The association exists here, too. I have no idea why, but it seems to hold true for my corner of the world. The types of people who wear wildlife shirts around here tend to be:
Given my druthers, I’d much rather deal with categories 1 or 2.
Being as how I’m in a largely white-trash county, I can give my own input from an objective, unemotional view. Wolf T-shirts are worn largely by the elderly in my neck of the woods (central Florida), specifically, my grandmother. No one under retirement age wears 'em. No one.
The white trash here wears old, faded t-shirts with holes in them, usually with some Confederate motif (Dixie Outfitters, usually).
oh believe me, he’s not making it up and he’s not crazy. The association most definately exists here(Michigan).
Guys, let’s remember the word “many/most,” ok? I see a lot of people saying, “Well, I know so-and-so who wears those shirts and isn’t a redneck!” That’s fine. We’re not surprised. So-and-so must be outside of the “many/most” group. Which is great. But knowing someone who wears those shirts and isn’t a redneck doesn’t negate the stereotype or anything. I know a guy (a good friend in high school) who wears wolf shirts and isn’t a redneck, too. That doesn’t mean I don’t still recognize it as a stereotype. I don’t judge someone for their airbrushed wildlife shirts, but I can still recognize a stereotype as a stereotype.
Yes, but LauraLP- in order for it to be a stereotype, it does have to be “most”- not just a small minority. And simply- not so here in CA. And, after a quick chat to my bud in NYC- not there either. In fact- he has never heard of this stereotype either. Thus- it could be local- but it is NOT “many/most”.
True, as Burundi mentioned, we DO have people types 1 & 2- teenagers & “spacey white women” (and LOTS of both!), and yes, they do wear wildlife T-shirts sometimes. However, neither come into the “white trash” definition. And, yes, I have seen some Senior citizens wearing such- as Lodrain mentioned- but again- not “white trash”.
Note that “White Trash” is a bigoted and offensive term like “Ghetto Nigger” is. Why use it?
I stand corrected, DrDeth.
Perhaps what I mean to say is, yes, I know so-and-so, and yes, so-and-so wears wolf shirts and is not a redneck, but that doesn’t mean the stereotype doesn’t exist.
Though around here, I’d definitely say it’s “many/most.” 
Typically I see skinny hick-type kids with unkempt hair wearing them…not usually adults.
when I see one it’s almost exclusively on a tourist, especially near state parks and forests. I think a lot of old people where them also. I remember seeing any white trash wearing them (unless they are white trash tourists.)
5-HT, It must be a detroit thing, I asked around and no one had even heard of it
(right now I’m up near MTU though)
Having grown up in Colorado, wolf symbolism is easily trumped by any kind of tacky Native American symbolism (especially the kokopeli symbol and dream catchers) and other graphics of wildlife. And these symbols can be found on anyone from rednecks to hippies to grandmothers walking around suburban malls. In other words these symbols can easily cross socioeconomic lines, and from items including t-shirts to jewelry to throws to Southwestern art knick-knacks to air-brushed paintings on vans. However I have to side with some of the posts above, and suggest that cheap shirts of any kind are more likely to be found on poor white people rather than more expensive shirts, obviously; and that the nature of whatever designs are found on those shirts is likely to be tied directly to the products sold in local stores.
Whats even worse is those people that have lightning on their shirts. Or lightning AND wolves.
We have posters from KC, Ontario, Atlanta, Michigan, and North Carolina saying it exists in those places, and just as many posters saying the same with no discernable location in their profile. I would not say that’s “local” to anywhere, or in the OPs imagination.
I wouldn’t know if wolf shirts are white trash per se. I do know i find them very ugly, though. But don’t let that stop you from wearing one, if you’re into that sort of thing.
[sub]I saw a guy wearing a black shirt with a red Peterbild truck, a lightning bolt flashing down, AND a huge overimposed wolf head. I think there may have been a single red rose in there too, but that may just be my imagination going wild here. Yikes, that was one fugly shirt.[/sub]
Hey now, What wrong with wolf shirt wearing, mullet haired, biker, white trash truck drivers and hard ridden women ?
That describe my whole family.
It exists here in Arizona, too; I don’t think the OP is crazy
I have three black t-shirts.
One is from Falcon Northwest (the computer manufacturer) and has their old trademark F-16 on the back (kinda faded now, being six years old).
One has a pair of wolves with shining eyes–picked it up at in Bird-in-Hand, PA.
One has a structural diagram of Shakespeare’s Globe–bought it on that location in London.
Not sure what this says about me, but I do know I’ve never sported a mullet…
I have observed this stereotype in Southern Ohio and Northwest Arkansas. Both areas have an observable white trash population. I think the reason for the wolf shirts (and similar shirts with the Confederate flag or Jack Daniels, etc.) is psycological. Deep down, the wearer knows he or she is inferior when judged by normal conventions of our culture. Whether it’s income, education, appearance, personal behavior or a combination of the above, they know they come up short. To compensate, they wear clothing to tell the world that “By god, I may lack (insert inferiority here) but I’m a tough and bad mofo!”
They tell themselves (and, by silent agreement, each other) that a “badass” attitude makes them better than those who are superior to them. “They may have more xxxxx, but I’m a REAL MAN, by god.” This is a particularly strong urge among the males, whose self esteem is tied directly to the white trash “badass” attitude. The shirt is just part of the total package, along with the poor grooming and the rude interpersonal behavior. Many times you will find that the males will own a Rottweiler or a Pit Bull. “Only a badass dog will do for a badass like me.”
You people just don’t git it do you? Them shirts are cool. I pulled my rig into a Stucky’s the other day and there they was. Just past the shotgun shells and next to the chrome babe mudflaps. A whole selection of them beauties. I got me one and one for my old lady. Her’s has the bottom half kind of sliced up and braided with colorful beads. Becuase I bought two of them the threw in a “Deep Fry The Dixie Chicks” hat. WHOOO BOY when I git home Im gonna git me some luving for sure!!!
The two above posts are two of the most disgusting examples of elitism I’ve ever encountered. For shame, Evil One and G-Ray.
Really? Lightning and wolves, you say?
:cough: :cough:
::slowly easing closet door shut::
Too be honest, I think the one with lightning and wolves also has the sleaves cut off. 
Am I white trash? Not hardly, but I do have very strong redneck roots. I just like wolves in general, and that’s all people would buy me as gifts for years.
Now a days I try to limit my wolf shirts to nice ones with subdued artwork. Not tacky, not flashy. Just something that makes you say “Hey, nice sketch”.
That’s not so bad… Is it? (please, tell me that people haven’t been looking at me as white trash because of my shirts… please?)
besides… I like to wear my old army camo’s and an oil stained white t-shirt for my White Trash days…