Help a fashion challenged fat ass...

[Hell Puppy]

Ok, so after spending the weekend in a sea of them, can someone please explain the appeal of Ed Hardy and Affliction t-shirts to me?

[gonzo]

It makes you a cool kid and a gangsta

Don Ed Hardy Brands
In 2002 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002) Hardy was approached by Ku USA, Inc. to produce a line of clothing based on Hardy's art and a licence agreement was signed. Within two years, the collection had drawn the interest of large clothing companies. HHardy and Ku USA formed Hardy Life LLC, which holds the trademark ownership as well as the copyrights to all his images.

In 2004 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004) Christian Audigier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Audigier) licensed the rights to produce the Ed Hardy clothing line, which is based on Hardy's imagery. Prior to the Ed Hardy clothing line, Audigier was the Head Designer at Von Dutch Originals, which marketed the imagery of Von Dutch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Howard). Audigier has attempted to replicate the marketing techniques employed by Von Dutch Originals, by marketing directly to celebrity clients and by opening stores in high profile fashion districts. There are currently at least twelve Ed Hardy stores, located in Waikiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waikiki), Dubai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai), Kuwait (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait), Dallas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas), Miami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami), Los Angeles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles), Tucson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucson), Houston (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston), New York (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York), Tokyo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo), Singapore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore), Noosa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noosa) on The Sunshine Coast, Melbourne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne), Sydney (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney), Riga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riga) and Gold Coast (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Coast) which opened slightly earlier than expected in late 2007. Stores were opened in Johannesburg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannesburg), South Africa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa) in early 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007) and Cape Town (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town), South Africa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa) in late 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007). In late 2007, stores were opened in New Delhi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Delhi) & Mumbai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai). He opened another store in San Francisco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco) in March 2008 as well as a store in Hamburg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg).

Christian Audigier launched Ed Hardy Fragrances in 2008. In August of 2008 Ed Hardy Brands signed an exclusive contract with the high end clothing retailer, BUCKLE to carry limited designs of his clothing.
Several nightclubs in Vancouver (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver) do not allow Ed Hardy's clothing in addition to other labels such as Affliction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affliction_Clothing) due to an association with gang activities.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Hardy#cite_note-0)

[softball]

I wear exclusively Ed Hardy and Converse sneakers. But I am kind of a hipster dude as you know. I got my first pair of Hardys in Paris a few years ago. The sales guy was nuts about my Converse. But I have been wearing Chucks since I was a kid.
I was kind of insulted when Toby took piccies of my old lady's boots and never even noticed my sneakers.

[Toby]

...I was kind of insulted when Toby took piccies of my old lady's boots and never even noticed my sneakers.

Those sneakers didn't have 4 inch spike heels. :waving:

[Robert]

Black Converse held together with duct tape was standard issue skater gear for me.

[LAJ]

Black Converse held together with duct tape was standard issue skater gear for me.

LMAO! I had that back in 1985...

[softball]

LMAO! I had that back in 1985...

I still do, without the tape. But some are beat all to shit. I currently have about 15 pairs of converse and hardys. I hit the hardy store in san francisco this year. I will have to hit cybernext next year just to replenish my supply.

[miz_wright]

Ok, so after spending the weekend in a sea of them, can someone please explain the appeal of Ed Hardy and Affliction t-shirts to me?

Folks rock the Hardy in an attempt to garner street cred on old school flash art. There's some Sailor Jerry stuff that meets the same criteria.

[DannyCox]

...and I have no idea as to who Ed Hardy even is!! And no, I won't be "Googling" him.

I have one pair of "sneakers", my Asics from 1997 that I still wear. I am fully anti-fashion, if something is considered in vogue or "cool", I will never wear it. I've been wearing the same brand and style of jeans for 30 years. Other than that, I have a couple of pairs of old khakis for formal events, loads of t-shirts collected on my travels, and about 100 really loud Hawaiian shirts all picked up while sailing.

My clothing budget is less than $100.00 a year ;)

[TheEnforcer]

I've never been one to follow fashion trends. In fact they usually annoy the shit out of me.

[softball]

...and I have no idea as to who Ed Hardy even is!! And no, I won't be "Googling" him.

I have one pair of "sneakers", my Asics from 1997 that I still wear. I am fully anti-fashion, if something is considered in vogue or "cool", I will never wear it. I've been wearing the same brand and style of jeans for 30 years. Other than that, I have a couple of pairs of old khakis for formal events, loads of t-shirts collected on my travels, and about 100 really loud Hawaiian shirts all picked up while sailing.

My clothing budget is less than $100.00 a year ;)

Danny, you do have a very cool Carol Cox leather jacket....

