Mod Gone Wrong: The Union Jack Parka

That's it. I'm done. I'm turning in my card.

Seems we've reached the end of the comedy road: the Union Jack parka.

Image from We Are the Mods. Original source here.

Taking people further down the dismal Mod rabbit hole. Image source.

Because really, when you want to pander to a Mod crowd, what do you do? Put a Union Jack on it!

After all, we've had Union Jack scooters.

You can buy this here.

We've had Union Jack suits.

Paul Weller keeping his bottom button buttoned. Sigh...

We've had Union Jack desert boots.

Quadrophenia Jimmy wishes these were around back in the day, I'm sure.

We've had Union Jack shirts.

Fred Perry Union Jack, of course.

We've had Union Jack ties.

In case you're thinking of buying this, even the company refers to is as a 'novelty' tie.

I guess this was the natural conclusion.
I mean, what's left? A Union Jack Harrington?

And there is an audience for it. That's been proven time after time. For every guy out there searching out a well-tailored button-down, french-cuff shirt with the perfect collar and detailed buttoning, there are ten guys happy with anything that has a Union Jack on it.

Hey, I'm not perfect. I used to wear a parka with a Union Jack Jam patch on the back... when I was A TEENAGER. But you get to a point where you realize you don't need to walk around looking like a mascot for Anglophilia in order to convince everyone you're 'MOD!'

Hopefully, though, this Union Jack parka is the final straw on the back of the Comedy Mod camel. And hopefully, some of these new Mod labels will start to get more creative with their offerings. Think about all the different types of styles and detailings that were coming out of London at breakneck speed back in the 1960s. Sure, not all of it worked, but you still had some great pieces that stood out. These days, many new 'mod' clothing companies seem to go down the same weathered path laid down by original, iconic labels.

If you're thinking about starting your own 'Mod' clothing company, keep the following in mind:
Fred Perry has perfected the polo.
Ben Sherman has perfected the short-sleeved button-down.
Clark's has perfected the desert boot.
And the 1950s U.S. Army has perfected the parka.

You know what that leaves you with? A wide spectrum of new material and influences to draw from!

Or... I guess just put a Union Jack on something.

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Mod Gone Wrong: On the Topic of Shoes...

When I was a wee little Modnick, back in high school, I TOTALLY wanted a pair of Union Jack shoes! Remember those Shelly's Jam stage shoes (is that right?)? I thought they'd be the coolest things ever as I strutted around school with those on along with my (again) highwater, tapered Dickies, Fred Perry, and parka covered in patches and pins. Heck, I even wanted a Union Jack 3-button blazer. (And all kidding aside, let's be honest... the Union Jack really is a great design.)

But that was then and this is now and the truth is, I ain't British. I wouldn't be caught dead walking around in Union Jack shoes. That said, is it me or are these actually kind of cool?

More info on these from Flickr.

According to the Flickr page, they were made in 1953! I think the shape and construction of the shoe is what makes it for me. Still, nope, wouldn't wear 'em. At my age, they'd be just a bit too overkill. Now if they were in a Mexican flag pattern, well...

Let's do one for the ladies now. We all love Mondrian patterns, I know, but this might be taking it a bit too far:

More awesomely crazy shoes can be found here.

QUESTION: What are some of the WORST shoes you've seen?

Mod Gone Wrong: Cute Overload

Last week, during my search for the hipster Mod target trucker hat, I came across these shoes:

I wonder if they come with matching Mod Mod Kuma-chan backpack, pencil, and eraser set?

Although they combine, in my opinion, the two easiest and laziest Mod signifiers (target and Union Jack), I thought these would be incredibly cute for someone's lil' modnik running around the playground.

But upon closer look, I noticed these were for ADULTS! Seriously? What woman in her right mind Okay, just found out my wife would wear these because, duh, there's a 'cute bear' on them.

Oh, wait, no... looks like there's competition in the Bash-You-Over-The-Head-With-Cute-Mod-Symbolism category:

Well, at least next year's Valentine's gift will be easy.

********BREAKING NEWS********THIS JUST IN*************

On the subject of 'cute', how lucky was I last night that this video came into my life? I was folding and hanging up clothes while my wife was watching this video on YouTube. I was ribbin' her about the power-pop sounds and noticed, "Hey, that girl kinda looks like you." She responded, "She kinda does, huh." I went back to my clothes, turned, and looked again. "Wait, that's YOU isn't it?" She began to blush! And now, here it is... the dancer in white sweater and turtleneck... cutest thing EVER!

Looks like someone's gettin' anime mod sneakers this year!