Fashion

Fashion has been a difficult issue for me. I realized at a young age that fashion indicated social status. In fact, clothes was the #1 indicator of social status in grade school and middle school. In high school, things changed a bit as many became more socially aware and cared more about people as individuals than other factors. But it was still pretty brutal.

Understanding my resistance to fashion, I was very attracted to the grunge scene (even though we could afford better, and my parents would try to remind me to look nice). As I transferred to graduate school, my wardrobe also began to transfer to looking more "professional".

At first, I did it resistently. Then I began to like it more. Many teachers I spoke to talked about how you get more respect for dressing more professionally. And they're right to some degree.

My dad used to say "how you dress shows how serious you are" and that it shows how much you care. I think there's something to that. I've begun revamping my wardrobe to reflect that I care about how I look, and I feel like this is making me feel more confident and helping me look better. This isn't about impressing others, it is about doing something for myself.

Clothes are status symbols in our society, which is a shame, however there are always ways to find good clothes that aren't too expensive. It is just a matter of doing the best you can with your budget. Feeling good when you look in the mirror is just a reflection of how you feel about your place in life. I keep liking what see more and more and I feel that my life keeps on getting better. It certainly isn't a coincidence.

So, for better or worse, fashion is important. How you perceive yourself fashionably is a representation of how you project yourself in the world. It is no wonder that fashion has been so important in so many societies for so long.

I'm beginning to come to terms with it, and oddly enough I am starting to like it more and more. I used to hate going shopping, and wanted to be done as soon as possible. Now I carefully plan what I want and take my time to make sure I'm not wasting my money on something that isn't up to my standards. I feel that this represents a kind of maturity that I would have once viewed as sort of "selling out". But I still have standards. Now I avoid the biggest violators of human rights, and if I can afford it, look to buying from American-made companies or other small businesses world-wide. My approach to fashion is also my approach to the world economy.

So much can be said about clothes...