is fine by me.

I'd rather see people wearing blinged up poppies than no poppy at all, but I agree that they aren't really in the spirit of the thing.

[Weeantwee]

I have a sparkly gold British Heart foundation pin which I wear with pride on my jacket. I don't think it's supporting the cause any less than if I was wearing a plain red 'standard' one. Same applies to poppies.

[BrokenSunglasses]

This thread is encouraging me to be a complete hypocrite! I've just looked on the website and they have some gorgeous stuff that I could wear when I'm selling poppies.

I'm torn between thinking its slightly tasteless, and the pretty poppy ring, necklace, bracelet.

[Thants]

Can you explain the issue you have with them? So far no one has.

[Dobbiesmum]

I'm considering those cuff links for DH, he has a shirt they'd look really smart with.

[Timeforabiscuit]

Purely down to personal taste, my dad died on Remembrance Day - so for me it's a more somber occasion, but it's more important that people continue to support IMO

[Tabby1963]

Dobbies thanks for that link. I am spoiled for choice now but will definitely be buying one of the brooches from the RBL :).

[Sirzy]

My only issue with them would be the fact that you only pay for one and then you have it for life whereas the paper ones you have to buy a new one each year (in most cases!). BUT of course wearing a 'bling' poppy doesn't stop you from donating elsewhere anyway

[diddl]

I like them, but wasn't the original poppy because veterans could make them?

I do like the "bling" ones, but can't afford one tbh.

Maybe making it "fashionable" is what has to be done to keep it relevant?

[cocoleBOO]

I wear a small Buckly one on my coat and always buy a local label pin every year. Our RBL produce them and they have local landmarks on them with a poppy. I still give every year. The paper ones get lost and mangled.

The DDs have got a friendship bracelet this year, bought from the local RBL.

[diddl]

Just had a look on the site & there is some nice stuff, but I agree, that once bought, would that be it?

Also, is it meant to be worn year round as a piece of jewellry?

If you can afford the money, why not just donate instead of having something to show for it?

And buy a paper poppy to wear?

Perhaps this really is a case of "less is more"?

[AnaisHendricks]

"I find it amusing to watch politicians and slebs try to out-poppy each other every November"

I bet a lot of them have had the same poppy for the last twelve years like Adrian Mole.

[Sirzy]

That's a good point mrs devere, they do in a way seem to go against the whole purpose of a poppy.

[MarmaladeTwatkins]

I actually agree.

I remember seeing all of the X-Factor judges wearing diamonte ones a few years ago and thinking it was icky.

It's like "I will pay my respects with the rest of you, but I can afford to do it better than you."

I thought that poppies were a great leveller; 'normal' people wear them, as do the royals, politicians etc. But now Swarovski have got involved, there's a bit of one-upmanship about it. It's weird.

[Idespair]

The bling poppies make money. Which is good. They can also be reused. Which is also good. I don't really see the problem.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Yanbu.

If the RBL are selling them I feel less uncomfortable with it, it's the ones by random designers I really don't like.

It isn't something I would partake in though. I'll wear buy and wear the paper one again as I do every year.