Burberry feels the 'chav' factor

[iGav]

The article requires paid subscription... so instead here's the full article.

From mad.co.uk:

Clothing label Burberry has reported a fall in demand in the UK market as it counts the cost of its association with the so-called 'chav' phenomenon.

The fashion house was announcing third-quarter figures, which showed that underlying sales were up 7 per cent in three months to 1 January, half the rate of growth in the first six months.

However, sales fell in the UK, which "was our weakest market", finance director Stacey Cartwright said.

Despite the downturn Cartwright said she was "pretty pleased" with the figures, adding, "This is a creditable performance in challenging markets. We deliberately managed the business for profit and resisted the temptation to go for an early sale."

She also suggested that the group's distinctive beige check, which is as likely to be worn by an English football supporter as it is a London banker, was nearing an end.


But it's this bit at the end that really gave me a chukkle...


She said the connection was "yesterday's news. We have all moved on from there. Anyway, a lot of what they wore was counterfeit so there's no real impact on us."

Stick it to them Chav's Stacey! :p :p :p

[mkrishnan]

:D:D:D:D:D

I didn't know what a Chav was until I read this article....you really have people who wear Burberry in the UK? *gasp*

:D:D:D:D:D

[edesignuk]

LMFAO! That last bit is classic! http://upload.edesignuk.net/uploaded_data/smilies/rollinglaugh.gif

[virividox]

DIE CHAv DIE hehe

omg being away on holiday back home i rarely saw any burberry but the moment i arrived in heathrow i was assaulted by visions of plaid!!! damn chavs

[Lord Blackadder]

OMFG, about a month ago I read a BBC article about hoodlum laws or something and they mentioned "chavs". What the heck is a Chav? I live on the wrong side of the pond.

There are some well-written and extremely hilarious definitions on Urbandictionary.com. I got to learn about the finer aspects of UK culture, such as "council estates" musical groups like "So Solid Crew", and such.

Ah, so Chav = trailer trash with an accent. :D

Burberry looks hideous, BTW.

[caveman_uk]

Burberry seems curiously popular in Tokyo....perhaps they don't know what we know.

[kwaka6]

Any overseas readers unfamiliar with the UK "chav" phenomenon (sp?) may want to have a look at this site. Gives a bit of in-sight into this hilarious looking culture :D

http://www.chavscum.co.uk/

[mkrishnan]

There are some well-written and extremely hilarious definitions on Urbandictionary.com. I got to learn about the finer aspects of UK culture, such as "council estates" musical groups like "So Solid Crew", and such.

Hehehehe I found out what it means on urban dictionary too. It so pwns any other dictionary. I loved the fact that one of the definitions actually mentioned wearing Burberry. :cool:

[Lord Blackadder]

Any overseas readers unfamiliar with the UK "chav" phenomenon (sp?) may want to have a look at this site. Gives a bit of in-sight into this hilarious looking culture :D

http://www.chavscum.co.uk/

Nice. :D

On a somewhat related note, awhile back I came across a flash-based game called "Virtua Pikey" (I think that's what it was called), it was pretty funny.

EDIT: Link (http://www.virtuapikey.com/) for game.

[mkrishnan]

LOL, this one came up in another forum, and I instantly thought of y'alls, who taught me what a Chav is.

http://www.cecimoz.co.uk/flashpanel/Chavs2.htm

You'll like it. :D

[Jon'sLightBulbs]

The entire idea of a "Chav" culture as a "peasant" underclass overtaking your cities smells of elitist angst. (This language is taken directly from the Chav FAQ link above.) What, is the rest of society superior to this "underclass" because of their higher income? Because they're
better educated? I'm not sure exactly what the dislike of this "culture" really addresses. Is it the idea that these people can't really afford the nice clothing that they wear, the same clothing that delineates the "upper class" from the rest?

Give me a break. So because this "peasantry" isn't quite as well financially endowed, isn't quite as articulate, and not as well educated as the upper crust of London, they shouldn't get to hang out in the same places that the rest do?

Perhaps British popular culture doesn't embrace being "ghetto" as much as American pop culture does. But instead of picking on them, why not leave the less fortunate alone and let them dress how they want, speak how they want, and hang out where they want.

[garybUK]

Perhaps British popular culture doesn't embrace being "ghetto" as much as American pop culture does. But instead of picking on them, why not leave the less fortunate alone and let them dress how they want, speak how they want, and hang out where they want.

Because they drive 1.0ltr Vauxhall Nova's with badly tinted windows and a bodykit / wheels /exhausts that cost more than the car with a stereo that just thumps mindless music from subs that make the car shake and stick neons on them .. uggghhh!!! all this (of course) is funded by the Giro's burning holes in their shell suits paid by us the working tax paying population.

