Sociology, semiotics, and a number of other disciplines teach us that what we look like, how we act, and whatever other signs we as humans are sending define us as individuals.
One of the more obvious ways of doing so is wearing particular clothing. Something baggy or loose-fitting definitely sends a drastically different message than formal, straight-line attire. Heck, even two hoodies might mean different things if one’s a black affair with an old school rock band’s logo as opposed to a pink hoodie with some #justgirlthings poetry.
But what the following fashion statements in the form of badly-designed clothing might mean in general—I mean, your guess is as good as mine.
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Thanks To This Woman’s Amazon Review I Promptly Removed This Dress From My Cart
Kind of defeats the phrase, "My eyes are up here!"
Load More Replies...But when you want it, you might order one anyway. The fabric is usually cut without considering where the prints may end up. So every dress turns out different, therefore, other dresses may not have this problem. Or have it worse - lol.
And this also leads me to believe that she ordered the wrong size. The dress is looser on the model. I've done this in the past, especially if they're Asian sizes. (For those not aware, this is an actual thing and some online retailers will tell you that sizes are smaller than western sizes. I'm not being derogatory.)
Load More Replies...Have it, love it. The pattern on the boob is just that one. They're not identical.
My Girlfriend's Peepi Socks Finally Arrived
My Dad Found A Face As The Pocket Of His Pepperoni Pizza Pants
Clearly someone cancelled the order for something with their face on it. Fabric is fabric, the manufacturer recycled it into non-visible parts of other garments.
Load More Replies...Suddenly as a woman I don't think I want pockets anymore.
It’s a bit hard to explain how design can be bad. Much of it boils down to taste, and you can’t really argue over it. Well, OK, you can, but you ultimately need an objective frame of reference to argue taste. And that demands loads of time on your part to get educated as to what fine art is and is a whole complex story that you can rabbit-hole yourself into by reading an article we wrote about great execution but poor taste.
This ~$960 Bag Which Looks Like There's Mold On It
Business plan: start leaving handbags in a damp cellar and then sell them off for hundreds of dollars 💰💰💰
I think a few scuffs and you could go to 4 digits
Load More Replies...It looks like some little kid started stabbing it with a pencil lol
So you can look like an "up scale" dumpster diver? That's just disgusting.
Tie-Dye Design Hoody Just Looks Like Grease Splashes
Same. I'm so tired of lending my clothes to my sister in order to get this look (sorry sis XD)
Load More Replies...Not Very Well Thought Through If You Ask Me
And why should people care if they can see the outline of a normal part of human anatomy under cloth?
Because it makes them aroused,and they feel guilty and uncomfortable because of it. Sad. I like feeling aroused.
Load More Replies...you don't wear innapropriate clothes, they have inappropriate thoughts
Maybe that's the answer, 'Ma'am I'm really a man and therefore allowed to show the nipples'
Load More Replies...Listen Brenda, I can't control what my nipples do, because BIOLOGY. But thanks for the heads up you're staring at my tits.
I wore clothing to work that allowed nip bumps. I didn't think anything about it. I did not realize until many years later that anyone might have been made uncomfortable about this. No one ever said anything, but there might have been lots of raised eyebrows. When did nip outlines become a problem? Funny - it never has been for men's apparel.
Anywho, in terms of more technical aspects of the execution, bad design becomes more easy to identify. The most obvious one would be misspellings or mislabeled (or even misinterpreted) designs. Think AIDS sneakers, Google Slides slippers, or Captain A’Mario. Here, you can immediately see that something is off—either it’s an allusion to something real or a sad attempt at alluding to something that just makes zero sense thematically.
Heavy Pants
Best Nike Off-Brand Ever
I used to have a hoodie with an upside down Nike tick and "Just done it" underneath
Condensation For Days
I remember that movie!!!! Somehow they got a lot of plastic ND didn t know what to do and made this trouser I guess
Load More Replies...Wild! Those are from a movie called "So Fine" about a marketing exec that comes up with this new fashion sensation.
I've seen this post everywhere and honestly it gets worse the longer I look at it
I think it's hilarious that props from a movie from 1981!!! are a thing now. They looked stupid then.
