Patriotism? It just looks cool.

[luminousmotion]

A post from another community got me wondering. How do ya'll feel about americans using the union jack in a fashion way or old glory. Like a patch or a t-shirt or jacket or what have you. My impression is in the US lots of people will just think of it as style wearing the british flag, where as in England wearing the american flag would make them

Comments

[dativesingular]

Honestly? I sometimes see clothing here in shops with an American flag on it, and my (Australian) swim coach has a grey hoodie with "USA" and a flag on it. As an American it does make me double-take a bit, but I don't think it's as unusual as you're thinking.

(I'm an American living in England)

[evilshell]

I'm an American living in England, and I see people with American flag themed shirts from time to time - and they're locals, not Americans on holiday or living here. It is a fashion trend, just like the union flag is a fashion trend for throw pillows here.

[metatronis]

I think a lot of it probably has to do with aesthetics, especially since the American flag is asymmetrical.

Though now I'm wondering, does anyone know if the prominence of the union jack in fashion has anything to do with the fashion that was adapted from the early punk movement?

Also, I doubt wearing an American flag would incur much harassment. I'm sure there are some people who have very strong feelings about it, but most probably just don't care that much.

[englishmann]

Goes even earlier than that in the 1960s and you can see waves of its usage in cultural history. The last time it was in vogue was the mid to late 90s, I think - didn't last long, but here it is again.

[luminousmotion]

Right, this was my thinking too(punk).

[riath]

Huh, never thought much about it. It's true, you see a lot more Americans sporting the Union Jack than the other way around. I don't think wearing an American flag asks for harassment, but you might get a few funny looks. Mostly I think people just ignore it. Though there is one guy down the road from me who has a Confederate flag outside his farm. Not entirely sure what to make of that. :P

And on a personal level, I think Americans in the US running around with union jacks ought to at least learn some facts about the UK because when I was in US high school loads of kids had union jacks but didn't know it was the british flag or anything about the UK. *facepalm* Just my two cents. (Btw, I'm a British-American living in England)

[luminousmotion]

The post that made me think about asking my question was about people in rural ontario flaunting the confederate flag as well.

[sollersuk]

Here in the UK we have a completely different attitude to the flag, and ever since the 60s it's been used on clothing. The only reason that might cause comment nowadays is because it's been a bit hijacked by the British National Party (extreme right wing, racist). I don't have views on the American flag being worn; I don't think it would cause much harrassment as most people were previously able to differentiate between American people and American government, and nowadays tend to be pro Obama.

[the_magician]

The England flag being even more hijacked, though thankfully sports fans and chavs have reclaimed it for large sporting events (like the World Cup) and so rescued it from the fascists.