# Is It Possible To Carry Off The "Cosmo Kramer" Look Today? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755 "2013-12-07T16:02:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/41 "2013-12-09T23:09:12Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > That’s easy: nerds. Ah, the “no true faux-hipster” fallacy? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/42 "2013-12-09T23:15:57Z")
Hey, it was in response to the “everyone under 35 is a hipster” fallacy. Cut me some slack. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/43 "2013-12-10T21:39:30Z")
“I sense great vulnerability. A man-child crying out for love. An innocent orphan in the post-modern world.” “I see a parasite. A sexually depraved miscreant who is seeking only to gratify his basest and most immediate urges.” “His struggle is man’s struggle. He lifts my spirit.” “He is a loathesome, offensive brute. Yet I can’t look away.” “He transcends time and space.” “He sickens me.” “I love it.” “Me too.” [The Kramer Painting](http://www.arts-wallpapers.com/paintings/kramer/kramer.jpg). I seriously want a print of this. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/44 "2013-12-10T21:50:36Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Who doesn’t wear white socks? 😕 I hardy ever wear white socks. Or tennis shoes. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/45 "2013-12-10T21:53:09Z")
What made Kramer cool was his independence and disregard for fashion and trends. Which is part of what makes up a real trendsetter. If you want to be like Kramer, then, you’re not like him AT ALL. Because he doesn’t want to be like anyone else. It’s very Zen. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/46 "2013-12-10T22:24:41Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > Which is part of what makes up a real trendsetter. The other part is setting trends that anyone else wants to follow. Which is where Kramer fell down. (Actually, he fell down a lot.) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/47 "2013-12-11T03:25:28Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > …[The Kramer Painting](http://www.arts-wallpapers.com/paintings/kramer/kramer.jpg). I seriously want a print of this. An alternative source: [Amazon.com: Pyramid Seinfeld Kramer Wall Poster: Prints: Posters & Prints](http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-Seinfeld-Kramer-Wall-Poster/dp/B00533K1H6) ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/48 "2013-12-11T04:50:48Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I must chime in with the others who are saying that you missed the point on the character. The whole point was that he was not classy. It’s like if someone said that Archie Bunker was a respected and convincing voice for restoring traditional values in America… just, no. Both characters are way more complex than you’re suggesting, Archie Bunker was much more than a one dimensional bigot and it would not shock me if someone admired some aspect of the character. Same for Kramer, he wasn’t just a buffoon and in fact compared to the rest of the cast may have been the most human character. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/49 "2013-12-11T06:33:18Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I mean, Kramer made 1950s thrift store dressing cool-he made old bowling shirts and white socks classy again. > Can you do this today? Or would you look like: > -a complete jerk > -a homeless person > I like the look-and giving vintage clothing a new life! > I am always amazed ad the quality of the 1950s garments-they were made to last! From his hairdo alone, Kramer resembled: 1. Struwwulpeter 2. Don King before his laundry comes back from the cleaners 3. Patti LaBelle in drag 4. Cosmo Kramer whose reprive came through just as the warden pulled the switch 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Bragg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Stealth\_Bragg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Bragg)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/50 "2013-12-11T13:12:15Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > An alternative source: [Amazon.com: Pyramid Seinfeld Kramer Wall Poster: Prints: Posters & Prints](http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-Seinfeld-Kramer-Wall-Poster/dp/B00533K1H6) Looks like a young Lt Columbo to me… ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/51 "2013-12-11T13:50:31Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Both characters are way more complex than you’re suggesting, Archie Bunker was much more than a one dimensional bigot and it would not shock me if someone admired some aspect of the character. Same for Kramer, he wasn’t just a buffoon and in fact compared to the rest of the cast may have been the most human character. I’m trying to figure out where **Ravenman** said that Kramer is just a buffoon, or that Archie Bunker is one-dimensional. I’m not seeing that stated or implied in the post. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/52 "2013-12-11T15:55:47Z")
Hey, we made it to a second page. It’s a Festivus miracle! ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/53 "2013-12-11T16:17:39Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > I’m trying to figure out where **Ravenman** said that Kramer is just a buffoon, or that Archie Bunker is one-dimensional. I’m not seeing that stated or implied in the post. > [@](#): > > I must chime in with the others who are saying that you missed the point on the character. The whole point was that he was not classy. It’s like if someone said that Archie Bunker was a respected and convincing voice for restoring traditional values in America… just, no. He didn’t use the word buffoon, but did say he wanted to join the chorus that the whole point of the character was missed by the OP which is that Kramer is the opposite of classy. I don’t think ralph124c missed the whole point of Kramer at all is what I’m saying, and I’m pretty sure ralph124c and other posters who defended Kramer are not only admiring the character’s fashion sense, they are admiring other aspects of the character. So I think someone could say they admire Archie Bunker for his traditional values and mean his devotion to his wife and daughter or some other aspect of the character. I mean this is what the OP and others say about Kramer: > [@](#): > > Kramer was classy-he lived life the way he wanted to…wasn’t hung up on fads…a bit of a mooch, but classy! > [@](#): > > I’d say he was the only character with genuine qualities. Yes, he was highly eccentric and frequently dragged other people into trouble through his oddball schemes and ideas. However, he was the only character in the show that was not thoroughly self-absorbed. There are several episodes where Kramer goes out of his way to help various people. As a matter of fact, he’s often shown as being very good at making friends (see the Soup Nazi). He’s the guy who gets along with everyone. Exactly how someone as wacky as he is gets along so well is part of some of the mysteries that made him funny, such as how can he afford such a nice apartment in Manhattan without a job. And what is his first name. > [@](#): > > What made Kramer cool was his independence and disregard for fashion and trends. Which is part of what makes up a real trendsetter. > > If you want to be like Kramer, then, you’re not like him AT ALL. Because he doesn’t want to be like anyone else. It’s very Zen. And I think the thread chorus of “you missed the point of Kramer” sure sounds like a buffoon. > [@](#): > > You thought that the Kramer character was classy > > * * * > > I have a feeling someone REALLY didn’t “get” Seinfeld. > > * * * > > In other words, a homeless person who happened to have a home. > > * * * > > Kramer is the part of that show I never understood. If I lived in that building, the first time he slid into my apartment I’d put about 5 locks on the door, and a wide angle peephole in the door so I could make sure he wasn’t in the hall. Did that guy have any redeeming qualities? > > * * * > > The look is “hipster doofus” if you go by what everyone said on the show. The other characters didn’t think he was classy. > > * * * > > Kramer thought he was classy. Everyone else thought he was an idiot. > > * * * > > Eww. Those awful old-man pants and white socks…he always looked like he smelled. Like B.O. and unwashed ass. (I do understand why he had fans, though. George Costanza in the same universe had no problem getting dates. Seems unrealistic, but of course such folk in real life do as well as Hollywood types might.) ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755/54 "2013-12-11T22:27:11Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > . . . I like the look-and giving vintage clothing a new life! > I am always amazed ad the quality of the 1950s garments-they were made to last! Sorry to interrupt, but you do realize that all of the garments made in the 1950s that weren’t made to last - didn’t last. I’m not saying that garments weren’t sturdier then, only that it’s not possible to conclude that from looking at the garments that lasted. Now back to Kramer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-carry-off-the-cosmo-kramer-look-today/675755.md?page=2)