As you have probably noticed, the latest trend in hardcore is to start your own clothing company. Many people including famous hardcore musicians, are dwelling in new territory by launching clothing lines that represent the famous hardcore aesthetic (whatever that may be). Perhaps it's the next step to take; during the 90s and 00s, people started their own record labels, but now that buying CDs is dying and everyone is downloading, creating a clothing company seems like a better choice to make if you want to stay invloved in hardcore in some way other than music. Today, we'll take a look at 1981 Straight Edge Clothing.
Let's not lie to ourselves: the 'dress' part has always played an important role in hardcore - it's just something we can't deny and partly are to blame for (we, as fans). Bands and people have always used aesthetics as a way to set themselves apart from the rest of society - and even other music subcultures like metal or punk. Is it a crime to define yourself through style and outside appearance? I don't know. Nevertheless, even if you're the anti-consumerist hardcore type, isn't it better to buy from a relatively small hardcore clothing company than from the big conglomerates that are always the most common choice?
Let's not lie to ourselves: the 'dress' part has always played an important role in hardcore - it's just something we can't deny and partly are to blame for (we, as fans). Bands and people have always used aesthetics as a way to set themselves apart from the rest of society - and even other music subcultures like metal or punk. Is it a crime to define yourself through style and outside appearance? I don't know. Nevertheless, even if you're the anti-consumerist hardcore type, isn't it better to buy from a relatively small hardcore clothing company than from the big conglomerates that are always the most common choice?
In any case, a pretty straight way to define oneself is to go and buy a t-shirt or hoodie with a big 'DRUG FREE' logo on it. What better way to stand out than choose a strong philosophy with an anti social message such as not drinking and rep it through your everyday clothing? Such clothes you can find on the 1981 Straight Edge Clothing store. These guys got everything from t-shirts to hoodies to all kinds of sXe accessories like hats, gloves and headbands. They've made a nice business that looks better than most of the stuff at your local mall.
Hardcore clothing lines: Friends or foes?
I know that a lot of people -and especially some dedicated straight edge fellas I know- would see this as a cheap move to cash in on hardcore, straight edge and its values. But then again, most of these people have spent so much money on hardcore that they can't really speak about consumerism (sometimes I think I am one of them). I guess it's a "hate the game, not the player" type scenario.
And remember: we don't necessarily support it here at TYS, we just show what's up.
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