https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:59:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-581128 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:06:22 +0000 Anonymous 581128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here in Georgia where I live, it is against the law to carry a gun outside the house without a license, which you have to purchase from the State of Georgia. When you buy a gun, they do a complete background check, and the gun is registered in the buyer's name. I'm sure the criminals don't care abd are going to carry around weapons anyway (most likely concealed), but law-abiding citizens have the right to own guns and protect themselves, and being required to have a license should not be a problem.</p> <p>My DH is Hispanic. Even though he's a U.S. citizen and a university professor, I'm quite sure he won't ever wear a hoodie. He wouldn't anyway, 'cuz it's not his style (thank goodness!), but if you're a minority in this country, you have to be careful how you dress. That's the awful truth, I hate to say.</p> <p>On the lighter side, I'm chuckling about the idea of a loaded gun tossing around loosely in the pocket of a hoodie. It would serve the gun owner right if it went off. Then again, I wouldn't want it to discharge and harm anyone--not even the criminal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-581048 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:09:58 +0000 Sarah A 581048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>this is an interesting read, especially having perspectives from different countries. Manidipa's comments are enlightening. As far as the specific garment in question is concerned, I don't find it offensive but maybe more comical that the NRA is seeing this as a potential market. There are a million different holsters out there designed to be worn securely under clothes and I am not sure having your hand gun flopping around at the front of a loose sweatshirt is a good idea (accidental discharge) for anyone whether they are law abiding with the appropriate training and permits (in the US) to carry a handgun or have less virtuous intentions. Hmmmm... This comment is sounding more political than I intended. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-581023 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:48:11 +0000 HelenInCanada 581023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting points. </p> <p>I can see why an innocent and practical item like a hooded sweatshirt has gotten twisted into a sinister thing. First, I'm not familiar with gun laws in the US other than knowing that it IS legal to carry a concealed weapon in certain states. Here, NO ONE is allowed to carry a concealed weapon ANYWHERE in Canada. That means this particular advertised gear, then, would be marketed to criminals and that's it. So in that context, you bet it's scary. In the States, it's being marketed specially toward people who, I'm assuming, want to protect themselves. </p> <p>High crime rate being a reality in many areas, it's just a matter of fact that criminals need to hide their identity, and what better way than to wear a hood (and in extreme cases, a mask)? So people's fears are real. Does that mean all hooded people are criminals and should be treated as such? Of course not. Let the facts and evidence speak for themselves. But human nature being what it is, it puts people - especially former victims of violence - on alert.</p> <p>Personally, I HATE hoodies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580989 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:32:19 +0000 Anonymous 580989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fairly or unfairly, I believe you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she dresses. For this reason, I'm one of the parents who voted AGAINST the dress code at my daughters' middle school. The school board already had a dress code, and I didn't feel that each individual school needed to impose even more restrictions. Why? Because I wanted my daughters to be able to stay away from trouble, and that's not easy to do when everyone wears a uniform. Also, I wonder how far we should take these restrictions. Other than dressing modestly and not wearing clothing that has offensive slogans, I'm not sure we should impose further rules. I'm a Christian, and would like to continue wearing my cross necklace. The problem? The cross offends people, much as the Nazi swastika does. So where does this end? My take on this whole issue is that we as concerned and caring citizens and neighbors should attempt to dress in such a way that we don't offend people, if for no other reason than to keep the peace and avoid confrontation. On the other hand, some people are overly sensitive and should lighten up a little. Sure the Nazi swastika offends me. It's a horrible symbol! But if I see someone wearing it, at least I know what type of mindset he/she has. Let me add that the killing of Trayvon Martin was senseless, and it unfortunately involved wearing a hoodie. That's a real shame, and it shouldn't be that way.</p> <p>Respectfully,</p> <p>Ruth </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580817 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:43:17 +0000 ironkurtin 580817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Manidipa, that is fascinating! I seriously would never have known a LOT of what you just wrote about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580811 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:36:17 +0000 ManidipaM 580811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see what you're saying about the extrapolation from hoodie to gangsta, IK. Very good point.</p> <p>In my country it is against the law to wear the national flag --- which I find ridiculous, and yet clearly many people agree as one designer was all but lynched for showing a saree that was inspired by our flag. In comparison, most nations actually add positive patriotic connotations to wearing their flag colours, or applying them to objects of daily use.</p> <p>In line with the Nazi gear, there is the white hood of the KKK. </p> <p>Nazi gear is doubly offensive for some of us because the swastika (Nazi cross) has positive religio-cultural connotations and yet it has been turned into something so very offensive that it can barely be discussed without fear of giving utmost insult and shutting down any possibility of dialogue.</p> <p>There is too the issue of headgear --- the targetting of turbans from the early 'reign of terror' times which extended to some Sikhs and other religious groups due to lack of due discrimination. Muslims of certain communities, Sikhs, some Jains are often told they 'cannot' expect to bring their cultural or religious symbols and habit with them when they emigrate --- and while I can quite see how the argument of discrimination against women can make a lot of sense in this context to some, I can also see a very slippery slope forming.