I have heard about the tribute to the original punk sources and their desire to reject contemporary society, but the people wearing this stuff are your everyday person in the street who would not undertake any other rebel punk symbolic activity.
Have a look at this.
Are these fashionable? Would you buy a pair if they looked like this. Would you want a pair like this? Probably not because the rip is asymmetric and is the sign of wear and tear. They are my gardening jeans, and I would not dream of leaving the house with them on.........at the moment. If anyone want to make me an offer.........
The deliberate distressing and mutilation of clothing ceases to have any symbolic meaning when it becomes part of the popular culture. A bit like swearing: when it is all around you the impact vanishes.
Some women have said it is sexy. I could not say one way or another, but clearly if a woman wears clothes that adds to the exposure of her skin/what is underneath, then she is sending out a message. It is OK to look and think what you want to think.
The mutilation of clothing (and I also include tops here) is a sign of the decay of normal common sense values. Because it is so widespread, I no longer register the wearer as a rebel, but more of a mindless conformist. It does not look good and its passage cannot come quick enough for me.
BTW, if you want to buy my jeans.........
