The Union Jack - an Iconic European Style Statement

[Lord Bracknell]

Having spent 10 days away from NSC and enjoying the delights of Italy, my apologies if this is something that has already been mentioned by the intrepid travellers who post here, but ... it's been impossible not to be struck by the huge numbers of people in Italy (of all ages) who are wearing versions of the UK flag on t-shirts, sweaters and dresses. Not brits abroad, but stylish locals. I guess it's a spin-off from the Olympics.

Has the UK suddenly become fashionable again?

 

[Silverhatch]

Yep noticed that too in France and especially Italy.

 

[Safeway]

Olympomania innit.

 

[brightn'ove]

In amsterdam last week, i saw in a few high street shoe shops some union flag inspired shoes, i think its very fashionable and i think it always has been, you know with the beatles, rock and roll then brit pop and now indie rock and the olympics.

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

I live in south west France and anything union jack is seen as "cool" with the youngsters
go in the local DIY shop mr bricolage and one will find lots of items,in particular furniture for teenagers with the union jack design
And the grown ups that speak english consider it a "status symbol"
on the whole english/brits are seen in a pretty good light in this corner of France

 

[Biancazzurro]

Paris had loads of Union Jack themed items in the shops when I was there last weekend, was a bit odd really, but then again 1000s of people here drive Fiat 500s with the Italian tricolor on the roof so perhaps not.

 

[Don Quixote]

I just went to Italy and I saw no one wearing union jacks. Where in Italy did you go?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

http://www.asos.com/it/Pepe-T-shirt-girocollo-con-bandiera-britannica/11hqg/?iid=1839813&r=2&mporgp=L1BlcGUvUGVwZS1Vbmlvbi1KYWNrLUNyZXctTmVjay1ULVNoaXJ0L1Byb2Qv

 

[Brixtaan]

Very interesting! Why The hell aren't we exporting more to them?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I just went to Italy and I saw no one wearing union jacks. Where in Italy did you go?

Bologna, Florence, Siena and lots of small places in southern Tuscany. They were everywhere, but only rarely in the full red, white and blue.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

I live in south west France and anything union jack is seen as "cool" with the youngsters
go in the local DIY shop mr bricolage and one will find lots of items,in particular furniture for teenagers with the union jack design
And the grown ups that speak english consider it a "status symbol"
on the whole english/brits are seen in a pretty good light in this corner of France

That's great i hope you can introduce them to the Stranglers.

 

[Safeway]

I want to see you wearing that next time I see you.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I want to see you wearing that next time I see you.

I'm just too mean to spend €50 on a vest.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

Was in Sicily in July/August and union jacks everywhere on t-shirts etc.

 

[Gwylan]

I live in south west France and anything union jack is seen as "cool" with the youngsters
go in the local DIY shop mr bricolage and one will find lots of items,in particular furniture for teenagers with the union jack design
And the grown ups that speak english consider it a "status symbol"
on the whole english/brits are seen in a pretty good light in this corner of France

Despite the so-called enmity between Britain and France, I've always found a high degree of anglophilia over there. The BCBGs tend to look fondly on British fashion and style, while kids tend to love pop music and urban fashion (not surprising when you listen to French charts).

It doesn't surprise me in the least that the Union Jack has become a fashion icon.

 

[Titus]

Pedant alert! It's the Union flag. FACT!

 

[Simster]

Pedant alert! It's the Union flag. FACT!

It is, but Union Jack is also acceptable in common parlance for the flag (as well as standard on a ship). FACT.

 

[Gwylan]

Pedant alert! It's the Union flag. FACT!

That's an urban myth

The Union Jack or The Union Flag?

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

That's great i hope you can introduce them to the Stranglers.

saw them in toulouse last april,the place was packed,i guess JJ being french helps

 

[Norman Potting]

Having spent 10 days away from NSC and enjoying the delights of Italy, my apologies if this is something that has already been mentioned by the intrepid travellers who post here, but ... it's been impossible not to be struck by the huge numbers of people in Italy (of all ages) who are wearing versions of the UK flag on t-shirts, sweaters and dresses. Not brits abroad, but stylish locals. I guess it's a spin-off from the Olympics.

Has the UK suddenly become fashionable again?

Funny that, I noticed that in France the Union Jack seemed to be everywhere, notebooks, T-shirts, pencil cases etc all aroung the HyperU's and elsewhere. Suspect that, unlike the Olympic logo, it isn't copywrite.