The ‘In’ Thing
I would not consider myself knowledgeable when it comes to fashion or style at all and am rather mystified by the latest trend to hit Bangkok.
It seems hugely over-priced, different coloured bands of rubber that have words imprinted on them are now cool when worn about the wrist
I’ve heard they are being sold for exhorbitant prices, so only the high-society, hip and young people (or those wishing to seem young) will have them. I’ve never lived in a society where what other people thought of you was so important.
On that note, a Thai friend of mine was recently explaining to me that China’s economic upswing has meant that the number of rich people is increasing, and that they desperately want to show everyone how rich they are to the point of lugging around bags of money to pay for very expensive products. While he was telling me this, I couldn’t help thinking “Isn’t that the way Thailand is?”.
How funny I just saw them being sold on the street in Siam Square just now. I didn’t pay attention to how much, but many people were buying them.
But I also know that some of these bangles have been for charity. For example in the USA the One campaign (http://www.one.org/)are issueing white ones, and you can packs of 10 for US$10.
They’re selling them for the wrong reasons here in Thailand, most of them were intended for charity causes.
I bought my yellow livestrong band, a year ago for $1… here in Thailand, they were selling it freakin 500B. Talking about capitalizing on the trends.
oh btw, welcome to the society of where what other people think of you is important.
Nike is using the black and white ones to stop racism.
I agree with Bonifide. I don’t think in Thailand they sell them for charity……but only for their own charity.
i got mine last year from a cyclist friend who is a major lance armstrong fan. it’s yellow. i can’t wear it. the adult size is too big. but that means i have an empty wrist for p’paul to buy me a cartier tank for my birthday. :)
Pip, I start buying Cartier ANYTHING for hot young Thai women, I’m gonna be just like Lance: missing a nut =D
I have a hot pink one I got from Giordano in their “World Without Strangers” campaign, and am buying a whole bunch of blue ones (with jigsaw pieces on it) from the National Autism Association.
they were going for as much a 1000 Baht, but now can be found for 35 Baht for a fake. hmmm….how can you tell the difference between a real one and a fake one? hehe
instead, i bought a neighbourhoodie. metblog’s patron.
Peter – well for the Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong bands… check if comes in a bag that has a nike symbol along with ‘Made in China’ on the bag. Made in China should also be imprinted on the backside of the band.
As for the other bands, I have no idea.
I don’t understand how one could say that the armbands are for charity. For instance, the Nike ones that are meant to stop racism. How is paying money for a black and white rubber armband helping Nike to stop racism?
It’s amazing that companies like Nike have duped people into paying money so that they can be ‘activists’. A word to the wise, you don’t need a black and white armband to fight racism.
I think IF you looked into it a little more – and I haven’t, so I am purely guessing here – that at least some proceeds from the Nike bands would go to some anti-racism cause. As I said, this is an assumption based on past experience of how things are sold for charity.
What ‘him’ said. The proceeds go to fight racism, cancer, or whatever other causes the bands are intended for.
True, you don’t need an armband to fight racism, but most of us don’t do anything to fight racism, or any other worth while causes even though we see it in front our faces everyday.
I’ve been out this afternoon and seen the bands for sale just about everywhere, all around 150-200B, though I have no idea if they are legit or copies.
As Bonifide said – most people dont do anything to fight race or any other -ism – just saying you think it’s wrong doesn’t always help anyone but yourself. At least if you can find something that supports a worhty cause, you can do something.
I’m seeing these things everywhere now! Just last night I saw them being sold for 50 Baht! I was actually considering posting some photos of the different ones you can get but decided not to – I want this fad to die a quick and nasty death.
Maybe if, when exposed to extreme heat (as exists in Bangkok) they shrunk so much that the only way to get them off is amputation, that would stop people wearing them quickly!
Yeah it seems to be in at the moment huh?
Everybody wants to make one! I read on the paper today that one of the government’s organizations is making a wrist band. hmm…
What’s the point?
Maybe the government wants us to buy one, then they can drop all of them on the south in show of peace, love, repsect and patheticness.
hahah, They can always start sweatshops in the south to manufacture the very wristbands they will be bombarded with :) We better be careful with these ideas or Thaksin will want us to join his cabinet (in which case I accept, for disgustingly huge amounts of money).
I’ve never been a fan of ‘symbols’ of support, because I feel they become a fashion statement instead and an excuse to NOT talk about something – “I’ve got a wristband and now you want me to TALK about racism as well??”.
Wristbands are a business idea preying on tree-hugging, hippy activists (like me), while masquerading as a good cause. It seems it’s working too.
I just wanted to say that for those who are fed up with dumb ass wristbands.. here’s one that’s totally worthwhile…
The Livewrong Band
I’m all for capitalism semi-aimed for good causes.
People gotta make a living too. :P
By those government bands are now available at 7/11 for 99 baht in your choice sizzling red & hypnotic blue colors. =)
Hey, found this on the nation’s website today. No mention of an airdrop ; )
Charitable way to look fantastic
Fashion victims who have thus far, bewilderingly, refused to get with it and don a rubber wristband now have a new option for showing that they
i havent read all these comments so i dont know if its already been said, but didnt this fad start with those livestrong things that donated money to cancer research? they can have my 500 baht.
i got my yellow livestrong band and a racism band from eBay when they arrived THEY WERE ALL FAKE THEY WERE MADE OF PLASTIC THINGIES I THINK, WUT A RIP OFFFFFFFFFFFFF…..DONT EVER WASTE UR MONEY FOR FAKE ONES!!!!!
How exactly does a band of rubber with a word imprinted upon it become genuine? I mean, there’s only three criteria for it to be genuine (band, rubber, word imprinted), how could you go wrong?