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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:
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MissCordeliaPreston · 07/01/2022 21:49

Pretty much everyone from every generation could write something like this about some fashion trend. I personally hate the baggy long sleeved dresses that seem to be liked a couple of years ago by fashionable people. There is always something that is fashionable that is ugly to some eyes.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 07/01/2022 21:49

Wow you can really tell what generation people are part of on this thread

Did you identify me? I’m 58 and think they look great. I used to wear lots of baggy oversized stuff in the 80’scomplete with my Mohican😁

givemepiece · 07/01/2022 21:50

I quite like the look

Not so keen on the huge jogging bottoms with oversized jackets, crop tops underneath all in varying shades of grey but with a full face of make up and a beanie hat look. Oh and if they've got young kids, an exact identikit outfit for them too. Very Instagram and BORING (in my humble, unfashionable opinion)

But this is fashion, trends come and go and I'm sure they'll look back on it and say 'ugh what was I thinking' like I do with my 90s looks Grin

Original poster
WindInTheWillows7 · 07/01/2022 21:52

@MissCordeliaPreston

Pretty much everyone from every generation could write something like this about some fashion trend. I personally hate the baggy long sleeved dresses that seem to be liked a couple of years ago by fashionable people. There is always something that is fashionable that is ugly to some eyes.
Yep. I'm sure they were having the same discussions about toga styles in ancient Greece!
OP posts:
Wauden · 07/01/2022 21:54

I wonder whether some young women dress in the style so that they don't get leered at by some people. Baggy clothes are good for that.

Original poster
WindInTheWillows7 · 07/01/2022 21:55

@givemepiece

I quite like the look

Not so keen on the huge jogging bottoms with oversized jackets, crop tops underneath all in varying shades of grey but with a full face of make up and a beanie hat look. Oh and if they've got young kids, an exact identikit outfit for them too. Very Instagram and BORING (in my humble, unfashionable opinion)

But this is fashion, trends come and go and I'm sure they'll look back on it and say 'ugh what was I thinking' like I do with my 90s looks Grin

I think very often particular fashions started out by making some kind of statement, but as it gets watered down people just copy it because they like the aesthetic and want to fit into a certain group. So if you asked someone why they dress like that, they probably wouldn't have an answer
OP posts:
Kanaloa · 07/01/2022 21:57

But should you need an answer? Most people aren’t making a statement with their clothes, they’re just dressing nicely or how they think is nice.

Hardly anyone will say ‘yes I’m wearing all shades of grey to show my disgust with pollution and the smog it causes’ or ‘I wear only short trousers to show solidarity with short people.’

Almost every single person is just thinking ‘I would look cool with a buzz cut and some dms’ or ‘Jillian had extensions and I should get some to look glam and girly like her’ or ‘I love these elasticated waist joggers I can go for a wee while still holding my 9 month old.’

FindingMeno · 07/01/2022 21:59

I love that look.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 07/01/2022 21:59

most people aren’t making a statement with their clothes
I used to lecture history of fashion. People absolutely make a statement with their clothing whether they know it or not. Decoding clothing is basic anthropology.

Andtheyalllookjustthesame · 07/01/2022 21:59

It's just like the 80s reworked.
With ubiquitous DMs and a Sinead O'Connor hair cut.

Can't get upset about this. Some of the best people I know dress like that, they are low maintenance, hard working, usually creative.

Original poster
WindInTheWillows7 · 07/01/2022 22:00

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

most people aren’t making a statement with their clothes I used to lecture history of fashion. People absolutely make a statement with their clothing whether they know it or not. Decoding clothing is basic anthropology.
And what statement d'you reckon is being made with this trend?
OP posts:
Jaxhog · 07/01/2022 22:01

I think you're being a little bit judgy (speaking as someone who was a teenage goth).

Kanaloa · 07/01/2022 22:03

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

most people aren’t making a statement with their clothes I used to lecture history of fashion. People absolutely make a statement with their clothing whether they know it or not. Decoding clothing is basic anthropology.
But most people are not likely to ‘have an answer’ when asked why they’re wearing the clothes they’re wearing outside of that they like them.

And nor should they have to.

Lifeisnteasy · 07/01/2022 22:03

I don’t know if I agree with you OP but wanted to give you 10/10 for your descriptive writing!

Jaxhog · 07/01/2022 22:06

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

most people aren’t making a statement with their clothes I used to lecture history of fashion. People absolutely make a statement with their clothing whether they know it or not. Decoding clothing is basic anthropology.
Exactly.

Young people like to look different from their parents, consciously or unconsciously. Since 'adults' mostly dress nicely, this often means they dress in black and grungy. We all did it!

Original poster
WindInTheWillows7 · 07/01/2022 22:07

@Jaxhog True!

OP posts:
ListeningButNotHearing · 07/01/2022 22:08

YANBU
It's a matter of opinion but I do agree with you.
Your description in your opening post is very good.

AngelinaFibres · 07/01/2022 22:09

People are indicating which 'tribe' they belong to with their clothes. Goths, mods, horsey people, fishermen, farmers, football supporters .We all dress either consciously or unconsciously to indicate which group we belong to. Even the people who feel themselves superior to such thoughts are dressing in a way that indicates to like minded people that that is who they are.

KimikosNightmare · 07/01/2022 22:09

@WindInTheWillows7

something like this maybe
That doesn't look oppressed. Quite the opposite- it's quite preppy , smart and looks well pulled together. I like it.
Original poster
WindInTheWillows7 · 07/01/2022 22:09

@Lifeisnteasy

I don’t know if I agree with you OP but wanted to give you 10/10 for your descriptive writing!
Haha thanks. I've been in isolation and had too much time to think about these things Grin
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PurpleFlower1983 · 07/01/2022 22:10

The 90s are making a come back!

WrittenInGold · 07/01/2022 22:14

@WindInTheWillows7

something like this maybe
What! This look says money to me. Some 80s influence and perhaps 2000s on the jeans.

What you're describing sounds like a pretty standard hipster look to me. See thread ugly middle class clothes thread for what to wear after graduating and getting legit art job 😁

I do agree in general though that there is poverty porn fashion trend amongst privileged art students etc. Don't really mind what people wear though, people can wear what they like as long as what comes out of their mouth is honest!

AngelinaFibres · 07/01/2022 22:16

@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!).

Didn't sinead O'connor favour this look in the 90s. Nothing is ever new really it's just newly discovered , and tweaked a bit, by the next generation.
SantasExitStratgey · 07/01/2022 22:18

I like it! More examples please.

baroqueandblue · 07/01/2022 22:19

I love the look some of you have identified, hadn't consciously noticed it much but seeing some of the examples I realise it's been in my 'peripheral vision'. Particularly enjoyed the Esquire article that breaks it down and gives some tips on how to put it together. But the prices! 😲 And I guess that's what the OP was getting at. Some kind of cross been fisherperson chic and austere-looking workwear actually appears to cost a small fortune if you want to get it right! The fabrics are fairly rough-looking or chunky, lots of ribbed knitwear and coarse materials and sheepskin in the coats/jackets - all at higher end boutique prices. At the beginning of the thread I thought it must be something to do with millennials being hideously priced out of life, but now I'm not so sure, unless it's what sounds like the cut price version - shapeless oversized jumpers or coats and trousers which can be bought cheaper in charity shops. Except as various MN threads have discussed, even a lot of chazzers these days charge the earth for some of the tat they sell! Hmm