This week I have seen two young men on the train with Official Baseball Hats. I know this, because they'd left the stickers on the brims. Neither looked at all 'cool,' putting me in mind of Minnie Pearl instead - unwilling to remove any of the decoration, including the price tag, from her hat. Minnie, of course, was the stage persona of a talented, savvy woman. These sad young men were searching for acceptance and admiration from a holographic sticker. Proof that they had the cash to buy, or the cajones to steal, the Real Thing, to be part of a professional team, a powerful and popular institution.
I know women who love burberry. Ugly plaid, I think, although quite distinctive. I see it all over the place, and think of those who sport it - how pretentious. How status conscious. What do they think other's think? Do they imagine I notice their pricey item, and envy them? Proof, in my mind, that we never really know what is in another mind. Neither mockery nor admiration.
I discovered that a certain brand name designer really does make clothes that are flattering on me, because of a discount store I have access to these days. I like the quality, well sewn, soft durable fabric. I cut off labels, and hide the prestige. Is this better? I am not sure, although I will wear these clothes when I am home alone as often as when I am in public.
D has expressed dismay at his own standing, in his mid thirties, compared to fellow grad students who have trod a more common road. They will be managers and administrators. D will not, nor does he want to be, but he still feels... compared is perhaps the word. Floating outside a definable form.
I can appreciate this. I do find some ease in having a recognizable profession. But I know when I say "I'm a surgical nurse," that the image in their minds has little to do with my reality, probably. Like when we tell people we are married, with a relationship that seems little like the stereotypical image of marriage. No house, no car, no kids, what do we think we are playing at? But I refer to him as husband in impersonal social situations - it saves time and effort, and pointless explanation. Shorthand sufficient for the interaction. Simplification to the point of inaccuracy.
I don't know what is really in those young men's minds as they sport their Minnie Pearl decorations. Could they both be making a reference to that Grand Ole Opry star? They may pity drab, unfashionable, aging me, if they even notice me. All I know for sure, is that I am walking my own road, with all my heart. Whilst secretly wearing last year's designer styles.
9 comments:
Always thoughtful writing, Zhoen.
I cut labels off, too. Won't buy anything with a logo on it. (I lie - I bought an orange sweatshirt from a second hand store here which says, in huge white plastic letters WASTE MANAGEMENT. I'm very proud of it)
I think the mid-thirties to forties are a time when there is more pressure about status and external identity than the twenties(still lots of time)or the fifties (when the mortality clock gets loud and priorities shift considerably). I see my 30s/40s friends going through a lot sorting about their careers and remember being much more ambitious then, myself.
And the other labels...husband, wife, lover, daughter, mother, son etc.? Those are pressures, too sometimes, I think. Apply the word and then you know that it will be defined as the hearer defines it - which is sometimes what you mean and often not...
I really enjoyed reading this one. And I don't know if there's a word that really describes the relationship between you and D...although several of your entries suggest something lovely and out of the ordinary.
Curious — how, if you referred to one of the label-wearers as a conformist, it'd be considered an insult.
Excellent post, Zhoen.
A career counselor at the school tactfully (?) told me that I had to wear more expensive clothes to work. Not more professional - more expensive. Status sucks.
Pepper,
Shall we take a trip to the posh discount basement? Get some labels, and velcro, and let you put them on all your clothes.
labels and velcro
oooh, I sense a wonderful is somewhat seedy business opportunity here!
The Official Baseball stickers do serve a purpose. Without one I never would have made the astounding connection that an NY baseball cap must be a cap for the NY baseball team. I thought it was just for New York in general!
But have to wonder what other value the sticker conferred on a hat that was probably made in China and definitely sold in England.
The Burberry thing over here has taken a strange social twist by being adopted by 'chavs'. See the commercial impact in the Wikipedia article.
I'm with you on your attitude to all this branded stuff; though I once bought a second-hand Dior coat and used to drape it about rather ostentatiously with it's lining showing. So I am not without sin.
Fascinating.
I know I am label conscious: brooks bros., weejuns, ll bean, dooney burke, ann taylor, talbots, levis, converse, adidas, apple, mozilla, google, haband, gap, ny times, wall street journal,
people's world, south china morning post, indymedia, the hour, fstv, sctv, cbc tv, cbc radio, npr,
democracy now, ss pierce, pepperidge farms...oh yes, and relationships, too...
Hope this was not just some reflex recitation on my part. If it was, let me quickly say I enjoyed your post.
If the goal for us humans is metaphorically to get beyond "labelling" other people and peoples, this particular "dude" (me) has 'a long row to hoe'...
To iterate once again: your post set me to "ponderin".
I have to admit, upon reflection, that I do have a couple of brands about which I am a snob. Macintosh computers, total mac head here. And I am an utter beer snob, only the best, preferably microbrew, will do. Tea as well, but brands matter less.
Chuck,
Setting pondering to spin is the highest praise I can imagine.
Moira,
I can't help but be amused by your self consciousness. You are lovely, and make whatever you wear look stylish. And you don't see it.
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