CHAVS!

Chav is a stereotype of a certain type of people who live within the U.K they are usually seen as aggressive and anti-social. The word Chav can find its roots in Romany dialect.

The term Chav was coined in Early 2000.

It has been suggested that Chav culture is the evolution of  previous workling class subcultures such as Mods and Skinheads.

The general stereotype of a Chav is of someone who wears sports brands, Gold jewelery and comes from an Estate or Council house. But more recently the word Chav has been used to describe overdone tacky aesthetics.

In the U.k Media the gossip magazines and 'trash T.V' have turned individuals deemed to be of this Chav subculture into an almost glamorous television personality or a ridiculed class-less uneducated character.

The use of brands in Chav culture has been widely publicised due to some brands being associated with it. Burberry which is a historical traditionally English fashion house found itself in a problem when its iconic check pattern became widely used by people of this culture. This caused the brand to be associated with  common trashiness and lower class ASBO culture.

The Company sought to rebrand itself by advertising its products in high fashion magazines and using established celebrities to front its campaigns. Although they have been successful in this the Chav culture is sometimes associated with Burberry.

There are many people in the U.K media who are associated with Chav culture

Katie Price aka Jordan a Glamour Model and Television Personality is often associated with Chav's. Her sense of style and image has caused many imitations within the culture with young women looking to her as inspiration both career wise and style wise.

Her use of fake tan , Hair extensions, Plastic surgery and overall lifestyle has caused the media to dub her "Queen of Chavs" and associates these things as part of the Wealthy Chav style.

Although this is not a particularly flattering association her bank balance has swelled as a result of her overdone image and character to which many young girls aspire to, her image can often be found in the gossip pages of most celebrity magazines.

There are some Celebrities who were once associated with Chav culture

Television personality Cheryl Cole's Early style is often forgotten, in her beginnings her style was associated with the typical chav female, wearing tight tracksuits and caps over highlighted hair extensions. Even her attitude was considered Chav like.

Fast forward to 2009/2011 Cheryl Cole is no longer associated with the Chav culture, her appearances on television as a judge on a high profile talent show and as a solo musician meant a complete image overhall. She is now seen as a Style icon and is a pop culture figure.

The Chav Culture is seen by some as a negative stereotype of people from poor backgrounds and living in bad areas. The medias portrayal of Chavs has caused further stereotyping and some people view Chavs as dim, aggressive, uneducated and inferior.

King of Chavs as dubbed by the media

Vicky Pollard is a character from the BBC comedy series 'Little Britain' The overall image and characterization is based on the stereotypical Chav female, with gold Soverign rings, chains and bright tracksuits.

 But while some may frown apon this culture it is very much a part of British society and in many cultures and their different circles there are good and bad aspects, it is best to try to understand them rather than see them as a stereotype, as they are the result of a mix of subcultures, economic and demographic states which are constantly changing.