Is profane the new chic? Recently a passenger was asked by an American Airlines pilot to drape a shawl over the shirt because her T-shirt bore a four-letter expletive. An Indian student was barred from a Delta flight because of his T-shirt that mocked federal security agents and included the words, “Terrists gonna kill us all”.

A few months ago Sadie Frost and Jude Law’s 12-year-old daughter Iris had tongues wagging when she wore a print dress containing phrases like, “Blow Me”, “Eat shit” among others. Urban Outfitters is selling T-shirts emblazoned with boozy slogans like “I Vote for Vodka”.
It’s an unspoken rule that one shouldn’t be disrespectful to others’ sentiments. But swear words or raunchy punchlines on clothes don’t necessarily mean disregard to any person or community, claim youngsters and they accept that the line dividing obscene from punk should not be crossed.
Fashion is an expression of your attitude and who you are, says Bharat Jain, a 21-year-old DU student, and adds, “Fashion is about optimism. What one finds vulgar can be a fashion statement for another. Also the ‘words’ on your clothes don’t mean their literal meaning. So there is absolutely no need to frown.”
Santu Misra, a design student and freelance stylist, adds that displaying your feelings on your person is fun till the time the said words are sacrilegious. “UnderCover by Jun Takahashi came out with a series of texts on their garments which stated things like, ‘We make noise not clothes’, ‘She brings rain’ and Commes des Garcons released a range of T-shirts that’s a different kind of chic. The often angering phrases like ‘blow me’ or ‘WTF?’ are merely self-expressions. If the wearer is comfortable wearing it and as long as it doesn’t grow horns to hurt someone, it’s absolutely fine.”
Society should not decide what is “appropriate” or “inappropriate”, says designer Anand Bhushan. “I don’t get the whole hypocritical behaviour towards fashion which allows people to express themselves. Fashion is about optimism, not victimisation; about engagement, not elitism; and about communicative strengths,” explains Bhushan.
On the other hand, others don’t deny that humour and fun can be wholesome and healthy without being raunchy and in your face. Wearing profanities does seem like you are screaming for attention.
Designer Gaurav Jagtiani says that although profanity or shock value is not new to fashion, it has now become a part of everyday street fashion. “Personally, I feel that it’s not in very good taste and may not be appropriate in all settings. But I am sure at certain events, the wearers want to create an impact and get noticed. Having said that, a certain amount of discretion does need to be practised.”
“I don’t think one needs bold prints or strong words to prove a point. Words speak more than actions. If certain phrases are printed on your clothes to raise awareness about some socially relevant issues, then it is appreciated. But vulgar phrases like ‘Sexually dyslexic’ or ‘Faceb*****’, which I see a lot these days, is just too vulgar. Brands are encouraging the youth with these ideas and making a mockery of things,” concludes young poet Halima Sadiya.