You’re My Only Hope

Let me start by saying that I think I am most likely going to blame Pinterest for my latest pet peeve. Whenever I have been online of late, I have been overwhelmingly bombarded with an army of Star Wars paraphernalia. Anything from Yoda salt and peppers pots, to R2D2 swimming costumes – since when have the most famous Lucas films transformed into a fashion and homeware trend? Undoubtedly some of the most iconic science fiction motion pictures to ever be produced, the original trilogy and later instalments have been worshipped by popular culture since the initial release of ‘A New Hope’ in the late seventies. When the first three films were re-released in the nineties, having been given a facelift and glossy new packaging, it became obvious that this was a cinematic phenomenon that was going to continue to hit the world with some serious force for many years to come.

After Harry Potter and James Bond, Star Wars is the third highest grossing film series ever to be made. But here’s the thing…If fans of J K Rowling’s tales of wizardry based school antics went around with lightening bolts drawn on their faces, cloaks billowing and unfortunate glasses, then we would most likely cast strange looks and condemn them for having been unable to draw the line between fiction and real life. Equally, if Bond lovers decided to live the high life by repeatedly breaking the speed limit whilst driving supercars without due care and attention, sleeping with numerous busty bombshells and frequently killing people in their spare time, they would most likely end up with a jail sentence and a sexually transmitted infection. Consequently, I would love to know why, as someone who enjoys watching an intergalactic war take place in a fictional galaxy, you would be expected to don Chewbacca print leggings and tie your hair in two unattractive plaited buns?

I would like to state that themed conventions and film release nights are most definitely an exception to this rule. In my book, if you enjoy dressing in costume as a fictitious creature or character whilst socialising with other like-minded individuals then be my guest. The same too goes for Halloween or other occasions that demand fancy dress – don’t be that person who doesn’t fully commit, opting to wear some sort of ears on a headband and a lame t-shirt; if you want to be an Ewok for a night, then get furry people! However, on a day-to-day basis I fail to see the need to brashly display your cinematic preferences across your clothing. In the same way, I can’t understand the desire for oversized branding, advertising where you purchased your otherwise unremarkable hooded sweatshirt, or why young teens will proudly wear ‘vintage’ band t-shirts featuring musicians they have never heard of, (if you don’t know who Kurt Cobain is then maybe you should ditch the Nirvana logo.)

As I said initially, I think Pinterest should take a large portion of blame for this terrible trend.  One of the most successful social networking sites currently on offer, which has grown impressively quickly and is a personal favourite of mine, does have a knack for stirring micro trends amongst users that later bubble up to our high streets. What users need to remember however is this: re-pin appealing pictures until your heart is content, but if you ever begin to consider actually owning any movie themed clothing or accessories then simply ask yourself  ‘What Would Vader Do?’ and don all black instead.

By Sophie Seymour