Why is the Bum Look Popular? (formally the unemployed look)

[MK]

I have noticed over the past several years that some people think you are cool if you look unemployed. If your clothes look like they were bought at a thrift store or garage sale and look as though they were never designed to go together or fit. If your hair looks messy and haven't shaved for days....then you look cool?!?!?

I don't get it. Here are some examples of the unemployed look:



Here is a real panhandler:



What is the difference?

[Luke 42]

In general, I agree with you. I don't get it either why being unshaved and unkempt is suppossed to be cool..it just looks sloppy

BUT: To defend Ewan McGregor This foto is from the Davidoff adventure eau de toilette advertisement. I think it is supposed to look like he's been hiking or such activities for some days or week, so I think it is an appropriate look. Not so if he would be sportin such attire and beard in the city.



Why there is such a thing as an adventure eau de toilette is another topic

EDIT: He sure can do better ;-) http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/i...r-Moulin_l.jpg

[KeyGrip]

There are probably a lot of reasons we could come up with. The differences I see are necessity and effort. Some of my peers, that elusive 18-25 demographic, seem to think that everything they do should look effortless. They can't look like they're trying to do anything. Also why I see so many untucked shirts and unbuttoned vests.

There is also the issue of necessity. I guess there is some sort of cachet in looking like that, especially when you don't have to. Those people want to look like the guy on the bottom, but never want to be him.

Just my $.02

[randooch]

Did you pay that panhandler for the use of his image? Little does he know, he's famous now!

But to ponder your question, I think the same "fashion" trend that gave us baggy, falling down pants and facial tattoos is at work here: it's an in-your-face, finger salute to society and all its strictures. I hope to heck the pendulum swings the other way soon.

[Vanessa]

What is the difference?

One is Ewan McGregor and the other. . .is not.

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

One is Ewan McGregor and the other. . .is not.

Yeah. Basically. Oh and, he doesn't look dirty.

[Miss Neecerie]

Yeah. Basically. Oh and, he doesn't look dirty.

Agreed. The jeans are neat and tidy, the shirt is clean, the scarf is white and neatly around neck.

Yes, its casual. But it does not even come close to 'unemployed bum'

This does not -bother- me at all as a look.

I suspect maybe its just that I have more things to do or worry about then what the rest of the universe does with fashion.

[B. F. Socaspi]

Did you pay that panhandler for the use of his image? Little does he know, he's famous now!

But to ponder your question, I think the same "fashion" trend that gave us baggy, falling down pants and facial tattoos is at work here: it's an in-your-face, finger salute to society and all its strictures. I hope to heck the pendulum swings the other way soon.

Whoa whoa whoa now. No need to lot tattoos in with a bad sense of style. Tattoos are works of art. Not shaving is a matter of laziness.

[Hemingway Jones]

I hate to disagree with you, and I so rarely do, but that is one of my favorite portraits of Ewan McGregor and one of my favorite shots in general. I think he looks confident, engaging, adventurous, and interesting. The scarf is a nice touch and worn well.

This pic expresses who this fellow appears to be. -I say appears because I wonder how much of any celebrity's actions and persona are their own.- Here's a fellow who rode his motorcycle from the UK to the southern tip of Africa and in this photo, he looks like a man intense enough for that sort of adventure.

I dig it. I think it's cool. It's certainly not a Lounge look, or a going out to dinner look, but I've seen him well dressed as well.

[MK]

I am not knocking Ewan. I am sure they dressed him for what they wanted. Also they chose this photo out of the others from the shoot.

I don't think he looks confident at all. That expression looks more like discouraged or beat to me....perhaps worried or bewildered.