The Horrific Nature of Homeless Chic

Image Courtesy: Strike Magazine Tallahassee

Homelessness is a massive problem worldwide. Just within the United States, there are around half a million people living without a home, which may not seem like a lot compared to the country’s population of 300 million. If you talk to anyone over the age of 15, they’ll likely tell you they’ve been asked by a homeless person for money or seen one sleeping on the street or a park bench. It is frighteningly common in the richest country in the world to see people unable to afford necessities and barely managing to get by. Since the homeless often cannot afford clean, well-fitting clothes, they are often seen with worn, baggy clothing that the fashion industry has appropriated with a new style called “homeless chic.”

This “style” of clothing gained popularity in the late 2010s and emulates the attire many homeless are seen wearing on the streets. What homeless people wear is because of practicality, availability, affordability, and ideally, comfort, while those who wear the same clothes for “homeless chic,” do so for the sake of vanity, and class status- this style of attire is often expensive. An example of this is the sneakers released by French luxury fashion house, Maison Margiela, which sported a “deconstructed aesthetic” with intentionally worn soles and stains that on retail cost over $1,100. In this and many other instances, “homeless chic” fashion items were met with backlash, and rightly so.

Unfortunately, the backlash hasn’t stopped homeless chic from becoming prevalent, as the generally acknowledged start of homeless chic began over 20 years ago with the 2000 couture collection for Christian Dior. Designed by Gibraltarian-Spanish fashion designer John Galliano, (who is now the creative director of Maison Margiela), this collection was inspired by the people Galliano had seen while jogging in France, wearing clothing that was ripped and aged to look worn and unclean. This collection gained positive reception, and it seemed that other famous figures and fashion companies took notice and began creating their own “poverty chic” lines.

Image Courtesy: @TheLifeofEllie7 via Twitter

Ye (formerly known as Kanye West),now-disgraced rapper and fashion designer, began collaborating with American clothing retailer Gap, to release a more affordable line from his Yeezy brand of clothing with sportswear manufacturer Adidas. It has gotten to the point where earlier this year, Ye posted on his Instagram an image of white text on a black background that said, “Look to the children Look to the homeless As the biggest inspiration for all design.” Ye is no stranger to “homeless chic” as his notoriously expensive Yeezy brand of clothing is known for selling drab-looking, intentionally hole-filled, and ill-fitting clothing.

The plight of homeless people around the world is not something that should be reduced to as an aesthetic choice for the wealthy, in essence, minimizing the struggle and adversity the homeless face every day. It apparently also doesn’t strike these fashion designers as ironic that the very people who live in extravagance and comfort are paying top dollar just to look like they can’t afford to feed themselves. It’s either that or they just don’t care. Regardless, it shows an incredible lack of empathy or self-awareness for those that are less fortunate than them.

Strike Out,

Writer: Matias Civita

Editor: Racquel Gluckstern

Graphic Designer: Margaux Campion

Tallahassee