I Am Not What I Wear

     Does the way you dress affect the way you're addressed? Do the things that make you distinctive tend to be things that get you disregarded? Maybe it's just me but I'm starting to notice this more and more in life. It seems like the things I choose to wear - or maybe the things I choose not to wear - determine the way others treat me. And not just people my own age - I'm talking about teachers... strangers... even little kids on the street. I find this extremely intriguing and decided to delve deeper into the subject.

     I don't have what you would call a definitive "look". My closet ranges from jerseys and shorts to Polo shirts and khakis. I even think I might have a suit or two somewhere in there. One day I might have on a T-shirt I got for free at some event, the next day I might be wearing something designed by Ralph Lauren. My style changes all the time. In high school, I didn't have that luxury. My school was exceptionally fashion-conscious. It was the kind of place where a discussion on current events was sure to include the latest pair of Michael Jordan shoes to be released. I confess I fit in with the clothing culture because I didn't have the courage to stand out. At the time, it was too much of a hassle. I just wore the same things the other guys wore and tried to slip into anonymity.

     After high school.... Wow! It was like coming out of the Dark Ages and stepping into the Renaissance period. There were brilliant colors! Unheard of designs! And the option to wear whatever I wanted! I took maximum advantage of this and rebelled against social conformity by buying and wearing only clothing I liked, regardless of whether it was in style or not. I soon discovered that I had a style all of my own. I also discovered that my newfound independence was the cause of some isolation.

     For instance, there are days when I want to look nice. I'm a business student and sometimes I want to look like one. So I'll wear a dress shirt and maybe some nice pants to class. On these days the teachers seem to smile at me more than usual. Some of the other students seem to stare at me more than usual. People also appear to be more polite towards me when I dress like this. On the other hand, there are days when I absolutely do not care what I look like. I'll throw on a wrinkled T-shirt and the first pair of jeans I see. I have a favorite pair of jeans that I've had for years.... They are in shreds at the bottom. I call them my Saturday jeans. A lot of times, if I know I'm not doing anything or going anywhere of great importance, those are what I'll wear. Well, a lot of times when I'm dressed like this, some people tend to treat me like an outcast! They talk to me as if I'm unintelligent - if at all - and go out of their ways to avoid helping me. More than once, I've see the same people a day or two later - dressed nicely - and their attitude towards me has changed completely around. I find it amusing. I've actually gone to certain stores and classes dressed one way and returned another day dressed a different way just to gauge people's responses. After seeing this several times, I feel safe to say I'm not imagining it. 

      I know I'm not alone. I've had friends with tattoos and piercings convey the same sentiment. There is a saying that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Well, unfortunately people do. It's like with some people individuality is frowned upon. Conformity and maintaining the status quo are advocated. And one of the ridiculous things about it is that we live in one of the most - if not the most - narcissistic times ever. It's all about individuality! I've seen so many people walking around with tattoos that it looks like the people without them are in the minority! I can't even say with any certainty how many of my friends have their natural hair and eye colors right now. And so I think the important question here - the one we must ask ourselves and work to rectify - is: why, in this day and age, do people continue to be judged by their appearance? I, for one, do not have an answer.