Tom Purcell: The best authentic stuff is fake - The Tribune

The Best Authentic Stuff is Fake

According to Tom Purcell, "messy authenticity" is the latest trend that demonstrates America has lost its collective mind.

Examples of this trend include a Maison Margiela sweater with unfinished threads and gaping holes, a designer purse with fringed eyelets, frayed material, and uneven seams, and a "Rag Chair" for the living room stitched together with discarded fabric scraps, priced at around $4,000.

Purcell first noticed the "designs made to look imperfect" trend nearly 18 years ago, with distressed furniture being one of the first examples, where people would intentionally damage and paint new furniture to make it look old and worn.

It’s called “messy authenticity,” and it’s the latest trend to clearly demonstrate America has lost its collective mind.

Author's summary: America's latest trend is embracing imperfection.

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The Ironton Tribune The Ironton Tribune — 2025-10-18