Then there’s an artistic decision made that didn’t really translate well onto the fabric. Someone might have wanted a unique, scattered pattern on this bag over here, but the end result looked like the bag spent three months in a plastic bag, soaking in all the fungus from a loaf of bread someone decided to put in there as well. Same with stain marks on this hoodie—someone might’ve wanted a grease-monkey mechanic’s look, but ended up looking like someone hit the gym in a repair shop.
Sup[er]h[er]oes
Nah, they probably had to buy them themselves, with a mandatory deduction from their paycheck.
Load More Replies...Michael Jackson Backpack
isnt that face a creepypasta? Ayuwoki or something like that?
That is a anamatronic. Michael Jackson actually looked very different. Look it up and maybe have respect for him.
My New Ugly Sweater
Oh yes, need it for ugly christmassweater-day in the office. where can I get one?
And then there’s just flat out not thinking it through. Imagine creating a perfectly logical design only to add an element that negates it completely. Thinking outside the box when the box is enough to think inside it is a great example. Or highlighting letters to make a point only to accidentally highlight other letters that make another point.
The Brand Name Of My Daughter's Shirt
I have a shirt I bought strictly because the tag read "sheninagians"
Its-A Me, Captain America
Found This Bootleg At My Local Thrift Store
stop trying to make "fetch" happen, it's not going to happen! ;)
Load More Replies...So, why is this a thing in the first place? Minus a lack of talent and aptitude for design, there’s a bit of a misconception about misspelled trademarks in that they don’t really avoid a lawsuit. One lawyer argued that even if a trademark is misspelled, the actual brand might have the power to take it down. If the design is too similar to the original one, it doesn't matter if it’s for a product for a different industry, the whole idea behind them is to distinguish itself and cause less confusion for customers. Besides, you can never know if YouTube will one day want to branch out into tubs and bathroom accessories with a brand like YouTub.
Wanted To Buy Some Brand Name Flip-Flops But My Wallet Was Like
Did they make the straps out of reusable shopping bag handles?
Think Inside The Box First
They already had three in a row, I mean...you'd think they'd check 🤷
also, if ther only was one letter in those two words, that looks like a 'O' 🤷♂️
Load More Replies...The North Face Who?
A while back some kid tried this, using the logo "the south butt". He had to stop when threatened with a lawsuit.
I saw someone wearing a "The South Butt" jacket in the post office one time! It may be the only memorable trip to the post office I've ever had.
Load More Replies...I live in Middlesbrough UK and you see a lot of bumper stickers round this area withe the North face logo and The North East written instead
And if we’re talking about trademark infringements, there are those who also avoid it by creating very believable fakes. Why? Because the final price tag is significantly lower than that of the original. Of course, it also comes with its own issues, like lack of quality in the materials and how it’s executed. But if you’re strapped for cash and still want to impress your friends with designer clothes, this is a reality.
Can't Really Wear My Favorite Death Metal Shirt In Good Faith Anymore
'Cattle Decapitation' (band) - 'Bring Back the Plague' (the song) from the album 'Death Atlas'. Maby not for the youngest to see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXGSLKWeVwE But in the music video there are stuff from the pandemic. But as 'Delta Dawn' writes below, it was released before news about pandemic? edit: some wrongs.
Load More Replies...This one? Came out in Nov 2019. Now we know who’s really responsible for covid! /jk https://cattledecapitation.bandcamp.com/track/bring-back-the-plague
By the looks of his mirror, it appears he has already brought the plague back.
Cattle Decapitation. They rule. I have one that says that too, but a different design. I wear it proudly.
$600 Balenciaga Shoes Spotted On The Subway
The fact that some idiot would actually pay $600 to wear these when they look just as terrible as Crocs, only less comfortable, is just sad.
Ham Socks
And who ever thought that H&M was something exclusive that had to be copied?
In the US, HAM doesn't always stand for meat, sometimes it's an acronym for something else.
Hammmmmmmmm https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IC0R5afkJj4
Load More Replies...And this little piggy went to market, this little piggy went home… but ALL the piggies were wrapped up in a sock- so their foot home could now roam!
I saw Vsie Gliep pliers in a dollar store once, and lots of Sharpei markers
Incidentally, when we think of bootleg products, the culprit is often China. China is the biggest manufacturer of products in the world. And so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that nearly two-thirds—63.2%—of all counterfeit seizures in the world are done in China.
