What’s the hot holiday fashion trend? How about borderline political incorrectness! ‘Tis the season to say it with a sweater.
You’ve probably seen or heard at least one story of a major store being told to yank sweaters with questionable messages off their racks after public pushback by self-appointed fashion police officers. And no, it’s not the same sweater story that keeps circulating, there’s plenty of fashion swagger to gawk at over at the mall.
First there was the OCD sweater that Target introduced as part of its affectionately named Ugly Christmas Sweater Collection. When some took aim at the bulls eye-logoed retailer because they didn’t think an “Obsessive Christmas Disorder” message on the sweater’s front projected holiday cheer, Target held its ground and said — the sweater stays. The retailer also wasn’t about to miss out on added sales generated by free publicity over manufactured fashion hype.
I’m sure the sweater marketers had absolutely no idea OCD would generate more attention with a dash of controversial media buzz. Yeah, sure…and that new Illinois budget deal should be signed-off any day now.
So if you were annoyed with Target and decided to shop at Sears instead, you may have bumped into Birthday Boy. I’m referring to the beige and blue-sleeved holiday sweater featuring “Birthday Boy” printed underneath an image of Jesus on the front. A former TV news colleague of mine and long-time Facebook friend recently posted photos of the “holy threads” along with her daughter’s priceless reaction, pictured above.
Granted, a jarring sense of mild alarm may be the initial response to this quirky fashion trend, but seeing how others perceive these “unorthodox” fashions might shape overall opinions. Plus, does anyone think blatant religious mocking is going to be good for sales, not to mention a corporate reputation?
Sweater sayings aren’t only a Christmas controversy. When not-so-happy shoppers at Nordstrom spotted blue Hanukkah sweaters with “Chai Maintenance” splashed across the front, the “Nordys” discovered their backbones were out of stock, along with their back-ordered funny bones, and moved these creative garments off their sales floors. C’mon, couldn’t you see Larry David gifting that sweater to family members on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and expecting them to laugh in the spirit of holiday humor?
Apparently Nordstrom doesn’t get HBO.
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Eric Scott is a freelance columnist for the Pioneer Press
Twitter @viberider18