You may have seen my last political slogan t-shirt referring to the plight of immigrants, I AM AN IMMIGRANT.
Well I am an immigrant & for the record my stance on this is simple, we are all immigrants. I mean either we all are or we all aren’t.
Allow me to explain – My Great Grandparents left London for Sydney with £50 from the UK government & the promise of a beautiful life Down Under. Along with their two daughters, sons-in-law plus my Mother who was 5 years old. They all lived in the same house for many years & worked hard to make pretty decent lives for themselves. A mere seventeen years later my Mum married my Dad & soon after that I was born. I grew up in Australia. As an adult I travelled the world but settled in the UK & hold a British passport. Does that mean I have come home?
My Grandmother died yesterday aged 96. In the end she lived in Australia far longer than she lived in England. Yet I wonder how long she was considered an immigrant before she became a true blue Aussie? She retained her British accent, a give away ’til the day she died. I remember when she was naturalised, ack what a word. I don’t recall if that was the turning point although I doubt it. You see how silly this all sounds? Humans have explored the planet since they stood up on two legs so who’s to say what being a local truly is? How many generations does it take to belong somewhere? It makes no sense to me, in the big scheme of things. Isn’t everyone well-travelled these days? Perhaps not. Unless you’re idea of travelling is going on holiday to theme parks & resorts entirely populated by your fellow countrymen. Never venturing outside the gates, even for a meal. I’m sure you know what I mean.
Maybe that’s where this narrow-minded immigration policy stems from? People who don’t travel just don’t get it. Experiencing other countries, customs & lifestyles serves to open our minds (& hearts) to different ways of being…Being human. When that happens there is no place for racism to exist.
So back to our topic today which is actually the political slogan t-shirt in general. By political I mean a statement on something about which you feel very strongly. A view that could cause offence & may be anything from your sexual preference to party allegiance. I am not asking whether it’s right to wear your beliefs emblazoned across your chest. My question for you is whether it is fashionable? Vivienne Westwood certainly believes so & you can’t get more fashiony than fashion royalty! Obviously I’m going to agree with Ms Westwood, who I happen to adore as much for her unique style as her staunch ethics.
Had I not recently worn my customized maxi skirt in this post it would’ve been my first choice today. My T-shirt packs such a clever punch for it’s ironic nod to Gucci that I could quite joyfully style it right up to the max! I’m picturing it blinged out like a ball gown for full effect. However for today’s post I’m doing 80’s retro, for a change heeheehee sorry it’s an illness. My Chanel mini adds some glam & these Marks and Spencer wedges (on sale btw) add height. Gold hoop earrings, green aviator shades, Farrah do & I’m done. You like?
SHOP SLOGAN T-SHIRTS
SHOP PLEATED DENIM SKIRTS
I bought this skirt from a little independent boutique in Melbourne 22 years ago yet as you can see it hasn’t dated one bit. That’s not to say it has always been on trend, in fact there have been years when I didn’t wear it at all. However when I invest in an interesting piece such as this sooner or later the time will come to style it up again. Cost to wear ratio is a legitimate factor that helps me decide whether I can afford to buy an expensive item. Although it has become such a habit I tend to do it with every purchase these days anyway. I mean do you think this skirt would still look so good if I’d bought it at Primark? Mind you that’s not the only reason I wouldn’t step foot in that horrendous shop.
UNCONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM
Speaking of cheap clothing I’ve been meaning to ask if anyone’s seen the advert on T.V for JUSTFAB Shoes? It opens with a guy complaining about the amount of shoes his girlfriend owns. Then cuts to her in an enormous room of floor to ceiling cheap crap shoes. She turns angrily to him & says something about the fact that she works hard so can buy anything she wants etc.
Now this ad offends me on many levels so I’ll break it down to basic points. Firstly, it’s a massive con specifically aimed at young working women. To enjoy the thrill of a new pair of shoes every month they must sign up to “VIP membership” which is code for subscription. £35 is automatically debited from their bank account each month whether they chose a pair of shoes or not! They literally have to go online & opt out for the month so it’s highly likely many are caught on this fine point.
Secondly, NOBODY should be buying 12 pairs of shoes a year! It’s disgusting consumerism at its most obscene, promoting this as a right is very wrong. As we all know many people toil for very little reward, working hard does not make you entitled nor guarantee you riches. A popular (read – lame) argument I hear from the haves to the have nots goes something like this – “I worked hard for what I have! If they work hard they can buy a house, go to university, own a pair of shoes for every day of the week….” blah blahdy blah.
