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!).

And on that note, anthropology does study stuff like clothing and trends, from an ethnographic standpoint. It has a lot to say about why we dress the way we do that is perfectly valid.

It is. Clothing tells a story regardless of people are trying to or not. If you look at the evolution of fashion in general from early days to now. You can see the different types of progress associated with it. From the development of fabrics, dyes, and techniques, status, what were the trends during then when it came to the ideal looks and body shapes, what caused them and why, impacts of economics, etc.

Thier motivations for dressing the way they do will be the same as anyone else's. Either they like how it looks, they are following those around them, or they find the choice practical. While I don't dress that way, I think they look far better than many other fashion trends.

The baggy over sized look is a reaction to the bodycon look.

It’s also unisex. (Mainly) This is quite important as this happens when equality is being achieved. Unisex first appeared in the 70’s and has reappeared now. Growing equality and transgender is a further development of this.

Goose and Gander unisex clothesare part of this trend.

As it doesn’t cling to the body it is part of the Me Too movement and is rejecting overt sexuality. It id saying l am equal but free to do as l want. I’m not here just for sexual enjoyment.

You can all come in and slag this off. But I’ve didn’t years decoding fashion. I could go back 200 years and explain how it works.

Fashion is a reflection of social history and social trends. Womens fashion is particularly interesting as it reflects their growing freedom.

YYY to all of that, @ArseInTheCoOpWindow

I really like the Moscow look, personally.