OH and the other type of chav or scally is those that go round in american style caps and clothes with large medallians thinking they are in 'da ghetto' i can't be doing with them they should setup a island where we can deport them to ..... oh we already did that ;)

[combatcolin]

Buggers are multiplying, used to have tracksuits in my town and now the chavs are being noticed instead.

Pity we can't send them to Cambodia on mine clearance duties.

[caveman_uk]

The entire idea of a "Chav" culture as a "peasant" underclass overtaking your cities smells of elitist angst. (This language is taken directly from the Chav FAQ link above.) What, is the rest of society superior to this "underclass" because of their higher income? Because they're
better educated? I'm not sure exactly what the dislike of this "culture" really addresses. Is it the idea that these people can't really afford the nice clothing that they wear, the same clothing that delineates the "upper class" from the rest?

Give me a break. So because this "peasantry" isn't quite as well financially endowed, isn't quite as articulate, and not as well educated as the upper crust of London, they shouldn't get to hang out in the same places that the rest do?

Please don't spout philosophical bollocks when you haven't even met one. They could dress in all the stupid clothes, talk in f*ckwit and drive souped up wrecks all they wanted if they weren't such a bunch of ignorant, violent, thieving dole-scrounging wankers.

They are the epitome of the 'Isn't great to be a moron' culture that seems all too prevalent.

[Badradio]

Please don't spout philosophical bollocks when you haven't even met one. They could dress in all the stupid clothes, talk in f*ckwit and drive souped up wrecks all they wanted if they weren't such a bunch of ignorant, violent, thieving dole-scrounging wankers.

They are the epitome of the 'Isn't great to be a moron' culture that seems all too prevalent.
If I could rate just this post, I'd give it five stars. Expertly put, caveman.

[MemphisSoulStew]

The entire idea of a "Chav" culture as a "peasant" underclass overtaking your cities smells of elitist angst. (This language is taken directly from the Chav FAQ link above.) What, is the rest of society superior to this "underclass" because of their higher income? Because they're
better educated? I'm not sure exactly what the dislike of this "culture" really addresses. Is it the idea that these people can't really afford the nice clothing that they wear, the same clothing that delineates the "upper class" from the rest?

Give me a break. So because this "peasantry" isn't quite as well financially endowed, isn't quite as articulate, and not as well educated as the upper crust of London, they shouldn't get to hang out in the same places that the rest do?

Perhaps British popular culture doesn't embrace being "ghetto" as much as American pop culture does. But instead of picking on them, why not leave the less fortunate alone and let them dress how they want, speak how they want, and hang out where they want.

The dislike of this aspect of British youth culture has little to do with class or elitism, and far more to do with the fact that 'chavs' are aggressive pack-rats, with a hatred of anyone not like them. Spend an evening in any large town in the UK and endure the abuse and aggression of a group of sportswear-clad, would-be hard men, then you'll be in a better position to understand the dislike felt towards them.

I'm all for letting people live the life they want to live, but it cuts both ways and I can't feel much sympathy towards a group of people whose members are likely to spit on my shoes, or laugh at my haircut, or take the piss out of my clothes, as I walk past them in the street.

[Jon'sLightBulbs]

Please don't spout philosophical bollocks when you haven't even met one. They could dress in all the stupid clothes, talk in f*ckwit and drive souped up wrecks all they wanted if they weren't such a bunch of ignorant, violent, thieving dole-scrounging wankers.

They are the epitome of the 'Isn't great to be a moron' culture that seems all too prevalent.

Point well taken. But you'll have to pardon me. I guess I haven't been part of the upper crust for long enough to develop such a keen skill in stereotyping.

Read the article above that one poster was kind enough to share. You'll see the peasantry and underclass language used again and again. This is nothing more than stereotyping and scapegoating.

edit: p.s. You've probably guessed that I have the verbal facility and knowledge of Brit slang to similarly deride your analysis with such pleasant perjoratives as you've used. I'd just rather keep this discussion open. The mods around here have been clamping down on anything remotely resembling a flame war.

[caveman_uk]

I guess I haven't been part of the upper crust for long enough to develop such a keen skill in stereotyping.

Curiously I've never thought of myself as the 'Upper Crust'. Born in a terrace house, went to a state school, then to University - funded by the state as my parents didn't earn enough to pay for it. Have worked practically every day since then. One point you'll notice is that I used the State's money to 'better myself' and not just to sit on my arse all day with no intention of doing anything.

