Poll: What do you think of the “Hobo-Chic” movement?
Posted on 01.26.09 to Opinion, Polls by LindsayHobo-chic… I never thought I’d see the day. I’ve seen Casual-Chic, Shabby-Chic… basically everything-chic. But I never thought I’d understand fully the concept of hobo-chic – and I don’t know that I have.
For several months, we’ve been bombarded with “street photos” of celebrities (or… rich heiresses, in the above case) walking about in extremely expensive, however completely generic and, well, below-basic garments. Ripped jeans, flannel shirts, oversized everything… But also decorated with hugely expensive accessories, such as the Hermes Birkin bag, as seen on Ms. Hilton.
Personally, I think that this “movement” was spawned from the previously popular “Boho”, or bohemian craze kicked off by starlets like Sienna Miller, Mischa Barton, and Kate Hudson. Flowy fabrics, florals, and those awful forehead-headbands were the front-runners in the trend, and I think that the next step to many trendsetters was a bit of a decline into, well, homeless-style garb.
Mary-Kate, bless her tiny little heart, is probably pegged for a lot of this new trend, as her extreme layering styles definitely fit into the “I found a blanket and will constantly wear it in my cardboard box” regime, but I see an art in her style, which I actually like.
As much as our style-icon celebrities would like to think that their style is all original, and secretly consider themselves as “trendsetters”, there’s no denying that they copy one another. I mean… How else would there be EVER so many people running around in liquid leggings and plaid button-down shirts if someone didn’t say “Hey… They’re getting attention for that? Hell, I can do that!”?
I also am a loyal subscriber to Lookbook.nu, a simple site that allows its (invitation-only) users to upload their outfits daily in a feed that sometimes produces 400 new “posts” per day. I am often inspired by many of the outfits I see on the site, but recently I have a complaint: They’re all starting to look the same.
Every girl is in second-hand, well, everything and ripped tights, dirty sweaters and oversized Granny-style glasses. (I’m sure they’re all prescription….) The idea of coordinating pieces and coherance seems to have flown out the window right along with proper fit. The phrase “SO tacky, I love it” is becoming a standby when determining clothing choices. What is happening here? Coco Chanel is certainly rolling over in her grave.
Now, I understand that a) everyone has their own style and b) fashion is cyclical. Experimentation is definitely a-ok. But if everyone’s style is “individual”, then why are so many people looking like the same bum that sleeps in front of the local bar?
… Or, another form of late-night, street-walking… sleeping type… Ahem.
Yeah, I said it.
When I decide to try thrifting (which, as I’ve previously stated, totally scares me), I can imagine that the pieces I select will be chosen because they do NOT look like someone didn’t want them. Just my preference.
So now you’ve heard my piece, what’s yours?
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Comments ( 17 )
The “Boyfriend Jean” - Are you into it? | Broke & Beautiful added these pithy words on Feb 12 09 at 12:07 pm :
[...] suppose the difference between the new and old trends are related, in fact, to our Hobo-Chic discussion. Perhaps you think boyfriend jeans/trousers/pants are okay. Well, let’s back it up [...]
I’m Wearing: Copycat (w/ New Toys!) | Broke & Beautiful added these pithy words on Oct 07 09 at 12:29 am :
[...] all the spandex mini-dresses, ultra-80s styles, and the ever-present homeless chic… Who wouldn’t be depressed? We’ve hit a strange, anachronistic period of fashion [...]
Beka added these pithy words on
Jan 26 09 at
5:34 pm
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I think Nicky Hilton wears it well. My beloved Mary-Kate, not so well in this instance. As for the Lookbook ladies, a lot of times, styles spawn off as a trendy response to the indie rock movement which often abuses fashion, in my opinion. Not indie rock. I love indie rock. I mean these fashions. Eww.
Mish added these pithy words on
Jan 26 09 at
5:53 pm
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I refuse to believe that Lookbook girl went out looking like that. She’s not wearing pants, am I the only one that notices? There are no pants there. Not even a skirt. Not even a stupid looking shredded skirt. She is wearing leggings and a Disneyland shirt. No, that girl is lying: she did not go out like that: that is not a legitimate outfit. Someone cannot be that crazy. That is too much crazy.
I find the whole hobo chic thing a little crazy and silly and well… mean. I don’t know why rich girls would want to somehow imitate, at least style-wise, the most ignored part of the population, but for some reason, that appears to be what is happening and it’s kind of frustrating. All is fair in fashion, but dang. Imitating homeless people? That’s kind of messed up.
Lara added these pithy words on
Jan 26 09 at
6:00 pm
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god bless you
Lara´s last blog post was fuchsia and sunshine!
