Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

i Editor's Letter: Football and fashion

 

Stefano Hatfield
Sunday 19 February 2012 21:10 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Congratulations to i’s columnist Neil Warnock on his new job at Leeds United, a team close to my heart.

He will need all the support he can get, going to work for Leeds’ unpopular, unpredictable chairman, Ken Bates. Elland Road is not a place for faint hearts. It’s not just the intimidating atmosphere either. As a home fan, I can safely say it is a scene of many a fashion crime. But, it’s scarcely any better at Fulham’s Craven Cottage, my local stadium.

The same could be said about most grounds. So, why am I yammering on about football and fashion? Is it to give me a tenuous London Fashion Week link? No, I kid you not, stadiums used to be places of high fashion: remember the casuals’ trend from the 1980s? Football grounds and shopping malls are where you see ordinary people dressed in everyday wear.

In both, 'leisurewear' is well nigh ubiquitous. You would have to include football shirts in that mix. Jeans, hoodies, trainers and some sort of tracksuit also dominate. So, does Vivienne Westwood have a point in her rant that Britons have never been worse dressed? I am not so sure that the average shopper or match-goer would listen to her on this matter any more than they would on where to get a BOGOF, or Leeds' transfer dealings.

She is the high priestess of the avante-garde and - by definition and price - not for everyone. But, that's not to say she doesn’t have a point. Is style as linked to price as she appears to suggest? I am not sure I have the answer, other than to espouse my view that men have to spend more money on clothes to look good than women. What do you, i's stylish readers, think?

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in