Dare to Ask: Why do some people wear clothes with the tags still on them?

By Phillip Milano

The Florida Times-Union

Question

Why do black people seem to wear clothes with the tags still on them? -- Chris, Jacksonville

Replies

I've seen guys do this in high school and at my university. It's usually on expensive caps and tennis shoes. To me it's stupid, but obviously they want everybody to know about their expensive whatevers. -- Dee, 19, black female, Dallas

I heard it's done so they can return the item after they wear it. -- JR, 44, black female, Chicago

Dishonest people, not black people, wear clothes and then return them. -- Tresha, 23, black, Atlanta

In black culture, money is everything. So if you buy something designer, you leave the tag on so everyone will know it was expensive. -- Princess, 17, black, Boston

Princess: Money is not everything in the black culture! It's like the majority of questions asked by whites at yforum.com who believe that because they see a few black people do this or that, that we are all the same. -- Marie, black, New York

I see hardly any blacks wearing tags. It's like saying why do whites worship Abercrombie? Those few ignorant individuals you refer to are trying to superficially display the brand for something expensive they can't really afford. -- Peter, black, Jacksonville

What gives you the right to call someone ignorant who wears tags? My aunt does it all the time, and I find her very classy and intelligent. -- N., 14, black female, Baltimore

The only thing I've ever worn with tags were fitted hats. It was the style. It's not just blacks. It's just about anyone into hip-hop fashion. -- Lakeisha, 17, black, Roanoke, Va.

Expert says

We left a sticker on once, just to brag. It doesn't work with a Honda Fit.

Leaving tags and stickers on is all about signaling, said Dan Ariely, professor of behavioral economics at Duke University and author of "Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces that Shape Our Decisions."

"It's like a peacock: Why does it have that un-useful tail? It's saying, 'Look at me!' It's why men buy red sports cars," Ariely said. "With a price tag, it says 'I have this nice item, plus it's new.' "

A visible tag also shows a lack of symmetry, which brings attention because it doesn't fit expectations, he said. "So it's doing something against the standard."

The practice may have begun in urban areas, though it didn't stay there. People who study trends have found that many of them start in urban, poor areas, Ariely said.

"And rap in general is an anti-cultural sentiment. It's supposed to be rebellious ... like a rapper wearing his jeans low. There are all these small nuances that change rapidly for those who understand what's going on. You want to create a sign that shows you are aware of the changes going on."

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Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers. Send general column comments to phillip.milano@jacksonville.com. You can also hear his podcasts or watch his TV spots.