I do not often take time to analyze the way that I dress and represent myself. I love this topic of discussion and how it has made me reflect on how we perceive others and also how we perceive ourselves. I know that (even when I do not realize it) I am always expressing myself and my values through what I do and what I wear. For example, I enjoy trends and styles as well as unique design and expression. I am not the type of person who likes to dress in a “plain” way. Although I enjoy my comfort, I enjoy the artistic type of expression we are able to make through our clothing and adornment. I also pay attention to detail. I like things to match and I enjoy accessorizing with my outfits.

I think my choices come from the friends I have surrounded myself with, and also the lifestyle I have grown up in. I have been raised in a somewhat conservative Christian family, so a lot of my outfit choices are based off of what my parents and grandparents would see as appropriate. As fashion has changed, I am sure there are things that they do not understand (in terms of style). While this may be true, I know that a lot of my style choices reflect how others would think of and view me. Maybe I care a little too much what others think of me, but at this point in my life, I like to be seen as a mature adult. I know that in order for me to set a respectable image for myself, I have to think about what I wear and the way I represent myself. There are many choices I have made throughout my life that show this standard I have set for myself, not only through my outfits, but also through my adornment. Someone who has always encouraged me to “think before I act” is my mom. The day I turned 18, I immediately wanted a tattoo. For my mom it did not make sense because tattoos were not as popular as they are now. While she kept an open mind, she reminded me that that was something permanent I would have all my life. She also explained how the placement and the tattoo itself should be very important in my decision-making. As a spontaneous and impulsive teenager, I was upset she was not automatically onboard. Now, looking back I appreciate her advice and her input.

There are definitely some things that I wore in high school and middle school that I would no longer wear now. In the same respect, I know that there will be things that I will no longer wear in my future that I enjoy wearing now. As we age we have to consider that society is changing as well. What was respectable in the past may not hold the same weight that it does today. One way I can illustrate this is through the trends I see on campus. Being on not only a college campus, but also a liberal arts campus, I see a variety of ways that individuals customize themselves. An example of this is when I go to the gym. There are circumstances when I feel like an outfit can simply express your age and your way of life. I see many outfits from tiny spandex to sweats. Judgments may be made, but I know that when I go to the gym, the way that I look is of no concern to me. I choose not to overexpose my body because the gym is a place where I go to stay in shape and remain healthy. In society, exposure of your body is of more acceptance than it may have been in the past. While this is true, I see that with age I find myself moving away from that style and form of expression. In a similar sense, I have found myself walking into a favorite store of mine in the past and finding nothing appealing to me. The types of clothing that may have interested me in the past, I am no longer drawn to. New trends will always be introduced and societies views will always evolve. That is one of the amazing things I find about fashion is that it is always changing and new styles and looks are admired. It is hard to say what will or won’t be in style, as I get older, but I think the most influential factor I have in my life is the people I surround myself with.

 

This week the reading was, Introduction: Body Alteration, Artistic Production, and the Social World of Tattooing, by C., Sanders.

I often find myself “people watching” when I go out. As I do this, I often notice myself making assumptions about people based on their appearance and their actions. Today I sat on campus and watched a few people. The first one was a girl reading a book on a bench on the corner of campus. Based solely on her looks and dress, it seemed like maybe she had an artistic style. The fact that she was reading a book alone seemed like she had an enjoyment for literature (another form of art) and was a person content of being alone or having alone time. After she had sat for a while I saw her walk over to the bike rack and head off on her vintage style bike. It was one that is a popular style around campus, so I thought she might be someone who is not only artistic, but also likes what is trendy at the time.

Another girl I saw had on a dress and was walking with a few friends all wearing black dresses. They had heels and fine jewelry on (so I assumed they were not headed off to class or to the library). I immediately thought that they might be sorority girls. Their outfits made me think that they were obviously going somewhere (so I assumed they would be social). The girl talking on the phone also gave me the impression that they were socially active. Assuming they were in a sorority, I would guess the girls came from a somewhat higher economic background (as I know sororities can be expensive). I often find myself associating groups of girls with sororities and the Greek life. Not to say that they are all the same, but this most likely meant that they were going to a mixer or some type of event.

The last person I saw was a guy lacing up his shoelaces and getting ready for a run. He had his athletic clothes on, his dog on a leash, and was getting ready to take off. He seemed like an active and fit person who must enjoy physical activity as well as the nice weather. He had his dog with him, which made me think that he may appreciate companionship and animals. He also had what seemed to be a mostly Nike attire. From the looks of it, I would guess that he is someone who takes his working out more seriously than others. While Nike is a popular brand many people like (which may be why he was wearing it), he was in the athletic gear. He also had on Asics running shoes. I am a runner, so I knew that was a popular style for a running shoe. That also gave me the indication that he was someone who must work out often.

All of these observations showed me how much you think you can tell about someone based on appearance alone. I tend to take into consideration my values, my knowledge (what is “in style”), and how I was raised when I am viewing others. This may be a good or bad thing, as I know that I cast judgment at times when I often should not. Looking at someone doesn’t tell you who he or she are as a person or what their story is, it is only a snap-shot of who they may be in our own opinion. I know that I definitely use my own experience and thoughts when assuming what other people may be like.