I like slogan shirts. From classic Keep Calm logos, to designer
parodies such as Féline and Homies, to the age-old argument of Team Edward v
Team Jacob, (are we still banging on about this?) to humorous play on words
like Comme Des Fuckdown, slogan shirts are hugely popular among celebrities,
bloggers and the now the general public. Yeah, I like them. Funnily enough, the
only slogan shirt I've ever owned was the one I mentioned in a previous post –
an asymmetric red long sleeve with the words “I love my attitude problem”
printed in silver glitter (yes I know, I have already hung my head in shame on
numerous occasions, thanks). Although I was probably craving a rebellious nature,
my 12 year old attitude problem was non-existent so it was kind of a
meaningless broadcast. Because after all, a slogan shirt is supposed to reflect
the person wearing it, right?
So when I first walked into Primark and was greeted with a range
of crop tees bearing the words geek, loser, nerd and other such labels, I was
slightly confused; since when was proclaiming that you are someone who receives
a lot of social stick in everyday life deemed as cool? Since when was it ‘in
fashion’ to be degraded? After all, those words were created to offend, were
they not? I went home empty handed, kind of pissed off and kind of STARVING
because I’d spent a grand total of 1 hour shopping and was for some reason dead
beat (Primark drains the soul).
I believe it is perfectly acceptable for individuals who are
proud to be considered a geek or a dork to wear a piece of clothing that
confirms this – if they themselves are comfortable enough in their own skin to conform,
respect to them. Personally, I would consider myself a geek (I’m not sure
how stereotypical we want to go here); I wear glasses, adore video games,
spend way too much time on the computer, and have definitely broken out in acne
on more than one occasion. I’m not proud of my deteriorating eyesight or my
terrible skin, was verbally attacked on many occasions during my childhood
because of these factors, and wouldn't be comfortable bearing a cotton reminder
of how crap I felt back then. However, I have nothing against people doing so –
each to their own, as I like to say.
What I don’t believe is acceptable is when individuals who
bully, criticise and demean others for being geeks and nerds, yet have the
audacity to stroll around with a t-shirt bearing those words. Why are the
popular kids in school walking around with ‘loser’ sprawled across their chest
when just a few hours ago they shoved a kid down the stairs for spending too
much time at the library? It just doesn't make sense to me.
See, it’s a bit like Converses.
At the tender age of 14, my first pair of Converses was
bought for me by my dad (who later decided he will not have a daughter walking
around in trainers that are scribbled over and ripped to shreds and so chucked
them in the bin – I cried for a week). They were high tops, in a deep green
hue, the brilliant white laces the cleanest they will ever be. I adored them. Other
kids outside my social circle however, did not.
“Err man, look at those goffs (yes, here we go again with the
goffs), look at their stupid trainers. You lot look well stupid.” Yeah, well so
does your face.
Anyway, we didn't care – our Converses were our pride and
joy, and we wore them until wear and tear did us part. A few years later, I was
walking through town and noticed a couple of the boys that used to bug us on
the green wearing, you guessed it, Converses. All of a sudden, Converses seemed
to have boomed among tracksuit-wearing individuals ever since Nike took over –
for some reason, those ‘stupid’ trainers that were scorned were now being donned
by every Tom, Dick and Harry (and Chaz...and Dave).
Hey, I’m not bitter, just bemused!
Let me know your thoughts :)
xox
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