Crossing the Line?
Let me explain the evolution of this post: I started gathering these images and thought it would be fun to do a 5 under $50 of oversized cross necklaces (because clearly, this is a trend ... again ... ) Then I stopped myself, because isn't this maybe a little offensive to some people? To put a bunch of crosses in a fashion post as "trend" accessories? Isn't it also excluding people who, based on their religious background, would never wear a cross? Or do people not even think of a cross accessory as religious?
Editorials have gone crazy lately for these religious themes ... naughty nuns, etc. Interesting, from a cultural standpoint (or boring, when you think of how trite the statement is, and the fact that Madonna has been owning this subject since 1984).
What do you guys think? Would you ever wear cross jewelry because it looked good, even if you would never wear a cross "seriously"? Does it offend you at all that the symbol has become a trend? Or is it so common to subvert symbols for fashion that it doesn't even matter anymore?
Or should I stop thinking so hard and show you pretty cross necklaces for under $50?
Image credits (left to right from top): holding cross, via Fashion Gone Rogue; with leather jacket via Studded Hearts (pls lmk if you know original source); hands in prayer via Fashion Gone Rogue; with veil via Harper's Bazaar Spain; walking in suit via Stockholm Street Style; cross on dress, via FGR; camel sweater with hood and cross via Street Style Aesthetic; black hat and cross via RU Glamour; jeweled cross sweater via FGR; Taylor Tomasi in cross necklaces via Mr. Newton; nude via Purple.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 04:04PM
Reader Comments (18)
for me a cross is religious, and being an atheist, it's simply an aesthetic statement i won't be making :)
I'm fine with cross jewelry, I really like it. I have an amazing cross ring that I got from Aldo that I just love - would love to add to my collection. I grew up going to church and this isn't really offensive to me at all!
Props for tj who knows that wearing a symbol for fashion does not change its meaning. All genuine rebels should wear one as an outre statement of universal inclusiveness through divine love and redemption! :-)
agree with both tj and liz - and love that their ideas are coming from 2 different places. i don't think you can strip the cross of its meaning - if you're wearing it you're either consciously subverting its meaning or wearing it because you believe ... but if you don't think you're doing either of those things, I think you're ignoring the obvious
I'm kind of glad you brought this up actually because Ive noticed that it's becoming a trend and I see cute crosses all the time that I want to buy! But when I think about what it stands for and what I believe in I just feel guilty for giving into it just because it's a trend and I've become accustomed seeing it worn as an accessory. Id like to think it's only worn as a religious symbol and maybe because it's a beautiful accessory as well. I don't even believe that Jesus is the son of god and he died for our sins and etc... But I still think that the cross has a holy value and it should be worn if you truly have faith. I don't know, I don't find it offensive, I just won't ever do it unless I change my religious beliefs. I guess it's kind of acceptable if you just admire what it stands for? I don't know.
yes i know what you mean. the other thing about it that's so crazy is that it's "just a shape." You know? I wonder if there's any corner of the globe where a necklace in the shape of a lower case t is just that?
Interesting post. I'm Jewish, and I would never wear a cross, though I don't find the trend offensive. Maybe just a little off-putting? Despite my uneasiness, I have seen cross necklaces that I've wished I could wear just because they look so cool. I wouldn't be comfortable actually doing it, though.
I'm not offended by crosses as fashion, i just don't wear them.I personally feel a bit sacrilegious even though I am not very religious. I am Latina AND Catholic so that might explain the high levels of guilty feelings ; )
Marissa, ok yes, I def wanted to hear the point of view of someone from a non-christian background because ... yeah ... makes sense
Sandra LOL interesting! i hadn't thought of the sacrilegious angle at all actually, i figured if the good Lord looks down and sees you wearing a cross, even it it's covered in glitter, he/she'd be happy??? I don't know! hah
I think it's your own personal preference. Fashion people will say it's not offense, religious people will say it is. Although fashion people have no problem with nudity although it may be offense to some and religious people love free marketing for their cause, so....
fashionfittingroom.blogspot.com
I think they are so pretty. But since I am an atheist I don't think you will ever catch me wearing one.
yes def show us some under $50 crosses I am a religious person, and I do think the fashion world is taking that one concept and might be trying to make into the new trend but if you want to wear it because of your religious background go ahead and if you want to wear it because you think it looks nice you can do that as well. I do not think it matters. Some religious individuals may find it to be offensive but I think why worry about what others wear.
ladorian, i agree people should be free to do whatever feels right for them : ) maybe i will get around to the 5 under $50!
I find it kind of f'd up when people wear crucifixes for the sake of fashion (WHY? HOW IS A MAN NAILED TO A CROSS FASHIONABLE?) but I was raised Catholic. While I don't consider myself Catholic anymore, I still think wearing cross jewelry is way, WAY too much of a religious statement to do it myself, because I don't want to associate myself with Christianity and all its baggage.
I guess to me, it's a matter of how obviously you are wearing it for fashion vs. for belief. There's definitely something beautiful about medieval-looking crosses, or wearing a ton of them at once, or enormous crosses. But I guess fashion-y people would never wear a tiny crucifix for the sake of fashion.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT ANYMORE.
I was raised Jewish and am an atheist now so I'd never personally wear a cross. But I'm planning to design a cross for my cross-loving customers based on an antique Danish design!
I am a Christian and I am not offended, but I get why you may be hesitant. I love the look in the photo of the girl with the turtleneck and crosses. I am going to acquire some cross necklaces to duplicate the look.
Once I wore a giant decorative cross necklace. I'm not a religious person, so I didn't think twice about the connotations. At a convenience store counter, a man glared at me and said "That's a pretty heavy cross to bear, lady." I didn't even know what to say, so I just ignored him. I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic, or was offended.
It was a strange situation, and has made me think twice about donning my cross necklace. However, I think one can be worn tastefully and elegantly, and if you offend someone? Well, c'est la vie. Any article of clothing you wear might offend at least one person, whether it's a leather jacket or something that shows too much skin (in their opinion)
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