WAG's... A small History.

"WAG's" or "WAG" is a term used particularly by the British tabloid press to describe the 'WIVES and GIRLFRIENDS' of the England football team.
It came into use in 2006, -during the World Cup though it first orginated in 2004.


Susie Dent's "Language Report" for the Oxford University Press in 2006 capitalised the entire acronym as "WAGS." This was now a firmly established term.

The WAGS of 2006 include Victoria Beckham (she was described as the "Queen WAG" by the New Yorker) Cheryl Cole, Coleen McLoughlin, Carly Zucker and Alex Curran.

Fashion writers of 2006 identified a "WAG fallout." Clashes in their style, and 'over exposture' of certain styles... This is the idea that ignited ITV's show of the 'WAG Boutique.'

Symbolism and the use of iconography is evident within the WAGS style of clothing. Take for example their sunglasses.. -"WAGS far from using dark sunglasses to encourage others to leave them alone, treat them as a weapon to excite and attract the paparazzi." (The Sunday Times Style's senior fashion writer Colin McDowell.)

Backlashes from some of the orginal WAGS has led to different interpretations of what the exact term means; Jamelia describes the differences in WAGS as:

"...businesswomen who have a job, and then on the other hand, those who have wrong priorities and simply spend their boyfriend's money."

Wikipedia.

BOOK RESEARCH. "Status Anxiety" -Alain de Botton.

This book felt like a good read becuase of it's very title. By reading the blurb it became very clear that this book dealt with the issues of addressing one's social stance and I immediantly saw it's potential in helping me to gain insight into the why's and how's the WAG's keep up to date with other WAG's. The book addresses the need for competition but also looks at the factors which causes such feelings of being threatened.

"Sugar and Spice and No Longer Nice" -Deborah Prothron and Howarth Spivak.

This book was all to do with the relationships between females. I found this book very interesting to read becuase it provided case studies of teenagers that could be made to use for the WAG's to reason their behaviour towards one another. I found several research that I could link in with the "Wag's boutique."

"The Sex Which Is Not One." -Luce Irigaray.

This book displays the relationship between males and females, refering to our patriarchal society at many times. This will be useful when looking at social factors, and ideologies.

"Patterns of Social Inequality" -Huw Beynon and Pandeli Glavanis.

I wanted to look at a book which would contain content that would be useful in looking at the makeup of our society. 'Patterns of Social Inequality' highlights, with reference to my study, the role of women containing a few stereotypes.

"More Than Meets The Eye" -Graeme Burton.

This is more like a study guide. I found this book particularly useful when looking at 'representations.'

My Independant Study

My independent study is on; The representation of the WAG's, referring to 'Ugly Betty,' proving the theory that intelligence and beauty (of women) are represented as being mutually exclusive. ..and that they can't and haven't been represented like that because its too threatening to society to have powerful women.

Something about how Victoria Beckham and Colleen are breaking out of that mould? -But, then again they're only successful because of their beauty and we wouldn't really classify them as business women. For example, Colleen is reaching fame being a model for Asda, and Victoria rose to fame through the Spice girls... then some would argue through David Beckham... but now it's her style. But she does have a book, so... hmm.

And there's Gerrad's girlfriend who's got her column in the 'Daily Mirror' yet again, its all about clothes, shopping...etc etc. -Hardly a true journalist.

With regards to 'Ugly Betty,' well, ill be using her to prove the point that she's got intelligence... ironic how she's still referred to as being 'UGLY Betty.'

Ok, so that's the basic gist of my independent study. :o)