DO CLOTHES REALLY MAKE THE (WO)MAN?

 

By now we are all familiar with the symbol of the hoodie and why so many have begun to adorn one.  The hoodie (as of late) has become a symbol of injustice, or that of a thug.  It is amazing how one article of clothing could emit such a negative message,however, this got me to thinking.  What exactly does our clothing reveal about our personalities, our likes, our dislikes, our ethics and moral values; what does your clothing reveal about you?

It seems that as times have progressed women’s hems have gotten shorter and their necklines have plunged further; while many of today’s men prefer to wear their denim as tight as most women.  So what does wearing your clothes in such a manner reveal about who you are?  Is it safe to assume that a scantily dressed female is a whore, or that a man who wears skinny jeans is a homosexual?  Our fashion sense is heavily influenced by music and celebrity culture.  Many opt to wear a certain style because their favorite musician or celebrity dons the same thing.  The bikini shocked people when it emerged on French beaches in 1947, but soared to popularity when shown worn by pinup girls such as Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and Lana Turner. If you are familiar with the television program “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” you would take note of the very provocative nature in which these women dress (many of whom are adolescents) looking more like strippers, than children; however many of these young women remain virgins until marriage.  If a woman is raped does her attire play a role in circumstance, or should “no means no” stand?Is it fair to assume that a man who wears baggy jeans and Jordans is a thug, even if he has no criminal record or has never held a firearm? There are certain states here in America that issue a fine up to $500 fine for sagging your jeans. Where should the line between personal expression and indecent exposure be drawn?

As children we are told to never judge a book by its cover; so the premise of categorizing someone merely based upon they way they are dressed is a complete contradiction of that adage. It seems a loss to categorize a person based upon what they have on, before you have the opportunity to speak and meet with them.  I for one am a firm believer in dressing appropriately for your age,body type, and occasion; however, to totally dismiss someone or generalize a person based upon their attire is prejudice. We have to learn to see people as individuals, because a person is more than just the clothes they wear.