It seems that one of the latest pieces of haute couture to hit the backs of trendy shoppers is Semitic garb. Over the past couple of years, there has been an acute rise in the number of clothing lines offering their own range of Jewish slogan-branded style. Take Sophomore’s omnipresent “Famous Challah Bread” shirt, with the words “Challah Back” emblazoned on the shirt’s rear. With world-renowned stores like Henri Bendel and Olive & Bette’s carrying these ethnic items, there is no denying that sporting so-called Urban Jewish Schmattes has been deemed trendy.
One of the most successful people to ride this trend is Sarah Lefton, who founded the Jewish Fashion Conspiracy, a San Francisco–based company that maintains it is ‘putting the racy back into conspiracy.’ Among the company’s most popular shirts are their “Jews for Jeter” and “Bris me, I’m Jewish” tees, as well as their “Yo Semite” shirts, a clever play on Yosemite camp-wear. (They are all available, dear reader, at Jewishfashionconspiracy.com, and are priced between $22 and $28.)
By now most everyone has seen girls trotting around in Urban Outfitters’ “Everybody loves a Jewish girl” shirts. You might be pleased (or dismayed) to hear that they have recently expanded to the men’s section: “Everybody loves a Jewish boy” is the latest style to hit the racks. And who knows—maybe the shirts will serve as the latest new dating device for Jewish boys and girls looking for same. ($10, available at Urban Outfitters everywhere and on the web.)
If you’re looking for Jewish kitsch, Chosencouture.com might be the number one place to find it. The website sells items targeted to a wide demographic, from the fashion conscience (Shoe Menorah $49.99, Oy Vey Bath and Body Set $20), to the exercise nut (Shvitz Sports Towel $19.50), to the jeans and tee-shirt kind of person, (Shalom Y’all Cap $20). Chosencouture.com might just be the next fashion Mecc—er, Jerusalem.
But, while you may be working the Yiddishkeit aesthetic, others have already been working the Yiddish. The astonishing success of the Rabbi’s Daughters line of shirts and accessories makes sure that everyone knows that it’s not just the Hasids keeping Yiddish alive. The clothing line, started by three Los Angeles—guess who?— rabbi’s daughters, offers tops that are each emblazoned with a different Yiddish word; from the darling “Bubeleh”, to the gossipy “Yenta”, to the sweet little girl “Mamaleh.” If there’s a Yiddish endearment to call you, chances are, it’s on a T-shirt. Rabbi’s Daughters also offer shirts and bibs aimed at three to 24-month-olds that say “mini-mensch” (a good little man) or “pisher” (a cute little stinker). Their shirts are available at stores all around the U.S. (for specific locations and prices check out Rabbisdaughters.com).
As most fashion fads tend to do, Semitic styles have jumped off of outfits and onto accessories. Our Name is Mud (multiple locations, NYC) lets New Yorkers flex their creative muscles with painting pottery or just shopping for pre-made goods, which include a variety of Jewish themed items. Among the best deals are their cups; the most notable of which include, “Nosh a little, Kibitz a little, Enjoy!” (“Snack a little, Chat a little, Enjoy!” (Ournameismud.com, $15).
The Jewish vogue has even hallmarked the candy industry and we’re not just talking imported kosher delights. Next time you look carefully, you might notice people passing around Shalom Chewing Gum’s “Te Chosen Gum,” available at Jewcy.com. Packaged with Jewish humor (“Lox flavored, just kidding. And really, would it kill you to buy two?’) the miniature treats are hard to resist.
For a more traditional approach to Jewish accessorizing, Judaicaheaven.com carries chamsas (good luck/drive-away-the-evil-eye Jewish and Muslim hand-shaped amulets), and Magen David Necklaces, starting at just $20. And Rabbi’s Daughters offers Yiddish word necklaces in both silver ($88), and gold ($375), at Shopintuition.com.
Sporting Jewish fashion has undeniably become a popular way for people of all ages to disseminate a positive and contemporary Jewish image. It seems to be a trend unlikely to go out of vogue anytime soon. Pick up your schmattes today!
