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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

203 replies

WindInTheWillows7 · 07/01/2022 19:38

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!).

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
ghostyslovesheets · 07/01/2022 21:06

@TheHoptimist

PS @TheHoptimist is you name a nod to the springy little happy people - I collect them!

It is- just packing the Christmas ones away!

I love that someone else even knows what they are!
Chewbecca · 07/01/2022 21:06

I know the look you mean and it makes me feel old - agree with a PP, they’ve done exactly what all previous generations before them have done by making older people think ‘why do you want to wear that manky old cardi’.

It does seem to me to accentuate the inner beauty or natural youthful glow of the wearer (due to the ugliness of the clothes). Which I kind of like.

Innocenta · 07/01/2022 21:06

I think it's cringe, but people can wear what they want.

WendyYourExcellency · 07/01/2022 21:06

@StruggleStreet

Derelicte! So hot right now.
Pmsl - mugatu is it you?
HelloDulling · 07/01/2022 21:07

I def think there is an element of “I can wear these ‘ugly’ clothes snd still look pretty/handsome”. It’s a look is indeed wonderful on skinny 25 year olds. On a 45 year old who is 2stone heavier than she would like to be (me!), it looks terrible.

mafted · 07/01/2022 21:08

@StruggleStreet

Derelicte! So hot right now.
GrinGrinGrin
LittlePearl · 07/01/2022 21:09

I'm old. I really like the look.

Wreath21 · 07/01/2022 21:10

Uh, young people were dressing like that in the late 80s. Some (then and now) look like that because the clothes are comfortable and practical, particularly if you do a fairly physical job, some because they think it's cool, some because they are 'rejecting consumerism' - though you have to spend quite a bit of money to get that sort of look 'right'...

You're getting old, OP. COngratulations.

Thatsplentyjack · 07/01/2022 21:10

I don't mind a bit of oversized clothing. Good for hiding the wobbly bits and being comfortable, however, I can not get on board with baggy cropped trousers/jeans and docs/doc style boots.

Woodlandwater · 07/01/2022 21:11

I can't abide short trousers for any reason. I've never been able to get into the whole cigarette trouser thing. I just think that people look so silly in them, like they are wearing their older sisters clothes that they haven't grown into yet.

Bluebluemoon · 07/01/2022 21:12

It's a sign your getting old OP. What about punks? Hippies? What about how shocked everyone was when women started wearing mini skirts? Grunge?

It's just the new way for young people to be edgy and rebellious and cool. Let them enjoy themselves, this is their time!

HelloDulling · 07/01/2022 21:13

@wakeuphw

I prefer to spend money on classic cuts which stand the test of time... which is showing my age I guess!
Any teenager who chooses to invest in classic cuts is doing teendom all wrong. I’m not sure there are any such things anyway. Collar lengths/widths change, even on a ‘classic’ trench coat/crisp white shirt, and bags are very different these days.
KingscoteStaff · 07/01/2022 21:14

But this is exactly what I wore at university in the last 80s - rolled up jeans to reveal chunky socks and DMs and chunky lumberjack shirts. And the rolled up beanie hat!

I thought I was super cool. I really wanted the granny glasses.

Kanaloa · 07/01/2022 21:18

@Woodlandwater

I can't abide short trousers for any reason. I've never been able to get into the whole cigarette trouser thing. I just think that people look so silly in them, like they are wearing their older sisters clothes that they haven't grown into yet.
Wouldn’t it surely be the opposite? Their older sister’s clothing would be too big.

I like cigarette trousers though. Maybe because I grew up with puddle draggers. Nothing is so repulsive as seeing the muddy stomped and bedraggled hems of too long jeans.

skybluee · 07/01/2022 21:18

@StruggleStreet

Derelicte! So hot right now.
“So I’m rappelling down Mount Vesuvius when suddenly I slip, and I start to fall. Just falling, ahhh ahhh, I’ll never forget the terror. When suddenly I realize “Holy shit, Hansel, haven’t you been smoking Peyote for six straight days, and couldn’t some of this maybe be in your head?”
recycledcat · 07/01/2022 21:18

@KingscoteStaff
I thought I was super cool. I really wanted the granny glasses.

We all have em now!

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 07/01/2022 21:21

@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!).

🤣
HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 07/01/2022 21:22

@WindInTheWillows7

something like this maybe
This guy looks quite 80's to me. An old middle aged lady....
Phrenologistsfinger · 07/01/2022 21:23

39 and I rather like this look! Harks back to my teenage years in the 90s! I have the boots, the jeans and the beanie. Shaggy curls. Not the slacket. Not sure they go with boobs tbh.

HunterGatherer · 07/01/2022 21:23

@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.
I agree, the young are supposed to shock, good for them. I wish I had worn more sensible footwear when I was younger.
HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 07/01/2022 21:24

@WhenSheWasBad

I spent quite a few years wondering why the youth weren't rebelling like they're supposed to

I went to a gig recently (I’m in my 40s and not remotely cool). The kids were wearing odd things. Actually saw I few mullets. I thought they all looked god awful - which is exactly what a dull 40 year old should think.

Oh the mullets are hilarious!
Joystir59 · 07/01/2022 21:24

I'm 64 and love dressing like this

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 07/01/2022 21:24

@Fraternaltwin

I’d rather look like that than a blow up doll.
Yup.
Thatsplentyjack · 07/01/2022 21:25

It's funny, the OP said she's noticed this style more on men, yet so many people have jumped on the thread to say "better than the fake tan, lip filler, big eyebrows, tight clothing" etc. Love that it's always women being bashed 🤣 well done mn.

moochies · 07/01/2022 21:25

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

I think they look great!

Much better than orange, fake eyelashes and Botox/fillers.

I agree!