[DannyCox]

No, that jacket says "Wild Rose Productions" and is from 1998 ;)

That's all I still wear in the winter!

[tony404]

old guys trying to look young. lol

[Hell Puppy]

For sneakers I buy whatever is on sale and comfortable. I do upgrade once every year or so to keep them from looking ratty.

Maybe next someone can splain to me why I should wear my pants down around my knees with my boxers showing.

[Robert]

LMAO! I had that back in 1985...

Yeah, early-mid 80s. Think Ramones with mohawks and skateboards :okthumb:

[miz_wright]

Yeah, early-mid 80s. Think Ramones with mohawks and skateboards :okthumb:

I miss the Gotcha! team.

[ali25extreme]

old guys trying to look young. lol
At least they are trying!:clapping:I give props for that.

[TheEnforcer]

I don't mind looking my age. Not one bit. I LIKE having a beard even though not having one makes me look MUCH younger. I don't even think about dying my hair, especially my beard which has a ton, to remove the grey. That's me. Take it or leave it. :>))

[softball]

old guys trying to look young. lol
Nah, old guys dressing they way they always did. I have been wearing the same sneakers since I was a kid. Old habits die hard.

[Dravyk]

Winter's coming. Time to get me a new pair of red or yellow Chucks.

[softball]

Winter's coming. Time to get me a new pair of red or yellow Chucks.
go for it. I have pink, red, black, blue, yellow, white and camo. Maybe more. I have a lot.

[Hell Puppy]

I think I lack the vanity gene...

My hair has had a lot of gray since I was 25...family trait. Most people still think I'm older than I am though I'm starting to catch up to my hair.

The goatee comes and goes. That's purely a mood thing. Hair length is a function of how busy I am. Though I will usually get it cut before I travel simply to have less of it to wash in the hard water of most hotel showers. So far no issues with baldness, in fact I could turn hippie in 6 months as fast as mine grows.

Clothes, I try to just dress appropriate for whatever I'm doing or wherever I'm going. Typically that's gonna mean chinos and either a polo or oxford....works for most things. I used to be nothing but jeans, tshirts, sneakers and a baseball cap so I could let the hair go wild. But that was before I was "trained". Now I'm almost housebroken.

Oh, and I'm fat. Some of you may have noticed. I wouldn't mind losing weight, but that's not a matter of vanity, that's just about feeling better and being healthier. One of these days I should really hire some more help and make time to take care of myself and eat better.

[TheEnforcer]

I think I lack the vanity gene...

My hair has had a lot of gray since I was 25...family trait. Most people still think I'm older than I am though I'm starting to catch up to my hair.

Me too. Especially in my beard. Just the way it is.

The goatee comes and goes. That's purely a mood thing. Hair length is a function of how busy I am. Though I will usually get it cut before I travel simply to have less of it to wash in the hard water of most hotel showers. So far no issues with baldness, in fact I could turn hippie in 6 months as fast as mine grows.

I've had a beard and mustache probably 80-90% of the time since I was 16.

Clothes, I try to just dress appropriate for whatever I'm doing or wherever I'm going. Typically that's gonna mean chinos and either a polo or oxford....works for most things. I used to be nothing but jeans, tshirts, sneakers and a baseball cap so I could let the hair go wild. But that was before I was "trained". Now I'm almost housebroken.

LOL

I'm still shorts and t-shirt kind with a baseball cap 99% of the time I leave the house. If I have to I can dress up but I rarely go to places or events where I have to. I used to wear a suit and tie to work every day for several years and actually enjoyed it quite a bit, though I always had soemthing that was appropriate but a bit different, so I can clean up nicely when needed.

For example, I would wear specialty ties that had endangered species on them and really nice cowboy boots with some very nice suits. People, especially women, loved the look.

Oh, and I'm fat. Some of you may have noticed. I wouldn't mind losing weight, but that's not a matter of vanity, that's just about feeling better and being healthier. One of these days I should really hire some more help and make time to take care of myself and eat better.

Ditto. I am a big guy. Need to get in better shape.

[Jim_Gunn]

I can say this even though I don't own one. The Affliction shirts are cut for those with an athletic build, so if you are in good shape they are flattering to wear, unlike say a typical baggy shirt. Plus a lot of young males are MMA fans nowadays, so it's kind of trendy thing as well.

[DannyCox]

I'm also...er...slightly overweight! I could stand to lose a good 50 pounds. I gained all that weight when I left Aerospace to do this full time!

I also used to be a suit & tie boy back in my previous life, but haven't worn one since 1997. My typical "uniform" these days is very old shorts and ratty t-shirts as I mainly work from the house (that is, when I get out of my robe!).