Consequently whilst I wouldn't call myself 'upper crust' I do think I'm better than them. Call it stereotyping all you want but once you've been seriously threatened with having your head kicked in by chavs you're not as charitable to them as you are.

[Badradio]

Read the article above that one poster was kind enough to share. You'll see the peasantry and underclass language used again and again. This is nothing more than stereotyping and scapegoating.
But that's your entire experience of this cultural phenomenon: articles and second-hand information. If you had any real knowledge of the situation - if you saw how much of a no-go area our towns have become on Saturday afternoons and weekend nights - you might be qualified to offer a more relevant viewpoint. It's this kind of "but, it's thier environment!" rubbish that got this country in the state it's in now.

[Jon'sLightBulbs]

But that's your entire experience of this cultural phenomenon: articles and second-hand information. If you had any real knowledge of the situation - if you saw how much of a no-go area our towns have become on Saturday afternoons and weekend nights - you might be qualified to offer a more relevant viewpoint. It's this kind of "but, it's thier environment!" rubbish that got this country in the state it's in now.

Sorry, but no. I have my own experience with youth delinquents. I split my time between Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles, and Chicago, and there is no paucity of these inner city kids running around, creating trouble.

I suppose it could be my over-familiarity with these kids just being kids rather than a lack of knowledge of the problem. We have skaters. Goths. The automotive enthusiasts who install 12 inch exhaust pipes, 14 in subwoofers, and 20 inch rims on their cars. We just don't blame these kids for some lack of utopia.

Most of the middle class in the States have moved to the suburbs, where these kids can't afford to move. Some of the suburbs have even restricted apartment availibilty to near 0 in an effort to keep some people out.

Further, the police in these suburbs actively pull over any cars associated with our "chav" equivalent and harass them. Word gets out that they're not wanted in these specific areas. They don't return. If you're wearing baggy clothes, Sean John (P. Diddy the rapper's clothing line), or anything similar, you're subjected to the same treatment.

I oppose the identification by clothing, choice of car, hairstyle, and the like because it misses a plain point. Not every Burberry wearing, Honda driving, Puma sporting kid is a delinquent. Your government is handling it the right way by not singling out kids who "seem" to troublemakers just by their looks. Just wait until you or one of your kids is harrassed by a police officer just for the way he dresses or chooses to modify his car.

Perhaps then you won't so stridently subscribe to the chav hating.

[Badradio]

Your government is handling it the right way by not singling out kids who "seem" to troublemakers just by their looks.
In Liverpool, there is a government-supported initiative to refuse entry into stores for anyone wearing a baseball cap with their hood up, or just with their hood up. There are posters everywhere explaining the rules and the police will enforce them. That's my point - things in the US and UK are different, so it's wrong to accuse us of class-stereotyping without all the facts to hand. I've travelled widely in the US and I know that the cultural divides there are much more pronounced, so I'm glad that someone like you is doing your bit to stick up for those from less-affluent backgrounds. I commend it.
But in the UK, our hands are tied. People under 16 here are so well-protected by law, we're powerless to do anything about juvenile crime and this "underclass" is the result.
I'm going to wrap it up there, as if this moves to the political forum, I haven't enough posts to continue the discussion. Just remember, sites like chavscum.com and the anti-chav articles are just our way of trying to make light of the situation in which we find ourselves.

[russed]

aaargh! i hate them. lets wipe them all out they are the vermin of this country and all just need a good slapping, remove all of their financial support from the government and make then do some hard manual labour. that will get it out of them.

[Chappers]

I wonder if the Chavs realise that everybody else ridicules them.

[caveman_uk]

I wonder if the Chavs realise that everybody else ridicules them.
I'm sure they do. They probably think we're just 'c**ts' though - to use their favourite word (other than 'giro')

[Chappers]

I'm sure they do. They probably think we're just 'c**ts' though - to use their favourite word (other than 'giro')

Down here in Cambridge its pronounced 'can't'. Unless the woman who goes past my flat most evenings is just telling her partner that he is unable to do something, because she keeps saying 'You can't Barry, you can't'.

[redeye be]

to get back on topic:

Lonsdale (http://www.lonsdale.com/) has/had the same problem here (Belgium and the Netherlands). The 'gabbers' claimed the brand.
Lonsdale has been trying very hard to get rid of the gabber image, as gabbers are often associated with neo-fascism.
The number of gabbers is going down i'd say, or i'm not attending the right party's.

Gabbers mostly shave their heads, and munch pills while listening to hardcore house music on which they 'hak' (dance style).

[ToddW]

we have the same thing over here in the states.

Rednecks-reside primarily in the south, some have money some don't, but they all have houses they don't keep up with and oversize impractical 4WD trucks. They seem to worship the sport of NASCAR.