Ashe Mischief added these pithy words on
Jan 26 09 at
6:58 pm
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After awhile, it just becomes redundant. I think there are people who can take elements from hobo-chic and make it all their own and wrap it in to their own personal style. But overall, the indie rock look, the hobo chic…. I just kind of find them sloppy (and I’m not necessarily the most neat dresser myself).
Ashe Mischief´s last blog post was Mischief, My Dear! shop launch!
Kristy added these pithy words on
Jan 26 09 at
7:24 pm
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This is sad. These people should get a grip on reality and realize that being homeless is a real plight for many people and that it’s not a fashion trend. The people who are setting this trend are only showing up how out of touch with the real world they are and how they lack empathy for the true pain of others.
Birdie added these pithy words on
Jan 26 09 at
7:30 pm
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Eccentric Glamour…. people are taking it and using it as the newly-cliché’d excuse to dress like bums and call themselves individual.
I think all these kids in their same skinny pants and giant thrifted 80′s tees and big granny glasses are starting to look boring – just like if everybody dresses like a hobo they start to look boring… just like if everybody were to dye their hair pink they’d all start to look… boring.
I don’t see how torn-up-bum-grunge translates into fashion, but it’s not my style, so maybe that’s the problem. Your point is COMPLETELY valid and refutable.
/tl;dr – Birdie agrees.
Birdie´s last blog post was Eccentricity, transformation, and true happiness!
jfount added these pithy words on
Jan 26 09 at
7:41 pm
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I would never wear this style, and it’s too contrived for me to really admire it in others to be honest. I like eclectic, but so much of this stuff is just going out of its way to be ugly. And not intriguing, arty-ugly, just plain ugly-ugly. Ironically I think this style of dress sends the exact opposite message of what it’s meant to: instead of “I’m a starving artist, eff society!” it just says to me, “I have no actual creativity and I can afford to waste my money on clothes that are already ready for the trash”.
jfount´s last blog post was jfount: My Amazon wishlist now includes the full set of Arrested Development, the Oxford Dictionary of British History, and a waffle iron. Awesome.!
M added these pithy words on
Jan 26 09 at
10:12 pm
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I agree with pretty much all the comments above me. Just want to add that while heiresses and celebrities can dress however the heck they want, us ordinary people have a rep to protect. I mean, I’m still a student, but there is no way in heck that walking into a grad school classroom looking like any of the pics of girls in your post would be acceptable. And once I enter the workforce, this would most definitely be true. Who’s going to hire me if I look like I came off the street? I doubt explanations that “it’s the fashion” are going to do much good.
lisa added these pithy words on
Jan 26 09 at
11:02 pm
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I read an interview with designer Rachel Roy once where she said one of her fashion pet peeves was celebrities dressing down in ripped jeans and sporting Rolexes, and that people who have less money often look a lot better groomed. I think this trend of spending a lot to dress down was symptomatic of a boom economy: people could afford to dither away money on clothes that were simultaneously trashy and trendy. Now that the recession’s settling in, I think people are going to buy more conservatively–classic investment pieces that look more groomed and expensive.
lisa´s last blog post was Eye Candy: Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights!
Jen added these pithy words on
Jan 27 09 at
9:21 am
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*applauds*
You are a goddess among fashion, Elle. Someone needed to call these people out.
Jen´s last blog post was What’d I Tell You?!
amanda lee added these pithy words on
Jan 27 09 at
4:22 pm
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I think it can work for some people. Me? I prefer a more structured, finished look.
amanda lee´s last blog post was Ill!!
Marie added these pithy words on
Jan 31 09 at
8:03 pm
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Do give thrifting a try! If you look you can find treasures. I scored at Goodwill today – great, high quality stuff. I’m not always so lucky, and I do wash the clothing well, but it doesn’t have to be scary. Nowhere else do you find such amazing variety and great prices.
Fabulously Broke added these pithy words on
Feb 01 09 at
3:44 pm
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Miss Elle, I LOVE your new logo! 
As for that style? A definite NO for me personally. I think it looks cheap… but ironically it costs a lot to have strategically placed rips in your jeans LOL
Fabulously Broke in the City
“Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.“
Fabulously Broke´s last blog post was Best of FB Shopaholic!
Kaden added these pithy words on
Jul 23 09 at
6:57 pm
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I like hobo-chic influences but sometimes it does look a bit tacky… especially ripped legging, yuck! I may be a bit biased however as I’ve been looking homeless for years now due to my complete inability to throw clothes away and only being able to afford thrifted threads. Mind you it is very easy for it to be done in a pretty terrible manner.
get paid to upload added these pithy words on
Dec 04 10 at
9:17 am
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