SHOCKER -- "Grunge" & "Goth" are out, "Preppy" is in -- What Happens When the NYT Comments on Cultural Trends

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Student Chic Is Remaking Itself, Trading Grunge for Cable Knit
By TRACIE ROZHON
August 16, 2004
Last year, Benjamin Spoer, a college sophomore in Berkeley, Calif., was just another grungy teenager, with his long hair, dirty jeans and favorite black T-shirt with a gory red bird on the front. Now he is transformed. He has cut his hair, and in a couple of weeks, he plans to go shopping for some blue button-down shirts.
He threw the bird T-shirt away.
"The guys at school used to come to class in T-shirts with four-letter words on them,'' he said. "Now they wear clothes from Gap and American Eagle. Since grunge is starting to fade away, they're going with what's out there.''
Maybe young people are getting more sophisticated, or maybe they are just getting bored. But from kindergarten to college, America's students are cleaning up their acts. And while they do not generally want their fall fashions to be labeled "preppy" - they insist they are putting their own twist on the look - they say styles are definitely getting simpler.
Goth is also out. The numbers have plummeted at Hot Topic, a clothing chain that was the darling of the spooky, blood-and-darkness Goth crowd...

THANK CHRIST

Still, read the rest of the article for more fun, obviously newsworthy bits about how "...students are 'taking themselves a little more seriously; they're thinking a little more of the image they're projecting...'"

also, quite surprising that fashion trends rotate in a 20-year cycle, huh?

― Lt. Kingfish Del Pickles (Kingfish), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

grunge is starting to fade away

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 16 August 2004 21:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Wasn't this a David Brooks Atlantic article from like three years ago? Blah blah Generation Y is more "serious" than its older siblings blah blah.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:05 (twenty-one years ago)

haha sales of hoobastank, yellowcard, alter bridge, nickleback, et al suggest otherwise

― jess, Monday, 16 August 2004 21:09 (twenty-one years ago)

It's like you fantasize what would happen if the toilets in the NYT suddenly backed up and everyone was covered with shit, and you laughed.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Yep. David Brooks, "The Organization Kid," The Atlantic Monthly, April 2001:

...Walk through any mall in America. Browse through the racks at Old Navy and Abercrombie & Fitch and the Gap. The colors are bright and chipper. The sales staff is peppy. The look is vaguely retro—upbeat 1962 pre-assassination innocence. The Gap's television ads don't show edgy individualists; they show perky conformists, a bunch of happy kids all wearing the same clothes and all swing-dancing the same moves.

In short, at the top of the meritocratic ladder we have in America a generation of students who are extraordinarily bright, morally earnest, and incredibly industrious. They like to study and socialize in groups. They create and join organizations with great enthusiasm. They are responsible, safety-conscious, and mature. They feel no compelling need to rebel—not even a hint of one. They not only defer to authority; they admire it. "Alienation" is a word one almost never hears from them. They regard the universe as beneficent, orderly, and meaningful. At the schools and colleges where the next leadership class is being bred, one finds not angry revolutionaries, despondent slackers, or dark cynics but the Organization Kid.

― jaymc, Monday, 16 August 2004 21:10 (twenty-one years ago)

so Brooks is a Bill Clinton fan?

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:15 (twenty-one years ago)

this is what happens on mondays when journos are too bored/lazy to dig up something worthwhile...like, say, Bush Admin efforts to stimy publication of unsafe vehicle info...

― Lt. Kingfish Del Pickles (Kingfish), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:16 (twenty-one years ago)

"stymie"

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:34 (twenty-one years ago)

(sorry, kneejerk reaction)

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:35 (twenty-one years ago)

the latimes had a similar article regarding hot topic's inability to compete with the new preppy trend. i thought the trend was shitty mallpunk. shouldnt hot topic be all over that?

― bill stevens (bscrubbins), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:41 (twenty-one years ago)

So, is having a job going to become popular now?

― dean? (deangulberry), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Sellouts.

― Mr. Tony Plow (Leee), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Lisa Carver to thread.

― Monetizing Eyeballs (diamond), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I would take a "peppy" trend over "preppy" any day. I could use some of that.

― dean? (deangulberry), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

and all swing-dancing the same moves.

dude that commerical was on in 1999!

― kyle (akmonday), Monday, 16 August 2004 21:54 (twenty-one years ago)

STOP TALKING ABOUT DAVID BROOKS. NOTHING HE HAS EVER SAID OR WRITTEN HAS CARRIED AN OUNCE OF MERIT. DAVID BROOKS IS WHAT THE NOUVEAU BOURGEOUSIE READ TO MAKE THEM THINK THEY UNDERSTAND THE OTHER NOUVEAU BOURGEOUSIE, AND READING DAVID BROOKS AND THINKING THAT ANYTHING HE SAYS HAS ANY MERIT OR VALIDITY AT ALL IS THE "WEARING A TANK TOP PRINTED WITH A ONE-LINER IMPLYING THAT YOU ARE SHALLOW AND PROMISCUOUS" OF WHITE PEOPLE IN THE LOWER RUNGS OF DUBYA'S FAVORITE TAX BRACKET. I HATE DAVID BROOKS AND KIND OF WISH HE WAS DEAD. DAVID BROOKS' WRITING IS REALLY NOT ANY DIFFERENT THAN THAT VILLAGE VOICE COLUMN ABOUT WHITE GIRLS HAVING BIG ASSES EXCEPT HIS TOPICS ARE MORE BORING AND TRIVIAL.

