“The regular guy look”… a joke from the Rodney Dangerfield movie “Easy Money”, has come to life in California.  One trend that has seemingly come out of nowhere is the donning of union T-shirts and hats, thanks largely to surging favorability ratings of unions and the visibility of thousands of movie stars and celebrities wearing union logo gear.

A New York Times article described Neil Gaiman, the best-selling writer of “The Sandman” and “Coraline,”  wore a black T-shirt nearly every day for the past 36 years before switching to a red T-shirt in support of the Writers Guild of America (W.G.A.) strike. The W.G.A. went on strike in early May after failing to reach an agreement with Hollywood producers on a new contract, including compensation for work on streaming services and the use of artificial intelligence. The strike saw heavy involvement from creative workers in New York and Los Angeles, contributing to the widespread visibility of T-shirts advertising support for the W.G.A. and other creative workers’ labor unions.

As the strike dragged on, more and more celebrities donned union paraphernalia in solidarity with striking workers. This visibility, combined with the public’s increasing support for unions, has solidified union T-shirts and hats as the hot fashion statement for 2024.

Wearing matching union gear, such as T-shirts and hats, on the picket lines and beyond has helped project an aura of solidarity and visually represent the strength in numbers and collective power that unions embody. Furthermore, various online retailers, such as WGAStrikeShirts.com, have emerged to sell W.G.A. and SAG-AFTRA strike paraphernalia, with proceeds going to the Entertainment Community Fund, a charity that supports the entertainment industry workers. As a result, these garments not only serve as a fashion statement, but also as a means of financially supporting the workers they represent.

As we approach the 2024 presidential election, labor unions will become an increasingly important factor in shaping the political landscape. With public opinion on unions remaining relatively high, it is clear that people recognize the value of unions in advocating for workers’ rights and benefits.  Unions are estimated to spent over $800 million on the 2024 election, much of it on giveaway merch designed to demonstrate their political clout.  For the first time Unions are being courted by both Democrats and Republicans for their support.

In conclusion, wearing union T-shirts and hats is not only a trendy fashion statement but also a powerful symbol of support for workers’ rights and the labor movement at large. As public opinion continues to favor unions and their importance in the political landscape, the popularity of union logo wear will only rise further, making it a lasting fashion statement for years to come.