Adornment

Historically, clothes were created as a way to protect oneself from the elements, but I'm sure expression came immediately afterwards. All through time, people have used hairstyles, jewelry, makeup, and especially clothing to communicate with other people. In earlier times I'm sure people defined their social status and career choices with their clothing, and they definitely still do so, with ridiculous and stupid results. I hate it that people judge each other by what they wear most of the time, but there is a good side to making snap judgments about people just based on what they're wearing. I'm talking about the fact that having freedom of expression through adornment allows me to announce my interests and beliefs to other people without saying a word.

When someone is wearing a shirt advertising my favorite band, it's okay for me to go up to them and announce that I share the interest and maybe make a cool acquaintance. When someone's carrying a backpack displaying one of my favorite Japanese animation characters, I might comment on it and invite them to stop by our Anime club. And even though I used to be afraid of wearing my pentacle necklace outside my shirt because I didn't want people to get the wrong idea, now I'm glad I wear it on the outside, because believe it or not, I get the occasional "Blessed Be!" from a similarly adorned person, and that's just a nice boost for my day.

This does not apply to brand names. I don't think wearing shirts emblazoned with "Adidas" or "GAP" are particularly expressive. I kinda wish the companies had kept their brand names on the tags like they used to, though maybe I'm a big hypocrite because I own an Adidas shirt. (I like the rainbowey colors, dammit! It was a hand-me-up from my sister!)

Sorry for the ramble. I just think clothes are a neat way to talk without using words. Thankyouverymuch.

COMMENTS:

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Comments from others:

Mikey: Indeed a real neat way to talk without using words. But it does seem that some people use them as status symbols to show money and attitude. Not just appreciation.

Setzer: Everyone knows that wearing mass-produced clothing with advertising slogans created by commitees of soulless corporate drones is how you express individuality.

Synesthesia: I mostly like wearing Dir en grey stuff as they are my favourite band and I NEVER thought I'd get to have a Dir en grey shirt. Now I have plenty from their shows and a nice wrist band I haven't lost yet.
I thought I'd have to go to JAPAN to see them and get one of their shirts.

Kayla S: Yes, I really hate the brand name pride people have. I ask my sister why she likes plain shirts with just a name pasted on them and all she can really say is 'It's nice, it lets people know you have money, junk like that." To me, it just lets me know that the person is preoccupied with how the world views them and wants to wear what other people think is nice. I mean...why not just get a shirt that is exactly the same color without the name on it? Most of the time the design on the shirt isn't even creative or cool or anything. I'd like someone's shirt to say something more than just 'I like this color and I like this brand because......I do,......." I guess it's their chose to have the brand on there and like it,but I'm wary about people who wear clothes that has a name on it. I guess I'm judging them before I really know them,though.

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