Finally, just imagine how it is possible for a company to produce all their footwear at such an incredibly low price point. I’m guessing the shoes are utter shite & made in sweat shops or worse, whatcha reckon? JUSTFAB Shoes including Fabletics was conceived by two murky men with a history of dirty tricks business models. The Silicon Valley company is valued at an estimated $1billion. I don’t know about you but that makes me physically sick.
Ladies I just wanted you to know so you can warn your daughters & granddaughters. I’m fed up with big company’s pushing disposable fashion as a lifestyle choice. It’s vile but what’s more it’s killing our Planet & it has to stop. There is a very simple fix if we all wake up & smell the future… If nobody buys it, it doesn’t sell & if it doesn’t sell it will not be manufactured.
Have a fabulous week lovelies, xxx
Comments ( 32 )
Deborah Foster
It feels as if we all need to be political these days, even if it is just wearing the T shirt. I love ❤️ this one , it like the man himself gives me hope!
MT
I agree, strange times but also incredibly exciting don’t you think? I feel a revolution in the air…
Ursula in Cádiz
So with you on the immigration; we are ALL immigrants! And I so want your skirt – that’s willpower right there to have kept it for so long, or maybe you haven’t moved 18 times to 5 different countries over 3 continents in those years? (No? just me?) Sadly, the links to ‘shop skirts’ just take me to Pinterest with no details (usually, even if you’ve used a Pin, there would be a website address to click on). Am I doing something wrong? That fishtail pleat one is calling my name!
PS Am now going to hearing an Aussie accent reading your prose 😉
MT
Crikey that’s a lotta moving over the planet lady! I have moved a few times so I totally get what you mean, but 18 times wowszers that’s impressive 😉
Now as for the skirt links, I know what’s happening. You need to hover over the shop name rather than the image itself. So when you hover at the bottom of the image you should see the shop name appear, click that. The reason you’re getting pinterest is because I installed a plugin so all my images are pinnable. The trouble is it works on ALL my images & there’s no option to change it. It’s a pain I know, sorry about that Ursula. Happy shopping! xxx
sara delaney
I’m definitely a fan of any slogan tee – loving the gucci-tastic nature of yours too! xx
MT
Thanks doll xx
Jamie
Love the tees but that skirt is everything!
MT
Heehee thanks honey x
Nicola
I just had to pop in and say how much I loved your piece on immigration. You are so right – we are all immigrants. I left the UK 18 years ago but still consider myself British ( although the other day I was chatting to a Danish friend and referred to “us Europeans” and then wondered if I will even be able to say that post Brexit). My family came to England in 1066 from France and farmed the same piece of land for 800 years. My father, grandfather and great grandfather served in the British armed forces and quite a few of my family died defending Britain. I worked and paid taxes in the UK from the age of 14 until I left at 32 but I don’t feel particularly welcome in the UK now – mean spirited politicians and bureaucrats have made returning so difficult. i don’t understand where the notion that immigrants rort the system comes from because I’m a British citizen and wouldn’t be entitled to anything straight away if I moved back.
MT
I’m so pleased you did Nicola, this is such a fascinating story! I feel very much a kindred spirit to you after reading this, thank you so much for sharing. Something I didn’t mention about my little immigration story is that I was on the dole in London at one point. It was at a time when my work was scarce & I couldn’t pay the rent even though I was already eating beans every night. They didn’t make it easy to sign on every month let me tell you, I jumped through hoops for that money but was eternally grateful it was there as a safety net. After a year I was back on my feet, working & paying tax. I believe this is how it is for most people in hard times, especially immigrants. Sadly there are some disgusting people in the media who take pleasure in highlighting the small minority of individuals who take advantage of the system. This gives the impression that everyone is out to get something for nothing. When in actual fact the majority are busting a gut to get out from underneath poverty & would love nothing more than to stand on their own two feet & provide for their family.
I for one would never want to see the end of social services even if it means sometimes people do the wrong thing. And yes you’re right about mean spirited politicians, many of whom are extremely wealthy & have no empathy for the ordinary citizen. I don’t understand why people vote for those types when they’re clearly living in ivory towers. How the hell can they call themselves public servants?
No Fear of Fashion
Ah.. difficult post. But I don’t want to chicken out so I will comment.