China is home to a lot of skilled workers who can copy and make designs with little effort. And the country’s policies against counterfeits have enough loopholes to make the industry thrive through sneaky channels and open-air wholesale markets.
Instead Of A Printed Sweater I Received A Sweater With A Print Of Printed Sweater
Okay that is kind of funny. So you know what you got to do for your next shirt, right! Sweater with a printed sweater of the printed sweater!.
And with what looks like mice or rats eating Kenny.
Load More Replies...Lies
They should rename their brand to "Air" because that's mostly what's in the bag.
Load More Replies...Beautiful
That's not Tom, but a character named Topsy. He was a friend or a cousin of Tom. I watched so much Tom and Jerry that I know almost all the characters.
Load More Replies...But there’s also the issue of luxury companies diminishing in quality, slowly but surely becoming generic versions of otherwise expensive brands. And so when the Regular Joe can’t really distinguish between the quality of the fake and the real product—or the difference is minuscule—they end up going with the cheaper option.
And then there’s stories like that of Dapper Dan, forcing folks to at least consider for a second how bootlegs might be a necessary evil in progressing fashion.
I’ve Never Seen A Pair Of Dress Shoes With Split Toes
These are a take on Japanese tabi socks/tabi boots. Literally listed as "men's tabi dress shoes". And yes, they make tabi dress shoes for women. Considering that is based on a cultural item many people may not be familiar with, I'm not sure it's a "fashion fail", just a cultural misunderstanding.
When you have a fancy dinner at 7 but need to assassinate the shogun at 8.
They Went Through All The Effort To Add A Working Zipper, But Not Functional Pockets
Should always check before you buy even if you buy online look at every description there is about that item
I Saw This Backpack That Looks Like A McDonald's Bag
I love this. Reminds of of the 90s underground scene where girls would actually use mcds bags and happy meal boxes to put thier stuff in and I always loved those girls.
Long story short, Dapper Dan is a Harlem fashion designer who, back in 1982, opened up a boutique that offered the look and feel of high-end brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, but adapted them to new monogram designs—designs that folks wanted, but these bigger brands didn’t deal in them. Decades later, this became a staple for other designers to reference, thus creating a new kind of fashion.
Found In Kurdistan
Backpack Shoe
Nostalgia is a very useful marketing tool. I like them too.
Load More Replies...Exactly! I have a pair from 20 years ago that still fit that I can stash some money or a key in.
Load More Replies...I’m going to go out on a limb here …but I’m guessing that you got what you paid for. This is what you get when you pay $2 on Temu for an item that you know you should have paid well more than that.
The Amazing Tarantula
The incredible adventures of Tarantulaman and his sidekick DaddyLongLegs!
Perfumes I had seen for sale in China: Fang Bird, Old Ham, and Rupture.
And, as is also in good fashion, we’d love to hear from you about anything and everything you read here today in the comment section below.
And if you need another design fail fix, look no further than this epic and hilarious design fail listicle brought to you by the Design Failures Instagram page.
Blursed Slides
My Girlfriend’s Expensive Jeans That Came With Fake Pockets. Can’t Even Return Them Now
They say that women always have a purse. Then they remove pockets from the stuff of two year olds. GIVE ME A TWO YEAR OLD THAT WOULD BE CARRYING A F*****G PURSE!!!!
Load More Replies...Fake pockets have been a staple of women's fashion for longer than you would imagine. There have been many attempts to rebel against it, including over a hundred years ago women taking to wearing jeans to make a statement against the gender inequality of the clothing industry.
I hope there is a special, extra-nasty place in Hell for the person who came up with false pockets on women's clothing
Load More Replies...It's not just in expensive jeans it's in almost every clothing item for women
Baffled by the stupidity. Tell your girlfriend that if she wants pockets to not buy SKINNY jeans. Jeans come in so many different styles - skinny jeans are literally the only style that - for obvious reasons - don't have 'functional' pockets.
To all women---boycott these cursed fake pockers and zippers to nowhere
Tie-Dye Socks That Look Like Someone Used Them As A Toilet Paper
Boy, someone really got their ahh kicked! Edit: probably for not using TP, I guess.
