Fitting In

The connection between clothing and identity is a prominent theme throughout this unit.  “Wings” by Macklemore really brings into question the importance that we place on clothing and material possessions in our society.  His video criticizes the consumerism that literally consumes people, especially young people.  His friend’s brother was murdered because of his shoes, and by the end of the song, Macklemore reflects on how his opinion of clothing changed.  He says that now he just sees his Nikes as another pair of shoes, but as a child he saw them as a part of who he was.  In “About Wings” Macklemore says that this was his intent when recording this song.  I think that this idea is really instilled in young kids in America.  The Spike Lee commercial, this idea is reiterated.  Despite Michael Jordan saying that his success does not stem from his shoes, they are the focus of the commercial.  At the very end, there is a disclaimer that says that Nike does not necessarily support the opinions of Michael Jordan.  This is a ploy to get people to buy their shoes.  They are equating success with shoes instead of with talent and hard work.  They want people, especially teenagers, to believe that buying a pair of Jordan’s can change their lives.  Merchants of Cool also examines how style and fashion are seen by kids.  The documentary’s main point is that younger generations are constantly looking for the “cool” trends.  These “cool hunters” look at how “cool” kids influence those around them.  Though the concept seemed odd to me, I think the idea that kids can be deemed “cool” based on their appearance is very prominent in our culture.  There is a common perception in middle and high schools that what you wear and how you look determines how cool you are or what group you fit into.  In the Abercrombie and Fitch video and article, the founder of the company states that he does not want homeless people or larger women wearing his clothes because the company’s main consumer base is the “cool kids.”  Again, the idea that “coolness” is directly correlated with clothing is the main focus of this text.  Personally, I loved that that guy found all of the A&F clothing and gave it to homeless people; I think that his message is great.  Clothing should not define who we are as a person or as a society. There should be no rules about who should be able to wear what because clothing really is just clothing.  I feel like somewhat of a hypocrite saying that because I do enjoy clothes to an extent, but I have never been obsessive or let what I wear determine how I feel about myself as a person. “The Jacket” tells the story of a young boy who allows one guacamole-colored jacked to dictate his attitude and outlook on life.  He blames the jacket for all of his failures and missed opportunities, when in reality, he just has a bad attitude.  However, the message in this story is clear: the connection between clothing and identity is a powerful one.  Even the simple, light-hearted “What’s Your Street Style?” quiz sends a similar message.  It says, “You are what you wear!” in the description, reinforcing this idea that our clothing is intertwined with our identity as a person.  Though what you wear should never dictate who somebody is or will become, it is a common belief in kids and young adults.  I think that clothing can be used as a way of self-expression or a way to present an image of ones’ self, but it should not have the power to control if somebody is “cool” or “uncool.”  I know that I have been guilty of judging people by what they wear, and I think that many people do.  For example, if somebody shows up to an interview in slacks, a blouse, and a blazer I will probably assume that they are more professional than somebody who shows up in sweat pants and a sweatshirt.  However, I think that the type of judging that needs to be eliminated is the kind that many of us remember from our middle and high school years; the kind that causes kids to be self-conscious just because their jeans are from Walmart instead of Nordstrom.  I don’t want kids to believe that what they wear defines who they are or who they can become.