Yes, I totally agree on your statement that we are all immigrants. Protecting your own little space is however also a thing we are doing since we are on two legs. And that is where it stems from: fear, protectionism, racism etc. Nobody wants to lose even the slightest bit of what he has accumulated. It is a sad thing we share so little and condemn so much and so many. I think it is human nature and I am not that keen on humans for that reason really. If I look at the cruelness in the world I want to sweep all humans from the earth. It is a good thing I am not in charge of THE button.
As for buying shoes… I have to confess… I buy a lot of clothes and shoes. Not cheap, fast fashion shoes, but more expensive shoes. That does’t make it right I suppose. Does it help if I say I always give my shoes and clothes to women who are less fortunate? Never in a second hand heap?
Hope you still like me after this confession.
Greetje
MT
Are you kidding me? I love you even more after reading this! And yes I believe it is quite different indeed to buy expensive shoes even on a large scale. Especially as you are passing them on to others less fortunate. I think that’s awesome xxx
Rozanne Swift
I am a big fan of the t-shirt and the man, his policies are a breath of fresh blowing through the accumulated stench of years of Tory sh*t. Your comment about Justfab shoes – not needing a new pair of shoes every month – made me take stock of my own (modest, by advertisers’ standards) shoe collection. I would never get sucked into the Justfab model but I probably have bought around 10 pairs of shoes in the last year or so. And how many do I regularly wear…. Hmmm. Facing that uncomfortable truth, I am this very moment having a purge and the too-high heels and too-tight toes are headed for the charity shop. My conscious consumption journey continues. Thanks for this honest and heartfelt post.
MT
Why am I not surprised that you’re a fellow Corbyn supporter Rozanne! I just hope he comes out as a closet Remainer at some point, don’t you?
As for your shoe collection, I’m happy to hear your ditching the ones that don’t work for you. I think that’s the key to a successful collection. Buying the right ones from the get go means they last longer, don’t date & are comfortable. Sometimes I wait a very long time to find the perfect pair & sometimes it takes a while before I can afford them but I can tell you it is worth it. Saying that I do get rather attached, I mean in a weirdo way. Like as if they’re my oldest, dearest friends. So the other day I noticed my orange Prada sandals were getting way too thin on the sole & I almost burst into tears hahahaha. Yup true story. I thought omg one day they will be worn through & beyond help & I will have to throw them in the bin!!!! What a nut job 😉
Rozanne Swift
Oh my gosh Michelle, I find your admission about treasuring your shoes oddly moving!! If we could all start cherishing our clothing as we do our dearest friends, that would surely put a stop to impulsive, superficial purchases. After all, a girl only needs so many friends, right (or is that the introvert in me talking). And how wonderful to wear something next to your skin that you also hold close to your heart! You’re an inspirational nut job. ;o) And YES to hoping Corbyn is a closet remainer, that is the only question mark over him, for me. I omitted to express my condolences on your grandmother’s death, I am sorry, Enjoy the happy memories xx
MT
Oooh I like your thinking on cherishing our clothes. There could be something in that Rozanne, after all it would put paid to the “disposable” mentality that’s popular at the moment. I just don’t understand that line of thinking at all, I mean why buy something to wear once? It doesn’t make sense to me at all. If I love it enough to buy it, I wanna wear it a lot!
I agree also with your question mark over Corbyn but in the end I’m prepared to take the risk because I really believe in 99% of his politics. We can’t carry on with austerity, it will ruin this generation’s chance of a decent life whilst leaving the planet in a mess for them to deal with.
Thank you for always leaving such thoughtful comments Rozanne, I could chat with you for ages xxx
cathe
I saw a political Tee that I’m very much wanting to purchase it says “F*ck Trump” And I would wear it well but some people might get offended at my illustrious language while they laud a man who debases women, the disabled and……..I need to stop.
So I will tell you that I do wear a political Tee. It says “Patsy Stone for President” And it has Patsy’s image smoking and holding a drink. I love that shirt!!
MT
Ok I am so glad you brought this up Catherine. The problem I have with the word “fuck” is when it is used blatantly or not spelled out correctly. I love swear words in context but I understand not wanting to offend others. I had a mini moment before I used this word in my last Instagram post but ultimately I knew it was what I wanted to say & it was definitely not meant to offend anyone. If someone is offended by reading the word then that’s their problem & they should get over themselves. As for writing the word minus a letter or two, I ask what is the point? You know what the word is. Is it less offensive because a letter is removed? Come on!
