The Revisit of Ripped out Clothing Philosophy {Fashion Culture Encryptor}

 

Introduction

The ripped-out jeans and trousers were a major hype and very “in” in fashion. The trend became familiar to anyone who followed fashion trends. The concept was simple—ripped jeans and trousers that looked worn down. I often contemplated this trend because I was fascinated by how trends could make people follow certain looks without question. People literally wore ripped-out clothing as if they had been consumed to the point of being unfit to wear—and paid money for them.

The trend even transcended to other clothing items such as blouses and tops. “Money versus trends” is how I see it. Few questioned the reasoning behind following such trends, and what was worse was the shaming of those who didn’t follow them, labeling them as “backward.”

Well, backward I am, of course—backward yet inspired. Looking back, seeing entire populations buying, paying for, and wearing ripped-out clothing just to appear popular, hipster, or cool is something mesmerizing. I was intrigued enough by the trend to research it, and surprisingly, there was a deeper concept behind the ripped and shredded look—though I seriously doubt most people wearing it were aware of it.

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Origins in Rebellion (1970s)

The 1970s marked the birth of the ripped clothing trend during the rise of the punk movement in the United Kingdom and the United States. Bands like The Sex Pistols and designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLarenpopularized the torn and shredded look as a form of anti-establishment expression.

At that time, wearing ripped or damaged clothing symbolized a refusal of consumerism and a protest against social norms. People intentionally tore, pinned, or safety-clipped their clothes to rebel against neat, mainstream fashion.

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1980s–1990s: Mainstream Adaptation

In the 1980s, ripped jeans continued their presence as part of rock and heavy metal culture, with artists like Bon Joviand Guns N’ Roses integrating distressed denim into their wardrobes as symbols of ruggedness and freedom.

By the 1990s, the grunge movement, led by bands like Nirvana, revived the ripped look once again—this time as a statement of nonchalance and authenticity. Clothes looked worn-out and thrifted, communicating an anti-glamour attitude that defined youth culture.

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2000s–Present: Commercial Revival

During the 2000s and 2010s, the ripped look was fully commercialized. What was once rebellion became a mainstream fashion commodity. High-end designers and fast fashion brands—such as Balmain, Diesel, Zara, and H&M—began mass-producing pre-ripped jeans, jackets, and T-shirts. Consumers could now buy the “rebellious” aesthetic without the DIY effort.

This shift represented a cultural paradox. The original meaning of rebellion and authenticity was replaced by marketable aesthetics. What once protested consumerism became one of its best-selling products.

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Reflections on the Trend

The trend might have philosophical origins. Historically, followers of the look wanted to communicate protest—especially among the youth. However, tearing down clothing as a form of self-expression differs greatly from buying pre-torn garments. Most people follow trends without recognizing their origins or meanings.

In the end, the ripped clothing trend shows how rebellion can be commodified. It also demonstrates how social acceptance can transform what was once defiance into a global consumer craze.

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References

• Steele, V. (2010). The Berg Companion to Fashion. Berg Publishers.

• Polhemus, T. (1994). Streetstyle: From Sidewalk to Catwalk. Thames and Hudson.

• English, B. (2013). A Cultural History of Fashion in the 20th and 21st Centuries. Bloomsbury.

• Craik, J. (2009). Fashion: The Key Concepts. Berg.

• Evans, C., & Thornton, M. (1989). Women and Fashion: A New Look. Quartet Books.

  
  

  PS: The image will be added later as there is for some reason a difficulty adding images