noun
British , informal derogatory
__ A young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of (real or imitation) designer clothes. - Oxford English Dictionary
Although
not 'chav' per sue as these images are uber stylish and the clothing is
certainly not available at Primark or Lipsy, each of these images have a
certain aspect reminiscent of the common value of the chav. Whether
tapping into the stereotypical ideals, behaviours and styles- draped in bling or with slicked back hair and moody expression- it may well be
considered that there is something quite 'chavvy' about each of them. Or so I think.
We all went through the chavvy phase- I know I did. The look consisted of Adidas tracksuit bottoms, gold chain
clown
hung round my neck (which I still have) and bright yellow Spice Girls
puffer jacket, complete with fake Burberry scarf. Nice. A look I'd
rather not recreate, but instead cherish as an emblem of my 90s
childhood. It was, let's be honest, the 90s for you when the surge of
chav began and which eventually led to somewhat tarnishing the value of their signature Burberry print.
It was a great era for so many things, though, the music being one.
Whether
or not you find them chavvy or not, I simply feel there is an element
of it to them, even if they are from high fashion editorials. I like to think of it as a
bit of fun, slightly tongue in cheek and secretly, a celebration of the
notoriously British notion/traits to the chav. The chav is infamously loud and vulgar, just like some of these photographs- most of which came
from my collection of
LOVE and Wonderland magazines. And even if you
don't see it, which I hope you do, I seem to and the pictures are nonetheless
great to look at. Either way, I have a fascination with both.
What do you make of the
pictures? Are you a fan of the chav look?
Which is your favourite image?
WONDER FULL