Helen Mirren said “At 70 years old if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to use the words “fuck off” more frequently”
She didn’t say bleep off Hahahaha! Get the fuck Trump t-shirt Catherine, after all you can choose when would be appropriate to wear it right?
Emerald
Sorry to hear about your grandmother. Hope you have lots of great memories of your time together x.
Couldn’t agree more about the shoe ad – fashion should be fun, but not to the detriment of the earth. I think we’re probably in the same page about a few things!
Love the tee – as an Aussie I hope you can appreciate that I still rock my AC/DC one (and it’s glittery!).
MT
Thank you Emerald, yes I do have a lot of wonderful memories of Nan. She was in a pretty bad way with dementia so it was a blessing really. I feel bad not being at the funeral tomorrow. Not for Nan but for her sister, my Great Aunt. She has understandably taken it very badly but the trouble is she also has dementia. I contemplated flying over just for the week but everyone there said it would be far worse when I had to leave her & would probably upset her even more. Anyway that’s life, we should all be so lucky to live that long right?
And YES to the ACCA DACCA TEE! I bet it looks awesome with a pair of tailored wide leg trews 😉
ABby@Midlifecrisisnut
I’m sorry about your Grandma. It’s always sad to say goodbye … About the slogan tee – Absolutely! And on top of it she fits into a skirt she bought over twenty years ago! Well done Hottie! Have a great summer! xx Abby
MT
Thank you Abby, she & I were very close. I am lucky to have had my grandparents throughout my childhood & to have been close to them all. She had an amazing life, it’s sad for her sister who is the only one of that generation left in our family xx
nancy
My condolances on your grandmothers passing.
Anything that comes of the hands or brain or mouth of Vivienne Westwood is good to me! I am a fan since she opened her first shop1 What a women.
MT
Thank you so much Nancy…
Agree 100% VW is a genius, long may she reign!
xx
SUzy Turner
I’m so sorry about your Grandmother, Michelle. How sad, but wonderful that she lived to such a grand old age! About immigration – we are all citizens of earth, that’s how I look at it. We should be allowed to go wherever we please, right?
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com & http://www.yogadocious.com
MT
Thanks Suzy, yeah I’m not sad she did have a brilliant life & I shared a lot with her.
I agre with you on immigration – I think even the word is useless/redundant but I may be in the minority there 😉 You & I will stick together on this xx
Antonia
You are killing it in that tee Michelle! I think I mentioned on Instagram that I think that we censor ourselves a lot, particularly if you have a brand to protect but why the hell not stand up for what you believe? Really good t-shirt edit by the way, thank you!
MT
Yep in the end that was the conclusion I came to as well Antonia. Being myself is my brand but yes I do hesitate slightly when I could offend people. Having said that, I also want to be authentic & not sensor my views just to be popular. Nothing winds me up more than influencers being phoney. You know that constant fake gratitude & love for absolutely everything & everyone? Instagram is rife with it, although I see it works well for gaining popularity, guess my success as an influencer will take a little longer…. It’s all a bit too perfectly played for my liking.
Renia Jazdzyk
I LOVE t-shirts with slogans! And yours is perfect!! Great look dear!
Can I please have your tiny Chanel bag? Its like a cherry on the top <3
Have a lovely day Michelle <3
Kisses
MT
Ah yes my mini is a beauty isn’t it Renia? You’re a handbag lover after my own heart with your outstanding collection! xx
Anita Irlen
I’m an immigrant too. I was born in Australia, to Latvian parents, I’ve lived most of my life in the United States, and I dream of returning to Europe to live. We are all immigrants, yes. And I do believe that political t-shirts can be stylish. I love the nasty woman one.
MT
Hi Anita, sorry for my tardy reply…school holidays, Italy & poor wifi have been keeping me from RCM. This topic is very close to my heart. I started travelling at a very young age & so for most of my life feel like a citizen of the world. Never from anywhere in particular but always feeling at home wherever I lay my head. I have had many conversations & heated arguments about the stupidity of borders because I feel the Planet isn’t ours to chop up & ultimately people should be able to move freely. Of course there are some who take advantage of generous countries but they’re the minority. Most people just want to work for a good life & contribute to society. For the sake of the majority I believe those few bad apples are worth tolerating. Unfortunately where the economy is concerned, fear is used to to control the masses, generate hate & ultimately keep the gates locked. Of course the rise in terrorism has also helped with the border & immigration issues but I genuinely believe there is a much deeper problem we must deal with there. Foreign policy.
P.S. LOVE NASTY WOMAN 😉