Clothing and How it relates to Culture!?

Last weekend I shopped at the goodwill store in the city. I didn't find anything interesting besides this funky graphic T-shirt. I walked around the store, observing people without staring at them, because that would be weird. As I walked around I noticed what kinds of clothing people picked out. I don't like to stereotype, but I did notice how people from different ethnic backgrounds differ when it comes to fashion styles. I noticed a Black woman buy these acid washed jeans and these gaudy bohemian necklaces. It was loud and dramatic. At first glance, it seemed like the colors she chose didn't go together, but after a second glance, I realized it worked and she would look good wearing it. She was very expressive as she spoke, and when she asked employees for help, her questions were very direct. I noticed a White women buy cigarette jeans and a flashy winter coat. It was simplistic, but it was still very chic. She seemed very reserved. She didn’t have much to say except, “thank you and have nice day,” to the cashier as they handed her the items she just purchased. Lastly, I noticed an Asian guy buy some urban attire. He was rocking his head back and forth with headphones in his ear, listening to P. Diddy’s Hip hop song “Hello, Good morning.” It seemed like he was completely oblivious to everyone around him. All three of them had very distinct styles and ways of expressing themselves. Now maybe race has absolutely nothing to do with fashion and how it relates to culture, since we all are inspired by each other. But, can fashion be used to identify subcultures? Furthermore, is it true that you are what you wear?

When you walk down the street or are out in public, what kind of attention are you attracting? Do people smile, stare, point at you and laugh, look away, or simply ignore you altogether? Like it or not, people judge a book by its cover. While it may not seem fair that people develop an immediate impression of who you are simply by the clothes you wear, it’s still true that your clothes tell a story about your personality and how you are likely to be perceived by others. Fashion is defined as manner, or the way in which something is done or how it happens. It is also used in the context of a practice that is characteristic of someone or one that becomes an instinctive habit with that person. It is the latest and most admired, as well as accepted, in such a way that it catches on and becomes a trend, in clothes and cosmetics. Fashion depends to a large extent upon the attitude and behavior of a person.

When someone wears huge Bifocals, a pair of khaki pants and a wrinkled white collared shirt, our minds automatically think “Geek.” We think of the “Geek” who is weird looking, super smart, and talks funny. But is it very interesting that “Geek “has become it’s own distinct subculture and a trend? The fashion world suggests that this style kind of combines well with the resurgence of big chunky knitwear. When the fashion world says “Geek,” they don’t mean it in the traditional sense of the word. The look is Geek Chic now, meaning to dress up with beautiful formal suits, shirts, plaid coats, waistcoats, and chunky and outlandish knitwear. Then, adding along with those key clothing pieces “Geek” items like suspenders, bow-ties, and fanny-packs. Oh Yea, now it’s fashionable! Geek was once a weird thing, but now it’s cool. Are clothes indicators of the kind of people we are? On the contrary, how can that be true? Since society is constantly redefining those indicators. How do we unpack this topic more clearly, because I don’t have a clue?