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How should socialists dress?
Living in a capitalist world is quite hard for a socialist. Most of us don't want to conform to capitalist norms. But what should we do about the way we dress? Wearing a suit is, at least in my opinion, very capitalist and it really helps the capitalist system perpetuate the symbolic power it has over the people, sport coats(or blazers, whatever) tend to look upper class and even the jeans and T-shirt shtick is incredibly imperialistic and american by it's nature and history.
What are we left with? Sweaters? We seriously lack an alternative for current dress codes. What are we supposed to wear when a suit is required and we don't want to get kicked out(by fascists, I might add).
As you can see, the above post has been written from a male perspective, because I want to clarify something for myself, I don't mind if you talk about female clothing, too.
I believe any leftist, or anyone reallly should dress the way they're most comfortable. I, personally am most comfortable dressing like a metalhead with goth and punk influences. Often I wear all black clothing, and dark colors. I mostly wear black pants, and band T shirts, but I also wear very nice black dress shirts.
A socialist should dress how they feel most appropriate and comfortable which depends on that persons tastes, mood, et cetera.
I believe a socialist should dress only after checking the "Made In" tag. Labor laws are always in style.
So we would end up wearing... nothing. There's private property, there's alienated labour and exploitation.
"We have seen: a social revolution possesses a total point of view because – even if it is confined to only one factory district – it represents a protest by man against a dehumanized life" - Marx
"But to push ahead to the victory of socialism we need a strong, activist, educated proletariat, and masses whose power lies in intellectual culture as well as numbers." - Luxemburg
fka the greatest Czech player of all time, aka Pavel Nedved
Socialism isn't (shouldn't be) a lifestyle, so...
I'm on some sickle-hammer shit
Collective Bruce Banner shit
FKA: #FF0000, AKA Mistake Not My Current State Of Joshing Gentle Peevishness For The Awesome And Terrible Majesty Of The Towering Seas Of Ire That Are Themselves The Milquetoast Shallows Fringing My Vast Oceans Of Wrath
We must all dress in dashikis and berets.
Burlap sacks.
Like our barbarian ancestors before us, we shall ride into battle and besiege the walls of Empire butt-naked.
"It is slaves, struggling to throw off their chains, who unleash the movement whereby history abolishes masters." - Raoul Vaneigem
"Communism is for us not a state of affairs which is to be established, an ideal to which reality will have to adjust itself. We call communism the real movement which abolishes the present state of things." - Karl Marx
"What distinguishes reform from revolution is not that revolution is violent, but that it links insurrection and communisation." - Gilles Dauvé
Except in the real world not everyone can afford to buy clothes that aren't made cheaply overseas. Should we be looking down on working-class socialists because they wear cheap Primark clothes, for instance?Originally Posted by adipocere
Coalition of Resistance - Fight Back Against the Cuts!
"As for the lad "Sam_b", I've been reading this forum for a while and I don't think I've ever seen him contribute anything of any value. Most of the chap's posts seem to be confrontational and snarky digs at other posters. Thankfully, most other contributors do not seem to behave in this manner." - Some Guy
I don't think Karl and Engels put much thought in that... Basically, it doesn't matter. And since communism is the complete emancipation, it is also emancipation from slavery to fashion
Right now we shouldn't push too far. I have a moustache with a soul patch. Look like a musketeer. I've waited years for it to be acceptable without people pointing their fingers at me (because I want to be myself, but not bothered...).
I personally dress "smart". Especially in my society it doesn't say too much, maybe that you're going to a wedding or something. But I'm always like that. Because I like it. I think it's "my style" now that people recognise, because they used to say that it's cool on me, and also surprising when I just go downstairs for a smoke. Now it's natural, as should be (if you're like me, and don't like radical changes for yourself too often).
By the way, generally wearing anything somewhat formal can be nice, if it looks good on you, not too expensive, and if you live in a society where people would think you're a weirdo rather a bourgeois wannabe guy. It's always better when people just assume you're individually crazy, and not crazy in a way that you ideologically oppose.
Any damn way we like.
This is how a real leftist dresses:
But seriously, dress how you like. Socialism isn't a lifestyle choice, it's not a fashion statement. Personally, I own a suit and several ties. I own flannel shirts, jeans, several pairs of slacks, many T shirts, many button down shirts.
I have a diverse selection of clothing as different situations might call for a different outfit. I wear a US navy surplus peacoat during the winter with long sleeve dress shirts and jeans, and plaid shorts with flip flops and sunglasses in the summer.
Ultimately, who cares?
I do tend to avoid logos on my clothing though. It just irks me and makes me feel like a billboard.
"Phil Spector is haunting Europe." - Karl Marx
And long as society heaves a collective shrug, there always will be. You can't avoid it, certainly, but you can make a point not to feed the machine more than necessary and make a point to support manufacturers in places that at least have some protections.
I honestly can't imagine a stronger "socialist" fashion statement you could make than going out of your way to avoid buying from slave drivers. What the hell else would be the point? Being socialist isn't just youth pop culture that you can go to your local hot topic and buy your way into. Maybe I just don't understand the point of the thread, maybe this is about looking(?) socialist, without all the hassle of thinking and effort.
http://humaneeducation.org/blog/2013...p-free-closet/
Fuck it. This is why some socialists don't get laid, isn't it?
It really doesn't matter. Sometimes people think being a socialist means you have to look like some social pariah, and that pisses me off a bit because I feel like it can turn off some potential comrades who aren't familiar with whatever subculture you're dressing for. Personal prejudice though, in the grand scheme of things it's a pretty minor issue. As was said, it's not a lifestyle choice and not everyone can afford to buy "friendly" clothes
Congratulations at being in the economic position to be able to do that. It isn't the case for everyone else.Originally Posted by adipocere
Coalition of Resistance - Fight Back Against the Cuts!
"As for the lad "Sam_b", I've been reading this forum for a while and I don't think I've ever seen him contribute anything of any value. Most of the chap's posts seem to be confrontational and snarky digs at other posters. Thankfully, most other contributors do not seem to behave in this manner." - Some Guy
Oh man, I'd really love to wear clothes not made by Bangladeshi slaves, but I also do love to eat, and paying my bills and my rent is pretty nice too.
i usually dress pretty badly (outsize t-shirts and jeans) but the clothes i like wearing best are my "smart" clothes simply because they fit best. If it helps any, most of my smarter clothes are passed-down from some of my male relatives (my best suit is from the late fifties afaik, it used to be my grandad's.)
Huge red stars and hammers and sickles on everything,pictures of your favorite communist(Mao,Lenin,Stalin) on your watch and as a wallpaper on your phone.
On a serious note, however they want and can afford.
This is ridiculous...
