The Problematic Nature of “Homeless-chic”

Can “homeless-chic” really be a fashion statement? Some higher-end brands seem to think so. 

In recent trends, it seems to be a commonality between luxury brands to mimic the clothes that homeless people wear out of necessity. Named “Poverty-chic” by luxe fashion brands, this line of clothing stirs the pot for the fashion industry. The attire that unhoused people need for reliability, comfort, and affordability turns into a product that the one percent profit from. Designers turn overly distressed, baggy clothing into a fashion craze that the upper-class pays top dollar for.

Photo: Pinterest

What may seem like a no-brainer problematic trend to some is clearly not for a few designers. Dior and Yeezy have been releasing “homeless-chic” branded clothing since its emergence in 2010, each design just as insensitive as the last. Models on the runway are sporting clothing items that are overly distressed to appear worn down from use. Going over the top to lace each article with holes and stains to mimic the apparel of those who have been stricken down by poverty, or wearing clothes made of recyclable material meant to mock items that might be found on the streets or in the trash. The upscale brand Yeezy is known for making articles of drab knitwear and distressed, baggy clothing. Pants made of newspaper from Dior were meant to imitate the look of people using the material as cover from nature.  Brands like Golden Goose made popular pre-scuffing or dirtying shoes before they hit the shelves for hundreds of dollars. All of these companies corner the market for the worn-in look and use it to captialize off of real-world issues.

Photo: Pinterest

While these designers claim that their work is meant to be an artistic representation of real-life, this line of apparel is a gross misrepresentation of homeless people. As more and more luxury attire is released to make earnings from actual situations that people go through, it takes away from their hardships and makes them into a trend. The irony behind the rich who can afford to purchase these high-end brands that make clothes to impersonate the hardships of poverty, paying thousands to appear destitute, is laughable. Creating an income from situations that these designers have never been through is not art: it’s a tasteless trend that never should have been introduced in the first place.

XOXO, The Fashion Stock Market