Confession: Two Things I Think are Cool That Aren’t
Published by Joel September 27th, 2006 in Clothes. Share ThisThe problem with fashion and its ephemeral nature is that there are always looks and products that die before their time. Okay, I’m kidding myself: These things should die, but I can’t help but think they look cool.
Popped Collars - The domain of the privileged, popped collars are two waving pennants signifying you’re the captain of the good ship douchebag. Yet an upturned collar under a high-necked jacket still looks slick to this tired seaman’s eyes.
I know, resist. And I do, but from time to time you’ll find a hint of the pop peeking over the top of my coat. I’m a bad person.
Leather Cuffs - When these things started showing up I remember thinking how awesome it was that everyone had taken up archery. My friend informed me that the cuffs were instead for BDSM acts and that wearing them showed I was willing to be tied up in a dungeon and gone after with a roto-dong. Now I realize that leather cuffs are the Hot Topic way to say “I enjoy an indie music making band but do not yet feel comfortable getting a tattoo,” but guess what? Kinda still neat looking in a suburban barbarian kind of way.
I don’t own any, but yet I don’t have any tattoos, either. A net loss. But then I saw on last weekend’s episode of Weeds that someone was wearing a watch mounted to a thick leather cuff. Does that mean they’re okay again?
I cant stand the layered popup collar. It makes me want to punch faces on the subway. But the leather wristband is cool, even if I dont rock it.
The popped collar will always reek of preppy asshole to me and I can’t get behind it. However, a leather cuff with imbedded watch is something I could probably see without retching.
Ahh yes, the popped collar. Like wearing a sign that says “I think I’m more important than I actually am.”
Got 2 think banded watches. The thick bands just look better to me than the thin straps. Now, if you have any precious metal watch, keep it from being insanely large; yer not a hip-hop star and never will be.
Popped collars will get you a swift kick to the throat, dont do it.
throw the ball Biff. You fucking Yale bastard. Popped collar? Fucking asshole
I have been wearing a cuff watch for several years. It is the most comfortable watch I have ever owned in that it stays the hell in place. Taking the plunge and getting a cuff for the the other arm is somthing that I have not done yet for fear of looking too much like He-Man.
Popped collars? These get the NAH DOG.
Leather cuffs? WTF? You think you’re Jordan Catalano? Might as well rock a leather choker too like Ryan on the first season of the OC (wear that shit in jail and they’ll hang you with it by your ballz.) These also get the NAH DOG.
Now a not too thick leather watch strap like a bund strap with a nice watch, is a different story. Still it’s a sixties throwback.
Popped collars? Horrible. Simply horrible. What’s even worse is that guys who does this actually get laid…so, women, please just say ‘no’ to this fashion (mis)statement.
Maybe if you wore the two together you would not only look like a preppy a-hole, but one that’s gonna kick some ass if someone were to say something. Then you could go to wrestling practice without the harrasment.
Our gastronomic friend Alton Brown frequently rocks the Conan-band watch…not that he is a fashion maven. Sorry Alton.
Sorry, the leather wrist cuff just screams “I’ve got one for my c@&k too!”
For a great video (can’t link from my work computer) search “Those Guys” on YouTube. I will put the vid into the boards when I get to my home computer tonight.
Vocabulary highlights from the video: “Das Uber Geigh” and “Douchebaggery” truly classic and characterizes why, we do in fact, need to rip the throats out of thos bastards with popped collars.
Dont be one of “Those Guys!”
there’s nothing wrong with being a preppy asshole. We’re all assholes in some way or another, being a preppy one is just what type of asshole you want to be. That said, I proudly pop my collar, and I think leather armbands are the worst. I equate it to getting fucked by lars ulrich while he still whines about Napster - in other words, uncool. Here’s the exception to a popped collar - you can layer up to 2. Over 2, and you’re a tool. The second layer MUST be heavier than the first (ie - Polo, and sweater w/ collar on top). If you’re wearing two short-sleeve polos, you’re a tool. Anyway, haters, hate, but it beats wearing a fucking distressed-looking t-shirt that you bought 2 days ago at the local urban outfitters. damn hipsters.
I think the leather strap watch is a different animal all together. I have to say that, because I’m wearing one. And the popped collar … well, it does really scream douchbag, doesn’t it? It has to be a very subtle thing to be pulled off correctly, IMHO.
Wearing a leather cuff watch band screams “I want to look tough but I’m too much of a weenie to do it right.” Throw out the watch and get some proper leather cuffs and garner at little bit of respect from the remainder of the weenies.
The popped collar was popular in the 80s, back when I was just entering the double-digits of aging. There is no place for it at all, which is why I wear this shirt out about town sometimes and get all the looks.
Popped up collars are a sign of a High School preppy boy/girl and to wear them into college or beyond is a clear sign of an immature mind that still thinks they are part of the “cool crowd”. Narcissistic a-holes.
Jimbo sounds like a guy shoved into lockers in High School by preppy boy/girls. Obviously far too mature for me. You know, all I want to be is part of the “cool crowd.” No, really, that’s pretty much my goal in life. Thanks Jimbo for showing me the light of my narcissistic a-hole-ness.
About 5 years ago I would pop my collar because I thought it looked more casual. I thought it looked goofy, but this was before the fad started. I remember only seeing one other person on my campus that did it. It was my macroeconomics proffesor, and he was pushing 65, he looked so casual coming into class, and I liked it. So I followed, like a tool. And 3 years later it was suddenly everywhere - and “proudly” being done by assholes. Then I stopped. Preppy ones who walked around making sure their head was lifted higher than there collar. After seeing this, I never considered lifting it again. Even for a tennis match…since that’s the supposed history. Bottom line is that it’s another fashion fad, and those who exhibit the need to feel trendy and follow fashions - even if they missed the actual fad - are going to do it. As for the layering, sorry, that looks pretty gay too. Yeah the colors, style, whatever excuse you want. Fact is - your wearing two shirts when most people are only wearing one in typical summer weather. You might as well wear a freaking sign…
I kinda like the popped collar in moderation…it’s a little jaunty.
and big leather cuffs? why not? I’ve been wearing a Paul Frank leather cuff watch for years now.
I have a couple sweaters with “stand collars” that i like, and my gf insists on my layering a polo with them. I don’t mind since it minimizes itch. Otherwise I wouldn’t dare, and have been known to “unpop” peoples collars.
Unless the cuff has a watch on it, forget it.
Instead of the leather cuff rock a Panerai. Its like the cuff with a clock attached. Plus they’re uber-cool right now