The other day I shared with my readers why I bought designer
items. As I was thinking about what caused me to buy something, I stumbled upon
the idea that I buy things based on my friend’s opinions and what they buy/wear
as well. I think of it as peer pressure for clothing! Research shows that the
way we dress influences the way that others perceive us. It also shows that
subtle changes in wardrobe can drastically change negative impressions.
Depending on a specific group that you belong to, it can
influence your decision on what to wear. This goes hand in hand with the idea
that all college sorority girls wear t-shirts, nike shorts, and running shoes
(which we do). I like to think of it as a rite of passage. Having older friends
and siblings, I knew that when I would rush in college that I would be allowed to wear the typical t-shirt
and nike shorts outfit, compared to high school where I would wear dresses to
school everyday.
Your group causes you to feel like you belong to something,
therefore, it is more likely that you will dress the same way as everyone else
in an attempt to fit in. Your friends are going to influence what you wear, how
you wear it, and when you wear it. I could go out and buy a dress and love it,
but if my friend tells me that she isn’t too fond of it then I will probably
never wear it.
Why do we do this? Why do we prefer to fit into a group rather than stand out from
it? There are so many cheesy quotes on pinterest about standing out, yet no one
tends to go in that direction. I would prefer to stand out, however,
occasionally the convenience keeps me from doing so.
For example, I don’t always prefer leggings and a large
t-shirt as opposed to a sweater and a cute pair of jeans and possibly some
accessories, but it’s easier to throw on last minute if I am running late and
it is also comfier compared to an actual outfit. Convenience is key whenever
you are young and in college.
There’s a difference in standing out and personal style. When
people think of someone “standing out” they’re probably thinking of it
negatively. I mean it as avoiding the typical, “cookie cutter” look. Adding in
some of your personal style to an outfit can make a world of a difference and
help you stand out in a positive way.
I encourage you to be yourself! Try and stand apart from the
stereotypical crowd, including your friends. There are easy ways to be
different, without stepping completely out of your comfort zone. Here are some
of my simple tips to stand out from the stereotype:
- Start by dressing nice for class once a week,
baby steps! You would be surprised how much better you feel. Just like the
saying “dress well, test well!”
- Wear a statement necklace with your t-shirt and
leggings (if you have to wear a
t-shirt and leggings) that way you look more put together
- Two words: printed leggings. There are so many
different patterns in leggings now that you could own a pair to match every
single t-shirt that you own!
- Fix your hair and make-up in the morning so that
you don’t look like you rolled out of bed and went to class while running late
- Cute shorts or pants can be an easy go-to to help look put together, without spending much time on your outfit
Basically I think that you should put a little more thought and effort into your daily outfit if you want to avoid the stereotype! Try to be as unpredictable as possible. What tips do you have to avoid looking like a walking stereotype everyday?
*References*
Sinclair,
John. "The Psychology Behind Designer Handbags." Jerry’s Journal.
(2013): N.p. Web. 24 Nov.
2013.
Mikheeva,
Yana. "Psychology of Clothing." Ezine Articles. 2013. N.p.
Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
Klosowski,
Thorin. "The Psychology Behind How Clothing Influences How People See You At Work." Lifehacker.
2013. N.p. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.