GOD OH JESUS I HATE THE SHIT OUT OF DAVID BROOKS AND MY WORKPLACE IS PISSING ME OFF FUCK SHIT ASS.

― TOMBOT, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, this is the New York Times we are talking about. During the heyday of grunge they were fooled into publishing a bogus list of Seattle slang, and the more I hear about the NYT the more I suspect that the credulous people are still there.

― j.lu (j.lu), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:51 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.gemm.nl/webgemms/jayson--blair.jpg

(that said I still read it)

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:52 (twenty-one years ago)

TOMBOT OTM

"The sales staff is peppy." Are they David? Are they really?

― ENRQ (Enrique), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Wasn't this happening in like 1998?

― ())(())()()()(()(LASER)()()()()()()()()(()()()()(()()()()) (ex machina), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:54 (twenty-one years ago)

haven't there been preppies since, like, forever?

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:55 (twenty-one years ago)

If this was a public place I'm afraid you'd all be some dead motherfuckin' innocent bystanders right now, cuz this article needs to DIE.

― CeCe Peniston (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Wake me up when somebody writes the enthusiastic "fascism is back!" piece.

― CeCe Peniston (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:57 (twenty-one years ago)

ihttp://www.geocities.com/savedbythebellcollectibles/ComicIssue1PhotoCoverMayMedium.JPG

― ENRQ (Enrique), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:57 (twenty-one years ago)

i'd really like a tank top with a one liner proclaiming that i am shallow and promiscuous. if anyone makes me one and mails it to me, i'll wear it to the next FAP.

― colette (a2lette), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

GIRLZ BUMS R LUSH

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 14:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Yup, that was the Styles section, thanks to a quick thinking & bored employee at Sub Pop who answered the phone one day.

see here for some more info

"grunge lexicon" turns up some interesting Google search results

― Lt. Kingfish Del Pickles (Kingfish), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 14:05 (twenty-one years ago)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/rachael_lynn/live%20journal/m_KhakisandCargos11.jpg

― erik, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 15:32 (twenty-one years ago)

argh is that makeoutclub for preppies?!?!?!

― ())(())()()()(()(LASER)()()()LA(Z)E(R)()()()((L)()()(A)(S(E)R()()()) (ex machina, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 15:33 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG WTF CAN PREPPY GIRLZ HAVE TEH BIG ASSES? OMG???!!!!!!!

― Allyzay Science Explosion (allyzay), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 15:45 (twenty-one years ago)

preppy stylez rule!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 16:15 (twenty-one years ago)

HAS ANYONE NOTICED THE ALARMING NUMBER OF NYC TURDS WEARING POLO SHIRTS WITH THE COLLARS FLIPPED UP?? IS THIS SOME KIND OF PREPPY HIPSTER IRONY SHIT BECAUSE ALL THEY NEED ARE SOME SUNGLASSES HANGING FROM THEIR NECKS ON NEON CORDS TO COMPLETE THE LOOK.

(I needed to use the caps for that because seriously, it's out of fucking control up in this city.)

― Je4nne ƒury (Jeanne Fury), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 16:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I dont think this phenomenon is isolated to nyc. this posh kid who used to work at my firm here in LA would only rock the polo with the collar flipped up.

― bill stevens (bscrubbins), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 16:26 (twenty-one years ago)

polo shirt with collar flipped up, in scotland = lad wear.

― cºzen (Cozen), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 16:27 (twenty-one years ago)

(ok, not LAD, ned. own petard &c.)

― cºzen (Cozen), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 16:28 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a hideous growing epidemic here.

― Je4nne ƒury (Jeanne Fury), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

preppy stylez rule!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 16:56 (twenty-one years ago)

People are sheep, film at 11.

― Huck, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

It's good if it's like the preppy look from the cover of Dexy's' 'Don't Stand Me Down'.

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 21:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought Old Navy was still trying to be the poor man's Blue Marlin or Ben Sherman, with their "BKLYN" shirts and shit. Or is that preppy style?

I'm going for the Derélicte look these days.

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 21:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Old Navy is not/never was/never will be preppy. The author is decked out in the latest asshattery.

― sexyDancer, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

A discussion of preppy style and no invocations of "Mary to Thread"? For shame!

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 00:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I happened to be in an Abercrombie and Fitch recently and the dudes were poppin' collars, heavily tanned and makeup-ed.

