To think that some young people dress like they're oppressed?

[WindInTheWillows7]

I'm in my early 20s, and I've noticed some fashion trends among my peers which seem deliberately geared toward making the wearer look what I can only describe as oppressed. I'm only talking about my observations in student areas of London, so don't know if it's just here. For example, shaved heads; baggy clothes which make you look undernourished; workman boots and cropped trousers that make you look like you're in a prison camp in Siberia; boxy worker jackets; fisherman beanie hats... It's almost a dystopian look, or like they've emerged from a Soviet country, malnourished, pale, and worn out from heavy labour.

(FYI, I am no fashionista and I am not "judging" people who dress like this, just wanting to see if others have noticed it and what you think it's all about!).

I love this look, refreshing after the years of skinny, ripped jeans, Kardashian make up, fake teeth brows and tan look.

@isittheholidaysyet

Sounds like the 90's are back. Thank God, I might find some trousers to fit me again. Must dig out my purple docs.

I had a pair of purple velvet Docs ,lovedv them .

@Member589500

My daughter and her mates shop ‘vintage’ and put together some brilliant ugly outfits. My daughter bought a giant pilly acrylic cardigan in burgundy with tartan collar and cuffs. I checked the brand inside and it’s Damart

There was a thread on MN recently where the OP had found a pair of 'cool, vintage tapestry shoes' in a charity shop. They were M&S granny slippers from the 80s

Derelicte! So hot right now.

@iklboo

It's not that dissimilar to Joe Boxer look in the 80s.

Or some styles in the 60s! I recall buying some shoes in the 70s or 80s and my mother commented 'if I'd bought those for you to wear to school 5 years ago you would have refused!' and she was probably right. Every generation has its foibles, my late OH told our grandaughter that her jeans needed mending, all those slashes. The OP seems to be going through middle age very early!

@Horst I mean it’s better than the million orange ones with fake everything and identakit clothes and hairs.

Judge much? It's not "better" - it's just different surely?

Different fashions, cultures and sub-cultures exist and they have for centuries. None is better than the other - some are just more appealing to your aesthetic

My DD is 17 and I swear her current coat is identical to one that my mum’s friend had circa 1993 . But she loves it, it keeps her dry (and has pockets - which actually seems sensible). It’s just a bit odd seeing her dressed like a middle aged mum from the 1990s.

I live in a student area in a northern city. The student fashion is excellent people-watching fodder. After the first month or so the weather dictates that they all give up and go back to leggings, duvet jackets and waterproofs.

@DJSteves

I teach in an very artistic and creative environment and I know the look you describe. Everyone wears classic DM's (me included) and the shorter length trousers are fashionable. Some the younger teachers wear ankle socks with boots instead of tights and big baggy jumpers. It does looks comfortable and wearable. I still dress like a student from the 90's and I don't care. I'm 45 and would hate to look frumpy or too corporate

Yess I do notice it more around art colleges!

My 16yo dresses like this. It's a mix of anti-capitalism, anti-fashion and poor body confidence ... and confidence in general after a year or so of being shut away. She is happiest when she feels like she's dressed in a duvet and no-one is paying her any attention.

She does get grumpy when I remind her that I ripped my jeans 30 years ago, though .

YANBU it's 'shabby chic' or whatever but imo it fetishises poverty basically.

Urban outfitters is full of ripped and faded clothes that look like they cost 20p on purpose but cost £30

You say you are not judging it. But you compare these people some pretty negative situations - prisoner camps for a start.
Why don’t you just focus on you and don’t worry what they are all about?

[quote recycledcat]**@Horst* I mean it’s better than the million orange ones with fake everything and identakit clothes and hairs.*

Judge much? It's not "better" - it's just different surely?

Different fashions, cultures and sub-cultures exist and they have for centuries. None is better than the other - some are just more appealing to your aesthetic[/quote]
I mean if you want to say judgy then sure but seriously the Instagram look is so over done. Anyone who’s stepping away from that is great.

No individualist ideas to just follow the look everyone else is doing.

We had grunge and heroin chic in the 90s. Can't see that todays is any worse, just more expensive.

Nothing is political statement these days. They’re just playing dress up in 80s clothing.

@freelions

Tbh I think the ones who are identikit perfectly groomed with lip fillers, scouse brows etc look more oppressed

This!

I like seeing those who look comfortable.

To be fair very few people have ‘individualist ideas’ when it comes to how they dress.

The Instagram lookalikes will have friends who look much the same, but I would be willing to bet the art school shaven head kids also have alternative looking friends.

Always reminds me of Claire from Derry girls saying ‘I’m not being an individual on my own!’

Or the kids I knew at high school who thought they were ‘so so different’ because they listened to my chemical romance instead of boy bands and the Saturdays when in fact they were just part of another very popular culture/fashion.

You are describing how my 15-yr-old DD dresses except for the shaven head.

Am not sure there’s that much thought or forward planning that goes into it. They are just clothes she likes.

I do like the alternative looks though! Just think it’s a bit rubbish to use them to bash people who dress more mainstream or are inspired by a different celebrity fashion because it’s likely the alternative Siberian prisoner look is just as inspired by others and not some bolt from the blue super original type.

Any minute now the Op will be back to complain that the young women don’t look “ feminine “ and attractive to men. That they need to be “sexy“ and wear tight fitting clothes that show off their bodies for the male gaze.

And “ look their best “ which mean look nothing like their own skin colour, hair colour, face shape or body shape.

Or that they look like lesbians - using that an an insult or term of abuse.

There’s always someone who objects to women wearing shoes they can walk in and clothes they can move in. I guess they feel angry that these women have a freedom they don’t.

@Malariahilaria

I love it. I spent quite a few years wondering why the youth weren't rebelling like they're supposed to. Now they are. As pp said, those girls in tiny minis and platforms seem more oppressed to me.

But really they arent rebelling are they? It's just another version of an identity look. Not my particular cup of tea but hey, each to their own

Isn’t this just the 90s grunge look back in with a slightly modern twist?

In some ways it looks comfortable. Not sure about folding a beanie hat above your ears though... the main reason I wear a hat is to keep my ears toasty.

@gogohm

Ex East German army uniform was all the rage when I was at university, paired with doc martens generally if you were female (the ex army boots were not available in fours) alternatively lumberjack shirts and leggings, students always like to dress down

This is EXACTLY my era! My lovely BIL (17 years my senior) thought I was clearly gay as I had DMs, lumberjack shirt and short(ish) hair . He didn't frequent the university Union in 1992, clearly! I sported lots of red lipstick and dresses with over-sized cardigans and the DMs. I feel that this look would fit in perfectly these days.

DS1 17 is 6th year and his dad recently commented on his newly purchased trousers 'When did you start wearing grandpa's old, dodgy chinos that you've cut too short?' How I laughed! I think he looks great- he's currently growing his hair into a 'mini-mullet'. I love young folk.

Yea I know the type of look you mean.
Dies it come with a red nose ( like blusher applied on the nose) and fake freckles sometimes?

No my cup of tea but I’m 36 so I assume it’s just the fashion some young people like. Every generation has a trend that’s meant to be a little bit alternative.