Dresiarz

Dresiarz Aesthetic is a Polish subculture of young males who wear tracksuits, listen to disco polo and rap, and are often seen as anti-social and aggressive. It is similar to the British chavs or the Russian gopniks.

History
Dresiarz is a term used in Poland to describe a specific subculture or class of young males who stereotypically live in urban tower blocks or tenement houses, wear tracksuits and trainers, listen to disco polo and rap music, and are often portrayed as undereducated, unemployed, aggressive, and anti-social. The term comes from the Polish word for tracksuit, which is dres.

The dresiarz phenomenon was first observed in the 1990s and is sometimes compared to the British chavs, Scottish neds, Australian bogans or Russian gopniks. It would later partially merge with the hooligan subcultures and sometimes attributed to football hooligans. Some of the possible influences for the emergence of dresiarze were the economic and social changes after the fall of communism, the lack of opportunities and prospects for the lower-class youth, the exposure to Western culture and consumerism, and the imitation of prison culture and gangster lifestyle.

Some of the characteristics of dresiarze are:

- Taste in music usually encompassing Polish disco polo and rap, rarely techno, house genres or hardbass. - Wearing tracksuits along with a hoodie and trainers; usually cheap counterfeit imitations of popular brands. - Shaved head. - Weight lifting and/or strength training in gyms. - Affection for automobiles — at first they were stereotypically associated with heavily modified Fiat 126p cars (often with iconic Pioneer sticker covering the rear window), but recently they switched to older versions of BMW 3 and BMW 5 as well as Volkswagen Golf Mk2 and Opel Calibra, and recently their taste switched to Volkswagen Group automobiles, especially Audi. Apart from German cars, Japanese and East-Asian made cars such as the Honda Civic gained popularity due to the influence of the Fast & Furious franchise. - Keeping aggressive dog breeds, such as the Pit Bull or American Staffordshire Terrier as pets (sometimes used in dog fights). - Their female counterparts often have excessive solarium tans, bleached platinum blonde or pitch black dyed hair and wear artificial nails, mini-skirts, and crop tops.

The term dresiarz has a pejorative connotation in Polish mass media and is often used as an insult or a stereotype. Dresiarze are usually seen as a social problem and a threat to public order and safety. They are often associated with violence, vandalism, drug abuse, alcoholism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, sexism, and criminality². However, some dresiarze may also identify themselves positively with this subculture and express their pride and solidarity through their appearance, behavior, language, and music.

Dresiarze have also been featured in various forms of popular culture, such as books, songs, comics, or movies. For instance, Dorota Masłowska's novel White and Red is one of the first books published featuring the dresiarz phenomenon. Dresy have also been a theme of (usually critical) songs by Dezerter and Big Cyc. They are also popular negative characters in the comic strip Jeż Jerzy. Some of the movies that depict dresiarze are Pigs (1992), Boys Don't Cry (2000), The Debt (1999), The Pianist (2002), Pitbull (2005), The Dark House (2009), or The Hater (2020).

In conclusion, dresiarz is a term that describes a Polish subculture of young males who emerged in the 1990s and are characterized by their distinctive fashion, music, lifestyle, and attitude. Dresiarze are often seen as a negative and problematic group by the mainstream society and media, but they may also have their own identity and values. Dresiarze have also influenced and been influenced by various forms of popular culture in Poland.

Beliefs
Dresiarz is a term used in Poland to describe a specific subculture or class of young males who stereotypically live in urban tower blocks or tenement houses, wear tracksuits and trainers, listen to disco polo and rap music, and are often portrayed as undereducated, unemployed, aggressive, and anti-social. The term comes from the Polish word for tracksuit, which is dres.

Dresiarze have their own beliefs and values that may differ from the mainstream society and culture. Some of the possible beliefs of dresiarze are:

- Loyalty to their friends, family, and neighborhood. Dresiarze often form groups or gangs based on their geographical location or common interests. They may also identify themselves with a specific football team or club and engage in hooliganism or rivalry with other groups. - Pride and defiance. Dresiarze may express their pride and solidarity through their appearance, behavior, language, and music. They may also resist or challenge the authority figures, such as the police, teachers, or parents. They may also reject or criticize the social norms and expectations, such as education, work, or morality. - Hedonism and escapism. Dresiarze may seek pleasure and excitement through various activities, such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs, driving fast cars, fighting, gambling, or having sex. They may also use these activities as a way of coping with their problems or frustrations. - Nationalism and conservatism. Dresiarze may have a strong sense of national identity and patriotism. They may also have a negative attitude towards foreigners, immigrants, minorities, or other cultures. They may also uphold traditional values and roles, such as masculinity, heterosexuality, or family.

The beliefs of dresiarze are often influenced by various factors, such as their social and economic background, their personal experiences, their exposure to media and popular culture, their peer pressure, or their individual preferences. The beliefs of dresiarze are not fixed or homogeneous; they may change over time or vary from person to person.

In conclusion, dresiarz is a term that describes a Polish subculture of young males who have their own beliefs and values that may differ from the mainstream society and culture. Dresiarze have their own sense of loyalty, pride, hedonism, and nationalism, but they may also face various challenges and conflicts in their lives.