By Anoosha Barua
Edited by Catherine Xie
People often discuss the influence of social pressures and peer pressure on teens in class or in their social life, but another effect this brings to one's personality deeply is in their fashion and style. Judgments regarding what people wear often prevent people from wearing what they want or force people to wear things that don’t accurately reflect their personality.
Whether it's your family, friends, or just your community in general, these aspects of your life influence your stylistic decisions greatly.
Often times, influences on people stem from their region and the people around them; styles become popularized and eventually become the social norm, and people who don’t follow these standards are considered outcasts.
Unsurprisingly, what people wear and what they look like is the first thing people notice and the thing that leaves a lasting impression. Because of this, terms that describe certain fashions --goth, hippie, punk, preppy, boho-- also reflect the lifestyle of most people who dress in that style. Nowadays, people think to truly be gothic or hippie or preppy, you must dress in that manner as well, which gives so much power to these terms. That being said, I believe the authority given to these words pressures people of all ages to mold themselves into a behavioral and lifestyle stereotype.
Specifically, in fashion, terms that are used to give people a sense of the different social classes are “hi-end” or “high fashion,” or even “haute couture.” These terms refer to luxury and one-of-a-kind brands to express an aura of prosperity and affluence. In addition to this, the concept of being “trendy” or “in-trend” suggests there is a group that is considered “being in” and another “being out,” and to a certain degree, most people think being in is better than being out. This tone and phrase indicate a sort of “competition” which you win by being “in-trend” and lose if you are out.
Do you ever feel as if you can’t wear something because it’s not common practice in your school, community, or any other social environment?
This happens to many people and here’s why: there are ‘social norms’ when it comes to dressing in every aspect of life. Whether you’re at school or at a party, different styles are required. Depending on who you spend your time with, people often end up wearing different styles --goth, punk, hippie, boho, preppy, etc.
This causes people to create their own boundaries and constrictions regarding what they wear, and although this is an effect of society, no one is enforcing this except yourself. It may be to fit in for fear of standing out, but what does it matter? In high school, it’s the same people, day in and day out, but once you move into the real world, most of the people you see each day are merely strangers. Passerbys in each other’s lives without a second thought to what others do or wear; as long as it doesn’t hurt or offend people, no one cares. If a judgment is passed, it is typically fleeting. One second on one person’s mind. One stranger’s mind, and you will never see them again. So why should you care? Ultimately, it comes down to a need for acceptance and security, but when you think deeply about this, you wonder: why should I rely on strangers’ opinions to vindicate myself?
Fashion is a creative outlet. For someone like me who can’t paint or draw, what I wear is a part of who I am and my way of expressing my creativity. Either a reflection of my mood or personality, my style represents me and no one else. Almost as individual as my fingerprint. Yes, it may be influenced or inspired by others, but in the end, it is my manifestation.
So… if something makes you happy, wear it.
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