[Dravyk]

go for it. I have pink, red, black, blue, yellow, white and camo. Maybe more. I have a lot. hehe I've worn every color Chuck at one time or another except pink. Oh and also not camo, which is more a pattern than color, per se.

Enforcer you need that just for beards coloring they advertise during football games. Funny commericals. "And it's 'no way' for Mister Gray ..."

As for myself ... sigh. Getting the balding bare spot in the back now. And with my heart condition thingy I'm a lot more sedentary now -- which is saying something as I wasn't exactly Jim Fixx to begin with. I must be adding 10lbs every 4-6 months now. Soon I'll be Gonzo's Krispy Kreme Man replacement at conventions.

As time goes on I look more and more like Tony Soprano, I swear.

[DannyCox]

Okay, for the fashion-limited, what the hell is a "Chuck"??

[Toby]

Okay, for the fashion-limited, what the hell is a "Chuck"??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Taylor_All-Stars

[DannyCox]

ah, okay. I had a pair of those things 30 odd years ago! Just called them high tops

[softball]

http://www.soleredemption.com/pics/2007/03/convers_metallic-01.jpgah, okay. I had a pair of those things 30 odd years ago! Just called them high tops

Nah, these ain't high tops.

[DannyCox]

The ones shown in the link that Toby posted sure are. I wore those during my Punk years in the mid to late 1970's when we all looked like a Ramone. That was part of the uniform over at Crash 'n Burn ;)

[Hell Puppy]

I'm anxiously awaiting chukka boots to make a come back.

[softball]

The ones shown in the link that Toby posted sure are. I wore those during my Punk years in the mid to late 1970's when we all looked like a Ramone. That was part of the uniform over at Crash 'n Burn ;)
I just can't picture you as a punk, Danny. Got any pictures?

[DannyCox]

Actually, I don't have any pictures of me prior to 1981. When I broke up with my old girlfriend, she left with everything, including all my pictures! But from '77 through to '79, I wore the Toronto Punk uniform of skinny jeans, high tops, black t-shirt and black leather jacket. Pure Ramones look, including the long shaggy hair. Used to hang out at the Crash 'n Burn and beat up the Punks that dressed like UK fags! ;)

Real Punks didn't wear Mohawks!

[Dravyk]

Nah, these ain't high tops. Oddly enough, while I wear Top Siders (aka Dock Siders, aka other names I forget now) during the summer, I dunno, I think I'm a bit more of purist when it comes to Chucks. Somehow a non-high top Chuck just seems like a mutated Top Sider.

Oh, and tying this in with the Nerd thread ... For the past several years David Tenant's Doctor Who has been wearing a variety of (colors of) high-top Chucks with his suit on the show. hehe

http://www.fanboy.com/images/dr-who-low-budget.jpg

[DannyCox]

I also mainly wear deck shoes these days, like my Sperry Top Siders and my Rockports. Very very comfortable shoes. In warm weather, I mainly wear sandals.

[softball]

Oddly enough, while I wear Top Siders (aka Dock Siders, aka other names I forget now) during the summer, I dunno, I think I'm a bit more of purist when it comes to Chucks. Somehow a non-high top Chuck just seems like a mutated Top Sider.

Oh, and tying this in with the Nerd thread ... For the past several years David Tenant's Doctor Who has been wearing a variety of (colors of) high-top Chucks with his suit on the show. hehe

http://www.fanboy.com/images/dr-who-low-budget.jpg

Never wore the high tops. They seem kinda mutated to me.

[DannyCox]

Never wore the high tops. They seem kinda mutated to me.

And the non-high tops seemed a bit off to me ;)

[RawAlex]

I also mainly wear deck shoes these days, like my Sperry Top Siders and my Rockports. Very very comfortable shoes. In warm weather, I mainly wear sandals.

Yeah, but do you wear socks with your sandals? ;)

[gonzo]

Oh, and tying this in with the Nerd thread ... For the past several years David Tenant's Doctor Who has been wearing a variety of (colors of) high-top Chucks with his suit on the show. hehe

http://www.fanboy.com/images/dr-who-low-budget.jpg
ITS DR GOO!

[bluemoney]

Chuck Taylor All-Stars are kick ass sneaks!

As for Ed Hardy, I'd rather wear Laurel & Hardy . . . . fugly chit mang!

[softball]

Chuck Taylor All-Stars are kick ass sneaks!

As for Ed Hardy, I'd rather wear Laurel & Hardy . . . . fugly chit mang!
they are just painted converse knock offs. They are just as well made and just as comfortable. Even more comfortable without socks.

[Dravyk]

I find wearing socks with sandals or with the low-cuts is just ... weird.

But I'm with Danny. High-top Chucks are the real deal. Low-cut Chucks are the mutant strain. :)