― artdamages (artdamages), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 00:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh man, this '80s thing is getting crazy. I assumed things were going to be post-apocalyptic in the old-fashioned ripped-shirts and carmats way, but Frat Glam is a clever way to imply the end is near.

― CeCe Peniston (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 00:51 (twenty-one years ago)

that's true, where the hell is Mary?

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 00:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Is this Queer Eye trickledown?

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 01:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Flipped-up collars are the new trucker hat. "Cool people" aren't doing it... Just fucktards who are trying to look cool.

My question is... If preppy is in, how do I rebel? I think I'm going to out-preppy the prepsters. Because I've noticed that most if not all haven't QUITE got it right (as usual).

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 03:06 (twenty-one years ago)

my art teacher in high school flipped up his collar.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 03:07 (twenty-one years ago)

haha

preppy and beardcore...what happens when these two fashion worlds collide?

― artdamages (artdamages), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 03:32 (twenty-one years ago)

because I am usually wearing a polo shirt while looking unkempt.

― artdamages (artdamages), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 03:33 (twenty-one years ago)

DEVENDRA

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 03:34 (twenty-one years ago)

http://music.calarts.edu/~bansuri/images/devendra_emi.jpg

― artdamages (artdamages), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 03:36 (twenty-one years ago)

― iris, Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I have found Friendster/Myspace for the preppy set:

http://www.thefacebook.com/

― ())(())()()()(()(LASER)()()()LA(Z)E(R)()()()((L)()()(A)(S(E)R()()()) (ex machina, Wednesday, 18 August 2004 21:44 (twenty-one years ago)

We have opened up Thefacebook for popular consumption at:

Amherst • BC • Berkeley • Bowdoin • Brown • BU • Bucknell • Caltech • Columbia
Cornell • Dartmouth • Duke • Emory • Georgetown • Hamilton • Harvard • Michigan
Middlebury • MIT • Michigan State • Northeastern • Northwestern • NYU • Oberlin • Princeton
Rice • Rochester • Stanford • Swarthmore • Tufts • Tulane • UCDavis • Chicago
UCLA • UCSB • UCSD • Florida • Illinois • UNC • Penn • USC • UVA • WashU • Wellesley
Wesleyan • Williams • Yale

― ())(())()()()(()(LASER)()()()LA(Z)E(R)()()()((L)()()(A)(S(E)R()()()) (ex machina, Wednesday, 18 August 2004 21:47 (twenty-one years ago)

HAHAHA what, is their home base in Lincoln Park, Chicago?

― Lt. Kingfish Del Pickles (Kingfish), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 22:06 (twenty-one years ago)

three years pass...

who's preppy now, lowlife?
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/10/23/nyregion/chambers_600.1.jpg

― gershy, Wednesday, 24 October 2007 06:29 (eighteen years ago)

I have found Friendster/Myspace for the preppy set:

http://www.thefacebook.com/

-- ())(())()()()(()(LASER)()()()LA(Z)E(R)()()()((L)()()(A)(S(E)R()()()) (ex machina, Wednesday, August 18, 2004 9:44 PM (3 years ago) Bookmark Link

lol

― 31g, Wednesday, 24 October 2007 06:44 (eighteen years ago)

one year passes...

Leatherfairy,
East Anglia 13/11/2008 14:23:53
I must say that there is a tendency amongst Trendies or Townies, to view women who are dressed in a way that is not seen as provocative in the Goth world, as some direct form of suggestive sexual invitation and it is a disgraceful attitude which is why at any Goth event, there should be a strict dress code to deter those of of a dissimilar culture from attitude from attending.
I do feel however that there is an increasing tendency particularly from individuals who are employed from out side Whitby to insure the compliant behavior of festival goers and hangers on, to become over familiar with the individual Goths and misunderstanding the collective consciences of the culture, to show their contempt of their life style which also appears to be linked to some resentment of their personnel financial position..
My personnel experience was ,to be spoken to in a snide, aggressive ,derogatory and patronizing manner by a door man who said to me ,"So what happened when you left here last night,got p.....d off your f.......ing head then" where after, he swaggered towards someone who was standing near the door way and uttered with the utmost emphasis "T..T " whilst doing so.
I am a polite sociable person and I have always spoken to the door men on the various venues that I have been to and with out a doubt, I have got on with them and in doing so I have always felt that there has been mutual respect between us,that is of course,before this particular incident.
Like all the Goths who go to the various festivals in both the UK and Germany ,I have to go with out in order to finance my cultural interests and what I do with my money when I get there is my concern and as long as my habits do not infringe upon the peaceful enjoyment of others, then no one has a right to comment about my activities, let alone abuse me for them.
I have been considering the question as to whether or not, it is time for me to stop going to Whitby for there is a multitude on

― tron, Saturday, 15 November 2008 21:33 (seventeen years ago)

I went to see Peter Murphy in a white t-shirt and jeans

― Funky Buddha Lounge (Curt1s Stephens), Saturday, 15 November 2008 22:28 (seventeen years ago)

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