Shrek 2
"I'm an ogre. Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
My Friend Ordered Herself Some New Gloves From Ebay. These Monstrosities Arrived Yesterday
Look on the bright side, you've just got the first piece of your 2024 Halloween zombie outfit.
Ah Yes, Just Like How I Remember It
Bad translation. The correct one would be “ Hola gatita “
Load More Replies...One of those ppl who don't realise there are more languages than just English. So either an English person or an American 😉
In Spanish it would not be correct either. In Spanish the translation would be "hola gatita".
Load More Replies...Like
These Jean Pants Are Upside Down
Pockets, FINALLY! Alas, they are upside down and all the stuff will fall out.
Genius! wearing the school girl skirt completes the illusion, unless they are really wearing them like that, cause it is feasible if you think about it. I love it!
Totoro The Hedgehog
I Am Laughing So Hard I Can't Even
Did they think if they rearranged the letters they won't get sued for trademark infringement?
They’re just confused on the directions is it north is it west? Is it the north face? It happens people get confused you never know what direction you’re going
I have an Amtrak jacket. It's waterproof, warm (with a sweater underneath), and has amazing pockets. I wear it a lot. I was in Chicago Union Station and a man came up and asked for directions to a particular Amtrak facility, which I wasn't sure of, so I said I didn't work for Amtrak. "You must. You're wearing an Amtrak jacket. Where is...?" Repeat twice, and he was getting angry, and I was frustrated. He was wearing a North Face jacket, so I asked if he'd been up the North Face.
Complete With Hair And Sweat
I Was Startled At First Because I Didn’t Think It Was Possible
I thought we were supposed to be looking at her shoes which resemble the golden arches and look to have ketchup and mustard on them??
I guess that it's supposed to be that the white part of her leggings blends with the white wall, making her legs look extremely thin; except that the whites really don't match, so her legs look normal to me.
Load More Replies...Got This New Hoodie And Everybody Has Asked Me Why I Am Wet And I Have To Tell Them It's Just The Design Of The Hoodie
I'm a messy eater at it is. No way do I need to then by a top that looks like I fought my spaghetti with olive oil and lost.
Yes. It is important to remember to put the dipstick back before you start the car's engine.
My Friend Bought A Shirt From Her High School In Lone Grove Oklahoma. She Didn’t Try It On First
They've tried to ban it a few months ago. Like chill it was a colour way before some people made it derogatory
Load More Replies...Only racists would think that this is a big deal. No surprise that this comes from OK.
Happy New Year
Don't worry you didn't miss much, but we are now on the 1000000th strain of covid and we now all bark to say hello
Load More Replies...these stupid things should have died out ages ago, but somehow they're still going even when they clearly don't work anymore
Can we retire this style of new year's glasses? It should only be made if the year contains two zeros.
Mockey
Nooo, I like the Christmas tree! It's so Charlie Brown!
Load More Replies...Maybe not, since Mickey Mouse is now public domain.
Load More Replies...Oh Mockey you’re so fine you’re so fine you blow my mind oh Mockey
I Can't Even
The funny thing is that the counterfeiters themselves have long since lost track. They sometimes copy counterfeits of counterfeits, which are then counterfeited themselves and copied by others......look ⬇️ for a picture from the Plagiarism Museum in Germany. On the left side there are the original products of a well-known cellulose handkerchief product. On the right there are the replicas and the copies of copied replicas...🤭
Load More Replies...They should have a show worlds dumbest forgers goes along with worlds dumbest criminals, which is basically what that is
The Design On My Girlfriend's Yoga Pants Makes It Look Like They're Covered In Fur
Cat and various colored guinea pigs - everything I own has fur you can see...
I have a white cat. I don't need any help in looking like my clothes are covered with fluff.
Nine: Consider Doing It
Air Force Juans
This Is Always Infuriating
pretty much happens with every hoodie. I instantly unzip mine when I sit, for this very reason.
Same. It's even worse when it happens with jeans, though.
Load More Replies...These Unusual Pants I Saw At The Mall
I like them, ok shush I know I'll go and sit in the corner and think about my choices
They have a resemblance of fish fins, maybe that’s why you like them 🤡🐠
Load More Replies...I... Like... These... Plz don't hate me. Well, too late. ARRRRRRRRRGH *runs away from people who hate it*
Actually the more I look at them the more I like. They're like mermaidish that's cute for like a bohemian event
Load More Replies...Something The Grinch Would Sport When He’s Robbing All Your Christmas Gifts
That Design On My Son's T-Shirt
There's a hell Michigan so every year hell does freeze over.
