Cliques and labels can come from how you act, what you like or dislike, and how you present yourself to others.
Even if you don't label yourself, other people can infer things about you from your appearance. A perfect example of this I observed this weekend was a shopping mall. And ordinary mall were some people go to pick up items they need, spend an afternoon, or some people walk around just to be seen there.
Familiar to that last category, at least a few years ago, was the "Mall Goth" a teenager donning black clothes and eyeliner for shock value as well as expression. Goth is an interesting culture because the outward appearance both alienates the members, and guides them to other people similar to them. It's an interesting oxymoronic subculture.
Somehow, this subculture has evolved through the years into some other form of youths dressing for shock value and to be noticed while hanging out. At my recent mall excursion I saw no less than four girls with tutu's on over their skinny jeans. Other common sights were lense-less glasses and those scene haircuts. The "Mall whatever this thing is" above is all about being noticed and getting attention. I probably sound old and like I don't get teenagers (Even though I still am one) but the age we live in is one where it's very easy to become self possessed on the internet, and why not get even more attention irl by slapping a tutu on over your jeans?!
I would get this look if it were at a rave or party or something, but it really looks awful for just going to the mall in.
A lot of these themes seem common with international street fashion as well, which I guess in a way teenaged mall scene kid is expressing her need for attention in a way not so different than Lolitas. Fashion is great because it gives you some control over how people perceive you, which you can alter by altering the way you dress. Wearing showy things or dressing up can certainly give people a boost in self esteem. Even though just a paragraph ago I ranted about how ugly the tutu/jeans trend was, if you like it, WEAR IT. I have my opinions on how it looks, but that shouldn't really stop anyone from wearing what they like.
That being said, I have always worn what I liked, which usually means comfortable and colorful (though I did dabble in goth in early highschool, for all the coolness it was I really really like colorful things.) In highschool, I would foten wear weird baggy mom capri paints covered in paint, with striped socks pulled up so you couldn't see any of my legs, with hoodies and skater shoes. Super dweeby, I know... but it was highschool and I was happy.
Here's an outfit I would like right now, still casual t-shirt combo, but with a poofy skirt and my usual striped socks. It blends pretty well with a fashion known in Japan as Fairy Kei, and I'm looking to incorporate more things like this into my wardrobe. not to be noticed especially, but because these articles of clothing express who I am as a person and work well with my lifestyle.
Anyways... I bet your all sick of my little doodles I drew on the way home from the mall now, soooo...
Aussie puppies and pink bows~
Cute doodles. :D
ReplyDeleteI never do myself up because I always have a sense of, like you mentioned, purposelessness. I'm not a very whimsical person, so if tshirt and jeans is cheapest and most practical it's what I go with. I'm actually stretching farther from this mindset, and just learning to do things that make me feel better, without questioning an overwhelming sense of purpose and order. :3
On the other hand, I love looking at people in certain fashions, and I want to look at myself and feel the same cheeryness I feel when I look at others. I don't feel like dressing cute and playful expresses my personality, I just love things like Fairy Kei, lol.
I agree that I may not personally find different style choices, uh, appealing, but whatever makes you happy! I just hate to think people dress to impress other people instead of themselves...
I've always bought stuff on a budget. Like walmart. And I still do. There's always a rare find at walmart. This this cute tank top i'm wearing. xD I don't think I ever have dressed to express. I get all my inspiration from pictures online, and what I see other people wearing that I find adorable.
ReplyDeleteActually... I remember when I had messy hair, huge hoodie, and baggy jeans, and when I walked into stores, people never greeted me. People were less likely to approach me. But when I started dressing more.. girly? And cute, I noticed people approached me more easily. Hm. It's like when people dislike pit bulls because of the media. They get that idea in their heads.
And I agree 100%, if you like it wear it. <3