Roses are red, Violets are blue - Did you know the Dude is more fashionable than you?
Words by Sonya Hammer, Writer
White Russians, bowling, and F-bombs, accompanied by the “life is short” pacifist philosophy, embody the essence of the iconic Coen brothers’ character, the Dude. The Big Lebowski, an incredible film, manages to create a protagonist far bigger than the actual movie. The religious philosophy of dudeism still inspires many to follow the same, simplistic lifestyle more than two decades since the Dude’s reckless force was unleashed onto this world.
The concept of the Dude was inspired in part by the Seattle Seven’s Jeff Dowd, but many of the mannerisms and much of the wardrobe were supplied by none other than the face of the Dude: Jeff Bridges. His tattered hoodies, deep V-necks, and fading bathrobes are worn with the utmost confidence whether he struts the aisles of the grocery store with his accessorised milk jug or stumbles onto his urine soaked rug. His outfits, while comfortable, are objectively terrible as he fathers the “loungewear in public” look that all university students wish they had the poise to pull off.
No one inhabits their clothes like the Dude — though St Andrews’ Purple Man gives him some competition. The Dude expresses his way of life through his clothes. His PVC jelly sandals and slip on trainers show everyone his unconcerned personality. His Vuarnet VL1307 sunglasses, which originally cost over £250, publicise his constant hangovers despite never finishing a single White Russian the whole film. His drawstring waist trousers let everyone know he rolled straight out of bed. Outfit after outfit, the Dude’s indifference to the workaholic lifestyle around him becomes more and more prevalent.
The only piece of Dude’s clothing to veer from his nonchalant sensibility is his Cowichan knit sweater from Pendleton Woolen Mills, costing a whopping £290. This is the most socially acceptable item in his wardrobe, and it is seen layered over his cotton V-necks more than once. The sweater and sunglasses easily cost more than the rest of his wardrobe combined. The strange irony reminds me of modern streetwear. The overpriced outfits from the likes of Palm Angels, Vetements, and the more popularised Yeezy and Off-White maintain the ragged, indifferent look for wildly unreasonable prices. Many social media influencers try to emulate the hypebeast look, but no matter the price tag, the Dude outdoes them.
His effortless looks fit him like a second skin and serve as an extension of self, the way all clothes should be worn. Sporting the true stoner look, he lives in his body and clothes with nothing but indifference, giving him a sense of confidence mere mortals can only achieve in their dreams.
The Dude teaches us all a lesson: no matter what you wear, you can always look good. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing your grandfather’s slippers or your mother’s old dresses, as long as you wear it with the Dude’s confidence, you will look stunning. Expensive Louis Vuitton monogrammed outfits don’t make you fashionable. Style isn’t created by clothes. It is created by the one who wears it.
However, this does bring up a terrifying fact. The Dude probably looks better than you.