Broke Is the New Black Shirt: Brilliant or Baffling?

June 15, 2009

If you don't know anyone who hasn't been affected by the recession, then you're certainly an anomaly. More people are struggling with financial stability and are being open about it than before, which I'm guessing is the thought process behind this Broke Is The New Black racerback tank ($24).

I get that it's trying to make a cheeky statement about the state of things, but I'm not so sure about sending a message that being broke is in. What do you think about this concept — is it brilliant or baffling?

16 Comments

beardlakeisha 1 year 35 weeks

I think it degrades african american people and they should have picked another color. Cause I wanted to run a white girl over for having one of the shirts on yesterday. I still don't know what it means. I read the little bio and it still doesn't explain. I don't think it's cute at all

2 years 21 weeks

It's like saying "pink is the new black" or "forty is the new thirty. I love the shirt :)

2 years 45 weeks

is the new black is a common fashion statement. the latest fashion trend is to look homeless or broke

3 years 6 weeks

I saw this on a sign. So what does the sign has to do with the color in fashion.

3 years 14 weeks

Um....I don't understand why anyone would take offense at this. I have this shirt and it's just a silly quip. It has nothing to do with African Americans. It's a play on the expression often seen in fashion magazines and the like, "(insert color here) is the new black this season."

3 years 32 weeks

GET OUT MUCH??? People that say this statement has anything to do with racism are just looking for a fight. It's a shirt! It's BLACK. If you would take you head out of the sands of time, you may learn a bit about fashion and a common fashion saying.... hence "*blank* is the new black". Get a grip! A couple of years ago it was "PINK is the new BLACK" Do you think a pig or a flamingo was upset????? The shirt is talking about a fashion COLOR. NOT the color of someone's skin. Maybe it's all of the people that have darker colored skin wanting to still fight about racism. Look, if you don't mention the skin color, others don't see you for the color of your skin. They will see you for YOU! Relax.

3 years 36 weeks

As an African-American I find the connotation disturbing and offensive. Broke is the new black? Huh? Are you saying black people are broke or being broke is like being a black person? I was with Sean and Keenan Wayans the other day and we saw the shirt at the club and couldn't help but wonder, do these people get what that says? It's terrible.

3 years 46 weeks

I bought the tee because I liked the print, but having had seven people comment on it in one day just walking through NYC, I got to thinking about the words. A lot of people seem to read into it their own meaning, but as for the arguments about being broke and not being able to afford something, it's totally not true. Even with no money whatsoever, thanks to borrowing it's possible to live a comfortable lifestyle and in the process cripple yourself for the future. It's borrowing/lending money that you don't have that has caused the financial crisis we're in, and since when did people ever learn from their mistakes?

Kimpossible 3 years 47 weeks

Agree with posts 1 and 5. Tacky and ridiculous.

Spectra 3 years 48 weeks

The shirt itself is more baffling than the saying on it...who the hell would pay $24 for a tank top??

JenDeck711 3 years 48 weeks

I saw a girl rocking this at Coachella and thought it was the greatest thing ever. I don't think it's intended to be insensitive, but rather a sign of embracing the times. $24 is not outrageous. The "idiot" is the girl featured in the latest Maxed Out...whatta mess.

carhornsinapril 3 years 48 weeks

it's a joke tee... i think it's funny.

J Rabbit 3 years 48 weeks

Agreed!

J Rabbit 3 years 48 weeks

Agreed!

margokhal 3 years 48 weeks

This is so lame. It may be more common with the downturn of the economy to find people who are struggling, but to turn it into some kind of pop trend seems a little...insensitive? Tacky?Not only that, if you happen to be one of the broke...YOU WON'T HAVE $24 TO BUY THIS!!! The people who made this are idiots.

margokhal 3 years 48 weeks

This is so lame. It may be more common with the downturn of the economy to find people who are struggling, but to turn it into some kind of pop trend seems a little...insensitive? Tacky? Not only that, if you happen to be one of the broke...YOU WON'T HAVE $24 TO BUY THIS!!! The people who made this are idiots.

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16 Comments

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