April 27th, 2009
Fashion Trends: Union Jack clothing and accessories
This is a trend that's been growing for a while now, with designers like Alexander McQueen probably the main perpetrators. This week, though, we've noticed a veritable explosion of Union Jack print. Seriously, it's like the flag just threw up all over the high street, and, as you would probably expect, Topshop is leading the charge there, with everything from leggings to handbags emblazoned with the print. (It's even cropping up in soft furnishings, as Keeping It Realtor can testify.)
The use of the Union Jack in fashion is obviously nothing new, but what do you think of its current popularity surge, encouraged by the likes of Agyness Deyn and co? Is it something you'd wear?
Union Jack blazer, £75, Topshop; Union Jack heart bag, £25, Topshop; Union Jack print t-shirt, £20, Miss Selfridge; Union Jack ankle socks, £3, New Look; Union Jack across body bag, £17, ASOS
It’s ok until someone wears all the above pieces at once!
Ehm…I think it’s played out for me. There was a time when it was a little fresh and surprising but now when I see it in an outfit I just think “ugh, some originality please!” How about a different flag…Mexican national flag? I dunno.
Only the tshirt cause the print is faded so its not so obvious. Plus Im not British so itd be a bit weird..
Because I don’t live in the UK I would probably wear it… but isn’t it a bit naff to wear your own country’s flag, except on holidays celebrating the country?
Well, probably not the jacket, but the smaller pieces – sure, why not? I’ve always liked the punk vibe of Union Jack clothes.
Surely the only people who would wear the jacket would be the same ones who have a shrine to the royal family in their living room..?
I think the main thing that makes it look tacky is when the blue isn’t navy and its just the classic flag pasted on something… So I don’t actually think the topshop stuff is *that* bad!
The heart bag and the t-shirt are the only things I like. Too bad I am American! Clearly we only wear our flag tastefully over here.
I quite like the distressed Tee but I don’t think I would even look at any of the rest of it in a shop.. I’d feel like a tourist!
I really do like the heart purse, though I can’t imagine using it.
I actually like the heart shaped purse
and the t-shirt, but then, I’m mexican and I would never wear a tee with the mexican flag or anything like that!
The heart purse is cute. I would maybe buy it for a souvenir. And I think thats where flag clothing belongs, in the souvenir shop!
The jacket and the socks are tacky…
I love the heart clutch and the other clutch…
Not too sure about the shirt though.
i’ve loved the union jack since THE union jack dress..(ginger spice…y’know)
i’m not a brit, i’m australian, we’re lucky because we get the union jack AND a tonne of stars. which are EVERYWHERE..i think the whole world is experiencing a surge of patriotism.
everything here is emblazoned with the southern cross, shoes, bags, singlets (i have one..), bikinis (i have one of those too..) and pretty much everything else.
Ahh Livlah, you’re so right.
In New Zealand we have the southern cross on our flag too. But its not printed on everything…
I guess because we have the silver fern, which is practically our flag anyway!
Good looking, but not for me
I like the more stylized union jack things – plain old flags pasted on to jackets is a bit boring, but the one t-shirt (and others I’ve seen like it) are fine and dandy. I’d probably wear individual items (I’m British but I live in Canada so it wouldn’t be too…painfully patriotic?) but there is definitely a possibility of too much of a good thing going on here.
I’d like to see some other flag-themed clothing, though. I know the maple leaf isn’t up to much (useful when you’re traveling though) but when are we gonna see some nicer looking things with the welsh dragon on them? All I ever find is boring old tourist-shop type t-shirts.
I like this stuff, just on somebody else.
I like it, but i think the jacket is a bit mutch.
This trend i just don’t get! it’s all very well being patriotic but a whole spice girls union jack dress revival..not for me thanks..pass.
im british… i love the punky vibe. i wouldnt wear a whole outfit. i would look like jonny rotten…but one thing would look great and give any outfit a kick.
I don’t know cause I really like the t-shirt and the heart clutch, but I’m not British (I live in the heart of the US) so I don’t know if that’s taboo…I’d prefer to have something with, say, the Italian flag on it (ITALIA!) but I do like the Union Jack. It’s just so classic but can look super coolio!
I am a young 34 year old, and just bought some union jack leggings but my friend said I was too old to wear them. Do you think only younger people can wear them?
Doesn’t anyone else just find it all a bit…nationalist?
I love it I love it – Retro Punk Glam – this is a la NY Dolls – I can’t get this in the States