Why do we feel the need to wear apparel that makes a declarative statement? On my way home, a woman walked past me wearing a t-shirt and the word emblazoned across her chest was “WINNER”. Now I looked at her and wondered why she wanted to wear such a t-shirt, why in the deeper sense of the word and maybe even deeper than her subconscious was even aware of.
I mean, she likely bought it just because she wants you to see her as a winner. But what if it was bought for her? What if it was a gift to make her feel better about herself?
Am I the only one who takes a thought this far?! Crikey…
Anyway, this is my domain and I can say what I want in relative safety…
My thoughts are these. When we buy these tops, hats, badges and bags we are of course making a statement but why do we feel the need to? Is it because we’re passive aggressive? Is it because we want the people who are closest to us to understand something we think they missed? Is it “hey look at me”? Is it that we need to say something and choose a bag or a top to do it when words fail us? Are we just showing off?
Is it all of the above?
I have such items just like pretty much everyone. I wear them proudly and to amuse myself, not other people. I have a top with Mr T on it that says “Shut Up Fool!” and I wore it during the 3rd round of redundancy talks. I have a badge which declares that I like poetry, long walks and poking dead things with a stick, I have another top that says Try to Keep Up and one which pokes fun at people who think pepper spray and bells will deter grizzlies. One of my faves simply has an owl on it and the words “Couldn’t Give a Hoot”. I wore it when security at airports had gone bananas in the wake of 9/11 and queues were practically snaking out of the airport. I was going on holiday so no need to get bent out of shape when the authorities were trying to do the right thing, however overboard they went about it. It was tedious but my declaration of intent was appreciated by passport control, security and passengers alike! It lightened the mood.
So back to the “Winner”… She did look like someone who really wanted (needed?)to live up to the statement on her chest. And in that brief moment, I felt sorry for her.
Would you think me aggressive for my Mr T top? Am I funny because of the top about grizzly bear crap that smells like pepper spray and has bells in it? Does Try to Keep Up mean I think I’m superior in some way…? I just have a sense of humour – that’s it and that’s all. No deep and meaningful discoveries here, at least I don’t think so. But….
When someone who looks downtrodden and probably is downtrodden wears a top that says “Winner”, it means something. If they aren’t downtrodden and look far from it, it could be deemed arrogance. Sometimes the message is a challenge or begs a comment: I hate God, Insert Here, Bite Me, I Believe in the Right to Bear Arms or Free Palestine. Either way, the wearer has something to say – but mostly it’s to a bunch of strangers.
Do we wear these things because we want other people to “get” a small part of who we are? Do we subconsciously hope to cross paths with similar souls and start a conversation? If you’re wearing a Bite Me or Insert Here t-shirt in a club or bar however, you know what you’re gonna get and conversation isn’t it!!
But seriously, we’re communicating non-verbally but very obviously and sometimes I wonder why. If this was Victorian, even Edwardian England, such a practice would be frowned upon – to wear one’s heart upon one’s sleeve, oh no!
Perhaps we do it to liberate our psyche, inflict our selves upon the world, with no need at all for acceptance and caring less about your judgement.
I dunno. I’m just thinking out loud.
Drops of Sanity 
It’s funny that you address this. I always hesitate to buy such items, even if I think the top is absolutely adorable or hilarious. I just don’t care to be that human billboard. However, I did cave in on this one top that said, “No boyfriend, no problems” and had an arrow going through a heart in the middle. I bought it for an all-girls vacation this summer. I guess I was brandishing a bit of cynicism, while saying “I’m unattached” and also relaying that it’s better that way. Mostly, I thought it was cute and matter-of-fact… and it fit great, which was the final selling point. As it was, that little tee sparked more conversations and garnered far more nods of approval than I could have imagined. I was rather amused that it had become quite the attention-getter. I haven’t worn it since, knowing that essentially it is rather rude and pessimistic (neither of which I am).
Following my trip, I was given another such t-shirt. My mom (who is a bit more “earthy” than I) purchased a “Broke” tee that was too small for her, so she gave it to me. I tried to softly decline, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. I pick up this item ever so often, look at it and shake my head… wondering, who in the world would want to walk around advertising themselves as “Broke”… whether it’s true or not? I’m not a prideful person, but that just seems self-depreciating to me. I’m sure that shirt would be funny to someone else, but not me. Funny how I can semi-embrace relationship bashing, but turn my nose up to saying my pockets are empty, especially since I’m sure no one else cares one way or the other. Lol
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Yep, you get exactly where I’m coming from with this train of thought. I too hesitate to buy statement t-shirts, especially if I am pissed at someone or about something – the feeling will pass and I’ll have wasted my money!
But sometimes I do buy them and it’s all about humour. I could have bought a dozen tops that declared I was divorced in a passive aggressive manner – but why? I think if you have to shout about something like that, there’s a hollow and maybe even bitter place inside and it’s like you said, “brandishing cynicism”.
If we were ok with being alone, we wouldn’t need to shout about it – the whole “methinks you doth protest too much” angle….
I agree with you about the “Broke” t-shirt. Why on earth would anyone choose to advertise that they are broke and yes, so what who really cares, but then again WHY?! I don’t see the humour in it. I’m not proud either and what you see is what you get – but wearing a top that says “Broke”? Not for me.
Maybe “If it ain’t broke…” : )
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