What's up with Brits on Reddit calling people chavs for wearing tracksuits and caps when that's just the default style of dress for working class lads?

[OneHappyScroller]

It's not a subculture, no one identifies as chavs. The so called uniform is just the uniform of a white working class estate which is why the term chav became quickly frowned upon because it's essentially a sneery shorthand for a white working class lad or man. Have not noticed any difference between lads who dress in tracksuits vs lads who dress in a T shirt or jeans. It's kind of like going to an American suburb, seeing all the lads in a T shirt and shorts, and saying it's a subculture when it's just the standard way lads dress. I've had people online almost unanimously call me a chav just from my description of what I wear.

For context, am a forty year old man. I wear a chain necklace, cap, trackie, and 95s. Most of my mates dress like this, many of which I've known since secondary school and easily the most loyal mates too. They're in their thirties and forties with jobs, children etc. If you think most arseholes you meet are lads in tracksuits, it's probably because most lads in your area are wearing them. I have not noticed any difference in how men in tracksuits act compared to men in tees and jeans.

I haven't heard the word chav being uttered from anyone's mouth in over fifteen years but on Reddit I've seen it being used dozens upon dozens of times often without knowing the character of the person even.

And here you are, on… Mumsnet?

I feel like you're an AI, but i do agree with you x

Because they hate white people.

However can you please take your hand out of your trackie bottoms, it's gross

I don't do that. Is that a thing white people in the UK do? I've never seen it myself.

Well, I know quite a number of working class 'lads' and they don't dress like this... (what you are describing.)

And the men over 40 who I know certainly do NOT dress like this! 😬No matter what class they are.

Weird thread.

You’re not a ‘lad’ though, you’re 40. You’re way past being a lad.
I personally don’t know any 40+ aged men who dress like this.

Exactly @WhereHasMyPlanetGone ^

Why don’t you ask on Reddit? Weird topic for Mumsnet.

I did, and the responses on Reddit were exactly how you expect. I got called a chav so many times.

I had to look up what 95s are.

C’mon… dress like an adult.

95s are just one of the most popular trainers in the UK.

For teenagers, yes.

Trackies, chains and caps make me think of gangs of sweary teens annoying their local community because that's what I see in my city. Why would you want to dress like that?!

Wearing trainers is for exercise, and otherwise for children. Adults look ridiculous wearing trainers just to walk about, and the fact you’re referring to your trainers by a brand name makes you sound like a teenager.

As far as I'm concerned a pair of trainers is a pair of trainers. They are so ubiquitous Like most fashion trends they are down right boring.

I just wish there was more individuality when it comes to clothing and shoes instead of people behaving like sheep and wanting to look identical to everyone else.

The grey jogging suit makes them look like giant toddlers.

You are clearly white middle class hipster trying to be white working class.

All the working class men I know wear t-shirts and work trousers and either trainers or work boots. Dh is in a trade and none of the guys who work for him wear tracksuits and caps. 😂 It most certainly is a subcultural style of a particular type of man.

Also, if you went to poor and working class white areas of the US, as you say, you would almost certainly find particular (often regional) styles of dress and they aren’t jeans and a t-shirt. (I grew up in a working class neighbourhood in the US).

As a member of the working class, I have never dressed like this and neither do any of my male relations.

Your post is either a gross over-simplification, based on a lack of any real observation, or a total wind-up.

I really cannot say which.