Wearing a band's t-shirt to one of their concerts: Classic or Dud?

(I’ve also explained why I specifically find it cringe-y, and it sounds like you’re saying, “No, you’re having a class-specific reaction, let me not explain it...”)

the link describes what some of the markers are, and how/where the Swans example and the "Troll Hair don't care" example would fit

I think my impression of Fussell's Class was that poetry scholars don't necessarily do the best sociology.

also, as individuals embedded in, or products of socio-economic classes, we are going to have class-specific reactions to things ... it's not like I'm saying you're racist and/or a bad person.

I guess you’ll have to take my word that the only difference I would infer about parents dressing those kids in those two shirts is that one likes the idea of advertising that they‘re into the Swans.

I'm also not clear on what the link says about Swans shirts, though.xps

I think my impression of Fussell's Class was that poetry scholars don't necessarily do the best sociology.

― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Sunday, February 16, 2020 10:47 AM (two minutes ago)

hahah -- fair point! There is definitely overlap between Fussell and Bourdieu fwiw

The legibility of messages on clothes is an important factor. The more legible the messages, the lower the class. Middle classes will wear things that they consider tasteful or “classy”, and thus are legible with the messages of taste and low key branding. Class signs and indicators are thus broadcast.

Are Swans tasteful or classy?

We are such fans of your music and all of your records. I'm not speaking of yours personally, but the whole genre of the rock and roll.

xp - in the context of children's wear, I would say yes, esp. if we are talking about the standard Swans album cover design that's like white text on a black background. Also, it shows a certain class anxiety, which is probably what the posters like morrisp are picking up on and finding annoying. Troll Hair babby is definitely prole. Cute denim jacket with patches of metal bands is also most likely prole. Ramones "RnR high school" babby, could be prole, but is likely middle class, because it is a "classic" design.

Full disclosure: my child is the only member of the family who has any interest in Swans whatsoever.

Full disclosure: I do not have children.

Prole Hair Don’t Care: Tracing Class Markers in Unlicensed Animated Character T-Shirts

This is a photo I took of the handbag of an approx 75 y/o woman in Guangzhou

https://i.imgur.com/ovPw4Vw.jpg

Descendents logo would look cute on a kid's shirt tbh

also funny because the kid is a literal descendent of the person that clothed them!

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/9e/72/359e7287f8db1269c125cea45ddcfc52.jpg

middle class ^^

Pretentious is a loaded, abused term and I regret using it, yeah. Maybe edge lord vs. non edge lord is appropriate here. A kid wearing a Brian Eno shirt would be cute and I wouldn’t hate the parents for it. Seriously not a class thing from my perspective.

The connection between these things and socioeconomic class usually seems tenuous to me, although I am interested when someone is providing actual social science research (something I don't recall much of in Fussell but it was admittedly a while ago and I didn't make it the whole way through).

I try to not wear a band shirt for the band I am seeing. It feels strange.

There are exceptions: Wearing a classic shirt to see a band is fun. I saw the Supersuckers a couple years ago and wore a shirt I picked up at the Sub-Pop offices when visiting Seattle back in the early '90s. Wearing an authentic Kill 'Em All For One tour shirt to see Metallica would be very cool, if a bit smug.

Also, there was the Motorhead exception (which is mentioned above) that has become the Slayer exception (not sure who will take the mantle now that they are done).

Fussell was definitely not data-driven social science, definitely on the observational and descriptive side. ... Probably in the current age of big data and more purchases being made by credit card and online, it would be theoretically easier to research using more scientific methods

You can just sit around at Disneyland, and see all these various T-shirts being worn within the actual same families.

I guess you’ll have to take my word that the only difference I would infer about parents dressing those kids in those two shirts is that one likes the idea of advertising that they‘re into the Swans.

“likes the idea of advertising that they’re” jesus I’m done

When someone wears a band T-shirt, are they not advertising that they are into the band?

Some just buy them for cosmetic purposes

I love when you say "love your shirt, <band> rocks" and they look confused, not realizing what they're wearing

Oh yeah, that happened when I asked a 13yo about her Foreigner shirt. She did know they were a band tbf.

Was she a foreigner though?

Her family lives in the boonies but they drive a fancy-looking car. Not sure about their level of earnestness or insecurity. xp no

I've known people who told me they buy band shirts regardless of fandom.

Baffling to me as i have strict rules about whose shirts i will wear

I asked a kid at school recently about her Iron Maiden shirt. Her whole being shrieked 'please don't ask me, I don't know!' at me, so I left it.

They're selling Maiden shirts in Primark, man.

Did she say she was just a teenage dirtbag baby?

Lol

That's funny, I feel like I've definitely seen multiple Maiden shirts lately