White Trash-AKA Trailer Trash, these people are a little lower than rednecks, most our milking the governement and doing some sort of drugs. Alot of Uncle-Daddy culture. They also seem to worship the sport of NASCAR.

From the Barrio-More of a Latino gang banger type of people, often found in groups, tattoos and shaved heads are a give away. They deal with some drugs. (I've been mugged twice in the past two years by this type of people, the first time all I had was twenty bucks and they just pulled a knife on me, so I lost twenty bucks and a Fossil watch. The second time, another group tried to beat me up and I took out two of them before the cops showed up, I ended up with a bad cut above my eye a bust nose and a busted lip.)

Wanna be gang bangers-I encountered this class of citizen in a rural southern town. Groups of minorities who try to be in a gang, in high school I got jumped by a group of three, I managed to hold my own. I got suspended for a few days, but at least they didn't bother me anymore.

We have the same over here, just different types of 'chavs'!

I feel for you guys. Sorry to highjack the thread, just thought it would be interesting to share.

[caveman_uk]

Wanna be gang bangers
I always think that's an unusual expression. It always sounds to me like someone who wants to indulge in group sex... ;)

[mkrishnan]

Wow, I just wanted to show you guys the flash video. It's actually really cute, and not nearly as vitriolic as this argument makes it out to be....guess I shoulda let this thread die. :rolleyes:

[Chappers]

to get back on topic:

Lonsdale (http://www.lonsdale.com/) has/had the same problem here (Belgium and the Netherlands). The 'gabbers' claimed the brand.
Lonsdale has been trying very hard to get rid of the gabber image, as gabbers are often associated with neo-fascism.
The number of gabbers is going down i'd say, or i'm not attending the right party's.

Gabbers mostly shave their heads, and munch pills while listening to hardcore house music on which they 'hak' (dance style).

to get back on topic

I just don't understand why Chavs like Burberry anyway - it really is awful. I could understand if chavking Beckham wore it but my god it looks like something my grandmother would have put on her feet.

[Blue Velvet]

I just don't understand why Chavs like Burberry anyway - it really is awful.

It would be mildly interesting to find out where this manifestation of Burberry-ness first started.

Well... not that interesting.

Sort of like finding Piltdown Man, though... the source of all chavness.

[Chappers]

It would be mildly interesting to find out where this manifestation of Burberry-ness first started.

Well... not that interesting.

Sort of like finding Piltdown Man, though... the source of all chavness.

I like to blame the Beckhams because they gave a certain street cred to it but it certainly didn't start there, think Brian Harvey and his Eastenders lady (Daniella something or other - was it Westbrooke). Its all an evolution thing. They needed naff yukky tartan to give themselves street cred - sad.
And the rest is history.

[MemphisSoulStew]

It would be mildly interesting to find out where this manifestation of Burberry-ness first started.

Well... not that interesting.

Sort of like finding Piltdown Man, though... the source of all chavness.

I think it was label-obsessed football fans who started wearing Burberry on the terraces, along with their Italian sportswear and boxfresh trainers. It spread from there, but the football fans stopped wearing it as soon as it became popular with Z-list Eastenders actors.

[Lord Blackadder]

This is so interesting, I love finding out about the origins of things like this and whatnot.

Especially when I can see the parallels across cultures, even ones as similar as those in the UK and US. We have the same social phenomenon ("The Projects" v.s. "Council Estates"), just different slang and clothes.

I'm glad the whole Burberry thing died before it could swim across the ocean and spread in the 'states (shudder)

Oh, and BV, finding the source of all Chavness sounds like a quest not to be taken lightly. :D

[Blue Velvet]

Oh, and BV, finding the source of all Chavness sounds like a quest not to be taken lightly. :D


The Heart of Darkness... Apocalypse Chav.

[Lord Blackadder]

The Heart of Darkness... Apocalypse Chav.

See,I'm already scared. The mere thought opens up a Pandora's box. :p

[combatcolin]

The Heart of Darkness... Apocalypse Chav.

"The Horror! The Horror!"

[hvfsl]

Did anyone see that programme on SkyONE about chavs (last week I think)?

That got me really annoyed, they didn't seem to even know what a chav was. They made it out like the middleclasses use 'chav' as a word for the working classes, to put them down. But they failed to realise that being working class does not automatically make you a chav.

Chavs are people normally between the ages of 6-25, who hang around in large groups, wearing their supermarket fashion and beat the **** out of ramdom people to give themselves a laugh. :mad:

[caveman_uk]

I'm glad the whole Burberry thing died before it could swim across the ocean and spread in the 'states (shudder)

Burberry is quite big in Japan apparently - although they seem unaware of the crap chav connotations - so it could still get to you too! :eek:

[caveman_uk]

Did anyone see that programme on SkyONE about chavs (last week I think)?