</p> <p>Having a colonial British icon call an average Indian man in native garments a 'half-naked fakir' still strikes one as tremendously distressing from a post-colonial perspective. Yet it is no less difficult to accept the appropriation of certain colours (including one in the national flag and also strongly allied with Buddhism's peaceful politics) by religious fundamentalist groups to the point that it is avoided in my milieu for fear of appearing so allied ourselves and thus giving offence or (worse by far!) drawing 'kindred spirits'.</p> <p>Personally, in my developing and globalizing nation, I have found all sorts of odd bias about ethnic garments in the most unexpected quarters. As though *not* adopting Westernwear is a failure of emancipation --- unless it is clear that the ethnic garments are designer (therefore progressive) or 'occasion only' ('costume' to keep the peace). Many cultural markers draw strong pro and con reactions within and across communities. The nose and toe rings of the bride, the mangalsutra of the married woman, the conch-shell and red lac (once coral) bangles ditto, even the bindi --- and all seem much more fraught, from both sides, than a Christian wedding ring!</p> <p>In some communities (and not just Muslim, contrary to popular belief), covering the head and/or chest --- or failing to do so --- continues to have consequences, particularly for women but also for men of certain social status.</p> <p>I also recall going to college and being told by (politically affiliated, and gun- or bomb-toting to prove it) seniors that I was to stop wearing those 'mod' jeans or else! I fear that is not an entirely left behind 'tradition' even in some of our big and progressive cities.</p> <p>When I cut my hair off into a close crop (Sinead O'Connor length), there was one close friend who was very upset and did not hesitate to blurt out her opinion that I looked like a young Hindu window (it used to be enjoined on Hindu widows universally to shave their head and keep their hair closely cropped ever after; the social rules are more lax now).</p> <p>On the other hand, I myself have been known to get quite riled at the wearing of communist propaganda and Che Guevara shirts and the like by people who do it to be 'cool' and are as far from understanding the politics of it (let alone idolize the figures of Lenin, Mao or Che) as they are from realizing that 'traditional' Hindu fashion already owes much to both the 'Muslim invader' as well as the 'Western colonialist' from long before the Victorian and Mughal eras! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580807 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:25:58 +0000 Anonymous 580807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@dianthus: I agree with you 100% - especially the part about Speedos on men, LOL! Seriously, I do believe it's the marketing that offends me. I see nothing wrong with hoodies. I used to wear them. My daughters wear them. They're comfy and keep you warm. I always thought of them as rather classic casual clothing. That is, until the pistol-packing people came along.</p> <p>Maybe I'm more conservative than most, but I consider offensive clothing to be anything I can't stand to look at; usually clothing that reveals too much (either by not covering up certain body parts or by clinging too much to certain body parts, like Speedos on men), if you know what I mean, and I'm sure you all do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580798 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:14:03 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 580798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Helen, I think it is the marketing that is offensive. It is being specifically marketed to individuals who want to conceal a deadly weapon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580795 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:12:49 +0000 HelenInCanada 580795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Um, in theory I understand why this might be shocking and offensive. But ultimately -it's a hoodie sweatshirt with a...pocket? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580782 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:06:57 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 580782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure if being a Canadian affects my view on this but I have never associated a hoodie with any specific group. I wore them as a teenager and my son wears them too. I find the only thing offensive is that a garment is designed specifically to conceal a weapon. I can't think of any other garment I would consider offensive in itself. I do believe that wearing a garment that has distinct ethnic origins in a mocking way could be insulting or offensive but that it is the way it is worn rather than the garment that is offensive.</p> <p>Exception: Speedos on men. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580775 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:03:01 +0000 ironkurtin 580775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was hoping to open up a bigger conversation, if anyone is interested.</p> <p>I find the concealed weapon hoody offensive, because of the cultural connotations of gangstas in hoodies with guns. It's interesting to me how a hoody - and I love hoodies - has become so loaded - so to speak. Although I'm sure that' concealed-weapon pouch is also a handy pocket for a wallet.</p> <p>What other forms of fashion trigger this response? We've been over a few... Nazi and White Supremacist gear, appropriated Native American or ethnic patterns, for example. (It's interesting that these two types of fashion are offensive for two different reasons - White Supremicist and Nazi gear is definitely worn to provoke a hostile response. I'm not sure the ethnic patterns are. Or the hoodies are either, for that matter.)</p> <p>Are there other kinds of fashion you can think of that come so culturally, politically, or socially loaded as to be offensive? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580755 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:42:50 +0000 Lori 580755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Offensive just barely covers it. . .socially irresponsible, and absolutely idiotic. . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580749 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:36:57 +0000 Laurinda 580749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ETA- I felt my comment was too political :-/ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580743 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:23:41 +0000 biscuitsmom 580743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Scary, alright </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580737 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:20:26 +0000 ManidipaM 580737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>:-o un-effing-believable! I'm more terrified than offended, truthfully... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-fashion-offensive#post-580657 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:12:23 +0000 ironkurtin 580657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Politically, socially, or physically?</p> <p>For example:<br /> <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/03/27/453313/nra-begins-selling-hoodies-with-pocket-to-conceal-handguns/" rel="nofollow">http://thinkprogress.org/polit.....-handguns/</a> </p>