this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2026
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The Deprogram

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[This post was originally shared in r/TankieTheDeprogram. Since some people misunderstood the intent of the question, I'm reposting a slightly edited version here with a disclaimer to better clarify what I'm asking.]

DISCLAIMER: : I'm not suggesting there's a single "working-class look" or that class can be determined by aesthetics. I'm interested in the assumptions people make about class based on appearance and presentation, and whether those assumptions are actually accurate.

I hope this isn't too out of place, and that the flair fits. Maybe we even need a flair for fun questions.

Recently, one of my professors was surprised when I mentioned that I'm from a working-class background. My father went from being a victim of child labor, to working as a carpenter, and later as a cook; I however didn’t tell my professor the exact life of my father though or his profession.

Their reaction got me wondering: did something about the way I dress, style myself, or present myself not fit their idea of what someone from a working-class family looks like?

I usually wore like muted or neutral colours (black, olive, beige, dark navy sometimes light pink). I always had timberlands on. Wore makeup, and put my hair in a braid.

So, in the spirit of a little amateur Bourdieu, I'm curious:

  • What brands, clothing styles, hairstyles, makeup, or other aesthetic choices do you associate with the working class?

  • Do you think there are noticeable class markers today, or are they much weaker than people assume?

  • If you're from a working-class family, have people ever been surprised to find that out?

  • Bonus question: how accurate or inaccurate do you think popular depictions of the children of cooks, tradespeople, factory workers, and other working-class people are?

Just for fun, share your experiences. What do you wear? Have people ever completely misread your class background?

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[–] bluestem@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 26 minutes ago* (last edited 12 minutes ago)

Probably depends on where you live exactly. I'm originally from an extremely rural area of Nebraska, U.S., and the typical working class person there will be significantly different to even other parts of the U.S. I'll take a swing at it anyway:

Brands: Maybe Levi and Harley Davidson, but beyond that there's no brands that stick out to me.

Aesthetic: Jeans, denim shorts, athletic shorts, t-shirts (especially with the sleeves ripped off), hoodies, plaid button downs work shirts, maybe the occasional denim jacket or chore coat, cowboy boots, work boots, maybe tennis shoes, trucker cap, the occasional cowboy hat. One surprising thing might be accent - higher class people have more of a flat affect where working class is more "redneck" or "hick" for lack of a better word. This isn't completely one to one though, some working class people might have more of a flat affect, especially if they live in a bigger city.

I'm not sure about class markers except the accent thing. I think it'd probably be how big and new your truck is or how nice your house is. People don't really go for brand name clothes or luxury cars here afaik.

I think maybe there's been once or twice someone might've been surprised I was from a working class background. I dress pretty similarly to what I did growing up and drive a shitbox car so it most people probably aren't surprised.

No clue on accuracy of depictions of people around here. There is almost no popular media that depicts people from around these parts. If Nebraska ever comes up, it's mostly only jokes about how no one lives here. The closest thing I can think of is Superman's parents (from Kansas) in the Superman movie from last year - they were maybe somewhat accurate except they had southern accents for some reason.

[–] EmmaGoldman@hexbear.net 1 points 36 minutes ago

There's this old Polaroid pic somewhere in my parents' basement of my dad in Dickies medical scrubs from the hospital standing next to my grandfather in an identical colour Dickies boiler suit.

...What was the question again? biden-alert

[–] DisabledAceSocialist@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

Being British I suppose a 20th century version of a working class outfit that comes to mind would be something involving flat caps, whereas in the 21st century it would be tracksuit bottoms. I was once in Waitrose, a posh expensive supermarket. I, at the time, was working as a carer for the elderly and was doing an old lady's shopping because I certainly can't afford to shop in Waitrose myself. I was unpacking the trolley onto the conveyor belt, and a very posh looking older woman was ahead of me. She looked me up and down, I wearing tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt, made a contemptuous face and said to the cashier, "not your average Waitrose customer."

[–] EmmaGoldman@hexbear.net 2 points 1 hour ago (2 children)

I'm curious, where do you typically buy groceries? Do Aldi or Lidl have much presence there?

[–] Mantiddies@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 20 minutes ago

my family also goes to aldi and lidl from time to time. But be are that back in the 2000s lidl wasnt very good on workers rights and privacy.

[–] DisabledAceSocialist@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 37 minutes ago

I use sainsburys personally.

[–] Vampire@hexbear.net 4 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Accent is such an overwhelming signifier that it trumps any clothes/hairstyle/etc

[–] Mantiddies@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 hours ago

interesting take. I mostly speak standard english with a slight german accent .