Does Your Style Define You?

The other day at lunch I noticed the cliques at my school, sitting separately to avoid awkward small talk with the people outside of their group. The "ghetto kids" staring off into space, the popular kids keeping to themselves, and the weirdos just keeping each other company. Its 2014 and we still haven't come up with a way to talk to people outside of our comfort zones. And what are the boundaries of these comfort zones? Hair style, shoes, and the tightness of your jeans (unless you wear skirts and dresses.) Honestly, I think it's really sad that the way you dress determines the way you fit in. And it's not just in prison (high school), its everywhere. Whether you’re a stoner or a prep, people will treat you like your stereotype.

If you dress even remotely like a stoner, you automatically smoke weed. At least, that's what everyone already assumes about you. If you dress really preppy in that cute Lilly Pulitzer dress you’re aunt bought for you, you’re automatically a snob. At least what all the stoners assume about you.

Do people dress differently to fit in with their cliques? I think so, unless your squad is cool enough to not care what you dress in. Usually, while shopping I either take my friends with me or send them pictures of clothes I want to buy. If they tell me not to buy something, I won’t.

I hate to break it to you, but sometimes preppy people, like college kids in frats, are coke heads, and sometimes hipsters aren't necessarily stoners and don't actually do any drugs at all.

Check this out:

The Problem with Rich Kids

“They show disturbingly high rates of substance use, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, cheating, and stealing.”

Read the article for more information. 

Why do people feel the need to dress differently to fit in? Is it because their goth friends won’t talk to them unless they're wearing black or purple? Or do they just like that style of dress? If you don’t like the way you dress but your friends do, change it! And if your “friends” ditch you because of it, then they weren't your friends, they’re assholes.

Have you changed to fit in with your friends? If you like your style that's awesome and keep being yourself, but if you don’t, just stop. If they’re your real friends, they won’t care, I promise. You’ll feel better and they’ll notice and love it too.

Whats your style? Hipster? Jock? Artist? Prep, nerd, or emo? Do you just throw on sweatpants and a t shirt? Any of these are great but how would you feel if you were only associated with other people from those groups? Some people are bothered by that, some people are comforted.

PS Just because you dress differently than your friends, that does not mean you can't be friends with them.

PS Just because you dress differently than your friends, that does not mean you can't be friends with them!!!!!!

I'm considered a hipster and I don't mind my label, but when people look at me and automatically assume that I'm a slut or a drug addict it just gets pretty old. So instead of trying to relentlessly search for my squad in the lunch room I decided to sit with a freshman in my art class. She never really talked to anyone but I figured I'd give it a shot. Just because she was wearing a cardigan and khakis doesn't mean I can't associate with her. She was actually pretty cool. Breaking down social barriers is what we're supposed to be doing! If you look at someone and ignore them because of what they're wearing, you ARE NOT better than them. You are an ignorant scumbag. Bottom line, dress in whatever makes you feel good. If you think somethings cool, just put it on. And if you don’t like something, you don’t have to wear it to fit in. The scumbags will eventually not be able to find a seat.