this week in (having a sense of humor).

For me, this post always seemed inevitable.  As somebody who doesn’t take himself all too seriously, I find that I am drawn to people and things that do the same.  This week, having survived midterm season, I was on the lookout for clothing and music that weren't afraid to have a sense of humor.

If you spend way too much time readings fashion blogs, as I do, you will know that one of  the most talked about bag of last year cost a mere $65 and is little more than a plain canvas tote.  Unlike your average canvas tote, however, this one comes screen-printed on five sides with a photographic image of the iconic Hermès Birkin.

Image via Thursday Friday.

The bag, known as a “Together Bag” was the debut item from American accessories label Thursday Friday.  One year and one lawsuit later (Hermès wasn’t exactly happy about the bags) Thursday Friday has come out with the “Diamonds Together Bag.”  Much like it’s older cousin, the Diamonds bag references the quilted Chanel flap bag with screen-printed images on all sides.

Image via Thursday Friday.

Naturally, these totes have spawned fierce debate across the web over whether or not the sale of these bags is ethical.  Being the not-so-serious guy that I am, I find all iterations of this design to be hilarious and clever.  

Printing an image of a $5,000 bag on a cheap, ordinary canvas tote communicates a simple yet clever message.  By reducing the tote bag to it’s simple use value, the designers at Thursday Friday manage to point out the absurdity that is designer fashion envy.  The bags appear to most clearly poke fun at the Hermès Birkin, which is infamously known for multi-year wait lists and prices that have at times reached over $100,000.

Where as the Together tote bags clearly aim to poke fun at the fashion world, humor isn’t always as obvious, as is the case with the song “Reindeer” by Swedish electronic duo The Knife.  The song, from their less-known eponymous debut album, provides a dark, yet funny perspective on the lives of Santa’s reindeer.

Listen to Reindeer on The Hype Machine

Note: This version, called "Christmas Reindeer" is slightly different form the album version.

If you were to simply read the lyrics, the song seems pretty cutesy.  But lines such as “Hooves light as feathers / The sleigh this year is heavier” are not quite as innocent as they seem.

The song’s industrial production sets a somber mood.  Furthermore, lines like “This house must be the last now / And we follow Mr. Santa to the end,” when combined with the song’s tone, create a somewhat apocalyptic interpretation of a seemingly innocent topic.  

As to whether or not you actually find this interpretation to by funny is a matter of personal preference, but I think it worth a chuckle.

Are these bags designer knock-offs or not?

Are the designs clever?

Is the song “Reindeer” funny or just odd?

How are you maintaing a sense of humor this week?