Load More Replies...What Are You Trying To Say?
It's cut off, the old design says I don't ___ I quack, and the new one says Donald Duck Club
He's Had These Zumba Pants For A While. Hadn't Noticed
I guess the entire word must be cumbia, bit hilarious anyway because you se cum and caliente (Spanish word for hot, in a bad way ) in the other leg.
My Partner Told Me She Got Me Some Designer Socks
Odd that they got the label right, but screwed up the name and logo on the product. My Tarantula senses tell me something's not right here.
ah yes clavin klain, an icon of the 90s! along with tammy hilfogger, malph lauren, hewgo borss...
That's Not A Unicorn
that is, in fact, a pegasus. i remember this because of many years of correcting my dad when he got it wrong
not "a pegasus" a winged horse. Pegasus was the name of a specific one, not of the species.
Load More Replies...Why Can't Women Get Pockets?
I think some woman complained once that having stuff in her pockets made her body look bumpy and they stopped making pockets ever since.
I would say some man decided women didn't look good with stuff in their pockets...
Load More Replies...Is this some kind of national thing? My wife's pants all have normal pockets.
Why Does Tom On My Shirt Has 3 Eyes? Only Noticed It 4 Months After Buying It
Neither Tom, and he has 3 eyes so I guess.......must be invisible
Load More Replies...Mike
Wait, What?
Maybe the Confederate flags is more inclusive than we thought....nah!
Found These In The Same Store. I Just Can't Decide Which Should I Get
Live Your Never Give Life Is Up Boring Time?
Hope This Asus Jeans I Bought You, Fit You Well
Maybe replacing "S" with an "n" to make it a**s would be more appropriate for a pair of jeans (even tho still spelt wrong).🤔😀
Anyone Knows What Sport Is This?
Brand New Shoes With Their Own Shoelaces
It's Called Fashion, Sweetie. You Should Try It Sometime
for some reason, I almost think it COULD be cute. but it misses the mark
Looks a bit like this logo of a kids TV show (which I used to watch when I was a child). All us Finns recognise it. 12983450_1...9b91f5.jpg
My Mom Bought This For Me
Death Grips
I met Zach Hill out front of a venue before he was about to do a solo show while Death Grips were touring here. He was off chops hard. I think he'd approve of this. Also, Pepper Pig and her family know their fate, yet continue to smile and get on with what life they have before it arrives....
Why Is The Horn There?
Found It In A Bazaar
New Adidas Sneakers
New Model Prototype Leaked?
We Have To Decode What The Shirt Says
It says, "It's not the will to win that matters - everyone has that. It's the will to PREPARE to win that matters."
What Does The Baby Keep In Its Pockets? Wrong Answers Only
Everything their mother needs, since she has no pockets of her own ;-))
They said wrong answers only. /s
Load More Replies...so, babies get pockets, adult women get fake pockets. men get cool big pockets with faces in them.
What In The World Is This
Hahahahaha you made me go back to look and I see it now.
Load More Replies...Go to youtube, search for "Simpsons german homer d'oh" and listen to any clip where you get the german version of homer doing his signature d'oh! and now you'll hear it whenever you see this :)
I Don't Think Someone Thought This Through
What’s worse is that is the logo for the South Carolina college football team, the “Fighting Gamecocks”. So it reads, I “Gamecock “ my church.” Which if you have any knowledge of southern college football as in southeastern, United States, you know that’s almost the absolute literal truth. It’s darn near a religion or it is in some places. Their rivals are the Clemson tigers. I should know I was a Clemson fan. Still am.
This Piece Of Clothing That Looks Like It's Wet
My Kid Said Her Pants Were Too Big, So I Went To Tighten The Drawstring. It's Fake And Does Nothing
On the latest round of clothes-buying for my two-year-old, the kids’ pants at Walmart had a large and prominent sticker that said “FUNCTIONAL Drawstring!”…I'm assuming because they know they all do this sh!t to us all the time and it’s aggravating as hell.
