Photo: kaboodle.com
What’s old is new again. What was once for the common, average, everyday working man has now been co-opted, reworked and focused at, not the man of meager means, but at the fellow with the fat wallet. I’m talking about blue-collar cool. Work wear for the white-collar working man.
From street wear by Stussy to rancher garb from Schott NYC the look of the iconic American working man is now, and in my opinion, finally, being seen for what it truly is: stylish. This is the stuff of square-jawed, corn-fed, broad-shouldered men. Think Marlboro man but without the ashtray smell and lung cancer. We’ve grown up with this stuff. We’re familiar with it and comfortable in it.
Upon discovering what I perceived as a flagrant co-opting of classic American work wear, my initial reaction was to find a high horse to mount in order to piously heap scorn on those who dare tread on ground so long considered sacred. However, in a rare digression from following my gut reaction, I can’t help but think that this particular fashion foray, unlike its innumerable predecessors, will help level the playing field for those of us in search of a date or mate.
What these high-dollar designers have done, whether intentionally or not, is create a sort of fashion smoke screen. Work wear is easy and comfortable. Finding and buying it is easy too. Prospective dates will no longer be able to tell by how you dress if you are a neurosurgeon or a steel worker.
Instead of trivializing and ruining (remember Grunge-couture?) that from which the world of fashion has so freely borrowed and claimed as its own, in this instance, at least, its mimicry stands to honor the very bastion it so long looked down upon. And for that, we who’ve always been most comfortable in that which is most comfortable, a little thanks is due.
Comments
The designers maybe better at copying, but there is nothing like the original, rugged, field-used garbs!
I couldn't agree more. The designer stuff is nice for some but the genuine article is where it's at for maximum comfort and durability.
Ok, Fishy, I agree. I love a man in working class garb,(carpet installers, guys who build/fix things) but where's the stuff for "gals?" Despite the warnings plenty of us smoked Marlboro's too. I want to be hip and cool just like the guys.
So, it's in fashion to dress like you work for the man,instead of looking like the man? No matter what you wear, you still are what you are. The guy who trailers his bike to Sturgis.
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