They are the hottest wearable right now, despite the fashion
gurus adding the adjective 'once trendy' while referring to
them. Yes we're talking about rubber wristbands. You can't
escape them anymore. Be it evacuees at Gaza or NBA football
stars, all are wearing these bands. Passing fad? Don't know, but
they are still selling like hot cakes. If you have just stepped
out of a time machine and can't distinguish a rubber wristband
from a tennis wristband, read this: Rubber wristbands were
popularised by famous cycling champion Lance Armstrong who
fought and survived multiple cancers. Armstrong wore a signature
yellow rubber wristband during his record sixth straight victory
at the Tour de France in July. Armstrong was diagnosed with
testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain when he
was 25. He won the 1999 Tour de France and has won it six years
in a row. The 'Livestrong' rubber wristbands from the Lance
Armstrong Foundation are a means to show support for those
battling cancer. The sales of these wristbands shot up when
Oprah Winfrey encouraged her viewers to order a bracelet when
she had Armstrong as a guest on her show. The Live Strong rubber
wristbands sell for $1 a piece. And they are still selling at
the rate of 200,000 per day. The funds raised through selling
them will support the Lance Armstrong Foundation's efforts to
help young people with cancer and their family members to live
strong. Today there are rubber wristbands of all colors
available -- blue, pink, yellow, striped... The blue rubber
wristband was launched by BBC Radio One, and has the words 'Beat
Bullying' stamped on it. This wristband is highly popular among
footballers. One of the most popular rubber wristbands around is
the 'Support our troops' wristband worn by family members of
American servicemen. They come in many colors. The pink ones are
about breast cancer awareness. These wristbands are made of
either silicon or rubber. There are also paper and leather
wristbands, and ornamental bracelets. Wearing a wristband is a
good way of announcing your support for any worthy cause. What's
more, you can have your own custom message stamped on it. The
beauty of rubber wristbands is that they can be worn in any
situation. So what does the continuing popularity of the rubber
wristbands imply? That they are more than just an accessory.
They are about attitude, a reminder about one of the numerous
worthy causes that drive the human civilization forward. They
are about the human need to show solidarity to those fighting
against mighty odds. Yes, rubber wristbands are a civilizational
need in these turbulent times. Let the fashion gurus call them a
passing fad, or whatever they like. But these rubber wristbands
are here to stay. If you have a worthy cause to support, show it
by wearing a rubber wristband.
About the author:
Shannan Barrett is an avid reader and market researcher. She
dedicates much of her free time helping the underprivileged and
finds the charitable aspect of the 'bracelet craze' amazing,
especially with Lance Armstrong?s 'Live Strong' foundation.
Barrett looks at what drives the continuing craze for
|
