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There’s at least one welcome legacy that ex-President George Bush and the US invasion of six years ago will leave behind in Iraq: the cowboy boot.
Forget the demise of Saddam Hussein and the rise of democracy; what the proud Baghdadi male wants from America these days is a pair of leather “boose”.Any self-respecting macho struts his stuff on the streets of Baghdad in what are also called for the latest must-have fashion accessory.
“I wear ‘boose’ because they’re American”, says 18 year old Hassan Model proudly, using the local pronunciation for the word “boots”.
He makes his money by selling counterfeit Western-style trainers (sneakers) on the pavement in Karrada Street, the capital’s main shopping thoroughfare.
But Model is most proud of his own light tan “Harleys”, which were made in Italy and cost 60 dollars wholesale, a serious outlay in Iraq.
“It’s the fashion”, he smiles. “Money well-spent. Most of my friends like ‘boose’ and we follow the fashion”.
Finding real US-made boots in Baghdad is not easy, however. Most of the fancy footwear on sale is imported from Turkey or Italy, while the cheapest variety comes from China.
“We’d like to bring them in from America, but it would just cost too much”, says Hassan Shayal, who runs the Al-Shayal fashion shop in the Leith arcade of the Karrada district.
Behind him sits one of the best displays of boots in Baghdad “Texas”, imitation black and white crocodile, slip-ons, zipper, lace-up and motorcycle boots known locally as “Harleys”.
They are all made in Turkey and sell for around 140-150 dollars a pair.
More than half of Shayal’s sales are of boots, particularly “shoe boots”, although clothing including fake US-labelled shirts takes up most of the shop.
Farther down the arcade, Ghassan Ali has sold out of boots at his Aminco store and is waiting for the new collection to arrive.
“We think it’s the American fashion. It’s become important for young people to follow the fashion now, and wearing ‘boose’ is all the rage”, Ali opines.
Yanks are the worst dressed people on Earth
Negatory good buddy you should see these wacky Japanese students on this here campus, heaven forbid if these other JAP (Jewish American Princess) students start dressing like them. Then it’ll be a total freak show.
Now if you’re talking about this so-called hip hop fashion I would concur but I’ve seen versions of it around the world.
Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin’ like a fool with your pants on the groundWith the gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways
Pants hit the ground
Call yourself a cool cat
Lookin’ like a fool
Walkin’ downtown with your pants on the groundGet it up, hey!
Get your pants off the ground
Lookin’ like a fool
Walkin’ talkin’ with your pants on the ground.Get it up, hey!
Get your pants off the ground
Lookin’ like a fool with your pants on the ground@Stiv wrote:
Yanks are the worst dressed people on Earth
Negatory good buddy you should see these wacky Japanese students on this here campus, heaven forbid if these other JAP (Jewish American Princess) students start dressing like them. Then it’ll be a total freak show.
Can’t argue with you there bud….only one thing to say, WTF?
Now if you’re talking about this so-called hip hop fashion I would concur but I’ve seen versions of it around the world.
I was, that and red neck Marlboro Man chic
@Stiv wrote:
Great example Flip and unfortunately for me I live in a veritable epicenter for all of the horrid versions of Yank fashion.
Ever wanting to be on the cutting edge I’ve been rocking this fashion down town this winter and let me tell you what the brothas be keepin deys distance!
Almost post-apocalyptic, the only thing that would top that outfit well would be a deer’s head for a hat, now THAT would scare dem playas outta sight homeboy
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