That got me really annoyed, they didn't seem to even know what a chav was. They made it out like the middleclasses use 'chav' as a word for the working classes, to put them down. But they failed to realise that being working class does not automatically make you a chav.

Too damn right...it is definately not the working classes. In fact quite the opposite - most chavs don't know what work is.

[Chappers]

To Chavs - claiming benefit is full time employment.

[Dagless]

just last night my girlfriend went to the chippy donning a pink fleece and a blue beanie with a pixel style design on it and a regular pair of jeans...

some chavs asked her "are you a goth?"

... yea.
she lives in Hyde and the chav probably there is terrible. ive never had a face to face encounter with them but a few weeks ago i met up with a little gang whilst walking to her house... twas quite funny :)

"get a haircut" they shouted, which is funny because back then i just had my haircut by my cousin and i had to act as a model later. i was no skinhead but it was not long by any shot.
"get a job" i shouted back to which they so nobley put
"im on benefits!"...

you dont get many where im from. its too hilly for them.

i suppose the nutshell responce is "chavs=suck". ANYWAYS they're not just called that, that is such a southerns name for them. we coined scally and towny aaages ago.

[Dagless]

...all this (of course) is funded by the Giro's burning holes in their shell suits paid by us the working tax paying population...

LOVELY Peter Kay quote (phoenix nights. series 2, episode 2; the reopening) gary ;)

im also quite suprised to see Burberry products being sold in Selfridges.

[Applespider]

im also quite suprised to see Burberry products being sold in Selfridges.

The prime differential being that they are geniuine Burberry articles. And typical traditional Burberry shoppers, being 40+ ladies in Burberry (plain) raincoats and carrying the check umbrella, or Japanese tourists, are unlikely to be mistaken for chavs.

Burberry do a lot more 'non check' clothing too.

[garybUK]

LOVELY Peter Kay quote (phoenix nights. series 2, episode 2; the reopening) gary ;)

im also quite suprised to see Burberry products being sold in Selfridges.

Aye that's the one :) classic

[dermeister]

Here in Canada I remember Burberry being well in style a few years ago. Soon after, I also noticed the brand had become so common (read: all the "chavs" were wearing it) I was embarassed to wear it:P

As far as people know here, Burberry=[Checkered Cream +Red/Black Lines]. The brand is doomed, since Burberry's usual customers are now associating it with the chavs.

Can anybody recomend a nice brand that hasn't been overtaken by the chavs? Good old Lacoste is always plain and nice.

[Maxiseller]

www.chavscum.co.uk

[kerb]

I got called a Chav last night by some Chavs.

They were pissed on cider and one was walking a dog and said "This is the fookin ardest fookin dog int world. It'll bite you're leg off ye chav fookin ****"

I was most confused.

[VincentVega]

Chav Monopoly:

http://www.antireality.co.uk/llama/image001.jpg

I'm not sure what the intended audience is. Surely most chavs are illiterate and won't be able to read the board correctly?

To me, a chav is an ill-educated, incoherent thug, with dubious fashion taste and lots of bling-bling jewellery. Being working class has nothing to do with it.

I was walking across a parking lot a few months back. Some tracksuit-clad reprobates almost ran me over on a bicycle. One of them muttered "tw*t" at me. Charming. Fortunately they didn't bash me over the head and steal my iPod.

[Mord]

hahahaha, i haven't seen a chav wearing Burberry in a long while, isent Burberry the tartan that scottish people wear if dont have a clan, so it's like they are labeling themselves as scottish rejects :P, i'd like to hear from the sole chav mac rumors poster.

[gotohamish]

Lots of good chav coverage from an NYC expat angle on my site recently - it might be a good guide for those uninitiated:

http://blog.verbosecoma.com

Hamish

[Applespider]

isent Burberry the tartan that scottish people wear if dont have a clan,.

Nope - thankfully, I've never seen a kilt in Burberry. Or Burberry in a Highland dress shop.

The tartans that anyone can wear are 'universal' tartans - most commonly Hunting Stewart or the Black Watch one traditionally; there are some modern universals too like the ones for the Scottish sports teams or Scottish parliaments. Most people are encouraged to choose from the district in which they live or have links to, if they're not entitled to a tartan by blood.

[Mord]

heh, makes me glad i have a blood right tartan :P

[Chappers]

I was in Harrods at the weekend and the Chavs were there to ..... or was that just some members of the royal family.