Mario Great Rock
Jojo Siwa's Bizarre Adventure
Can't stand her. Why people want merchandise with her face on it is WAY beyond me!
Hey Now, You’re An All Star. Congrats
🎶 Get your game on, go play! Hey now, you're a rock star, get your show on, get paid! 🎶
Morthy Mouse
Surer Mary
There's something about Mary..🤔 that just seems off but I'm not quite surer.
Iec Christmas Cle Holiday Sweatshirt
i can see the "christmas" part, but why are there so many extra letters?!
Christmas icicle? I think that's what it might be trying to say??
Found A Dino With Five Legs On My Kid's Shirt
Absolutely. Not any other kind of appendage at all
Load More Replies...It’s Supposed To Say Believe But The Only Letters You Can Really See Are Blee. As A Graphic Design Student This Infuriates Me
At least all of the letters are there, and in the right order. My standards have fallen whilst reading this article, haven't they
A Nike Sewing Error On A $100 Hoodie
I Am A Trigger Pukler
As Seen In Japan
I'm actually more intrigued about what's written on the packages above.
Found In Bulgaria
My "Facebuk" Flip-Flops
New TF2 Merch?
What in particular makes it look like it was made in the USA? Genuine question.
Load More Replies...What Even
it looks like they just keysmashed as a placeholder and then forgot to fix it
These Shoes That I Saw On The Metro
looks like someone got inspired by the living ships from no man's sky game then 3D printed them qb2396kgjm...7a9e41.jpg
I've seen these before. I don't understand why people would wear them!
Happy Halloween Guys (This Is Supposed To Be Moon Knight)
spooderman, spooderman, does whatever a spooder can
Load More Replies..."Ddidas"
Yes, it looks like there's quite a variety of things to buy.
Load More Replies...Can I Have One Lombarghini
Found This T-Shirt At A Grocery Store
Got This As A Present 9 Years Ago. Still Cracks Me Up To This Day
No Idea What's Supposed To Be Written Here
Chinese manufacturers always add the word FASHION on goods, even electronics. So we don't forget how awful the product is.
I once worked with a couple of guys, one from Japan and the other from China. They explained to me that it's not so much about what it says but using the font and layout as a decoration, nonsensical as it may be.
Madrid On This Sweatshirt My Coworker Wears Often
Love I Ca Ts
"Oh No, We're Running Out Of Pants! We Only Have Nine Pants"
This Shirt
Wow. It would have taken me more like 10. If at all.
Load More Replies...Very little planning. Even with the horrible layout of the lettering they could have made it work very easily with a better use of colors.
Aisada
He must have won it from being the 72nd person to order a Carne aisada burrito from Taco Bell!
Cute Purse But Doesn’t Stay Closed If I Have Stuff In It
Nike Got Some Competition
If they do they will sued by the REAL Nike. That's why they make stuff like this.
Load More Replies...Most are just counterfeits. In some countries, such as Italy, a product which looks much like a famous brand is legal as long as something about it show openly it’s not from the famous brand is refers too. Such as the « Nine » backpack, the labels allows to know it’s no « Nike » product. But in other countries (France), being this close to a real product is forbidden as confusing for the customers. So many people who buy counterfeits in Italy then come to France can be in trouble when crossing the border.
Same in the UK. Asda were sued for their Puffins chocolate biscuit, a total steal from McVitie's Penguins. Anyway, got to go, Mickey's hands on my Rolax are pointing to bed time...
Load More Replies...Why do people even buy this stuff? That’s what I said. You got to be an idiot to buy this stuff
Most are just counterfeits. In some countries, such as Italy, a product which looks much like a famous brand is legal as long as something about it show openly it’s not from the famous brand is refers too. Such as the « Nine » backpack, the labels allows to know it’s no « Nike » product. But in other countries (France), being this close to a real product is forbidden as confusing for the customers. So many people who buy counterfeits in Italy then come to France can be in trouble when crossing the border.
Same in the UK. Asda were sued for their Puffins chocolate biscuit, a total steal from McVitie's Penguins. Anyway, got to go, Mickey's hands on my Rolax are pointing to bed time...
Load More Replies...Why do people even buy this stuff? That’s what I said. You got to be an idiot to buy this stuff
