2008 Woodie Awards
Clothing culture clash creates divide
Guilford students present themselves and their values via different fashions
Deena Zaru
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 3 next >
"Clothes reflect our values. They're a choice," said first-year Martha Orhai. "There are things we can choose about our body, but the simplest way to express how we want to be seen and who we are is through clothes."
Juniors Morgan Chick and Katie Martinko are excellent candidates for the Facebook group, "I Don't Look Like I Go to Guilford … But I do," while Orhai is an equally apt candidate for "I Actually do Look Like I Go to Guilford …A**holes," but Orhai does not have a Facebook account. Even on Facebook, there is a distinct divide between social groups at Guilford.
"The way people dress creates groups at Guilford, because people who care about their appearance tend to hang out with people who care about the same things," said Chick. "Fashion is important to me because, even though this might not be as true at Guilford, people judge you by your appearance in the outside world. You are not going to get a job if you don't look presentable."
"It's so true that birds of a feather flock together," said Orhai. "By choosing certain clothes it's like we get to choose the kinds of feathers we want to wear, so we can find people who are similar to us."
"At Guilford I'm probably perceived as unintelligent and superficial because I'm more concentrated on my appearance," said Chick. "Some people think that I don't care about other things like academics or world issues."
Martinko agrees and says that she feels a sense of alienation at Guilford because of how she dresses.
"I feel like I'm a little bit removed from the Guilford community," said Martinko. "Some people think that because I dress the way I do, I'm a snob."
Chick and Martinko look both sophisticated and glamorous with their distinctly preppy and "girly" styles.
Chick is often dressed in polo shirts, high heels, and her curly blonde hair is always in a perfect state. She never misses a manicure appointment, and her favorite stores are Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
Juniors Morgan Chick and Katie Martinko are excellent candidates for the Facebook group, "I Don't Look Like I Go to Guilford … But I do," while Orhai is an equally apt candidate for "I Actually do Look Like I Go to Guilford …A**holes," but Orhai does not have a Facebook account. Even on Facebook, there is a distinct divide between social groups at Guilford.
"The way people dress creates groups at Guilford, because people who care about their appearance tend to hang out with people who care about the same things," said Chick. "Fashion is important to me because, even though this might not be as true at Guilford, people judge you by your appearance in the outside world. You are not going to get a job if you don't look presentable."
"It's so true that birds of a feather flock together," said Orhai. "By choosing certain clothes it's like we get to choose the kinds of feathers we want to wear, so we can find people who are similar to us."
"At Guilford I'm probably perceived as unintelligent and superficial because I'm more concentrated on my appearance," said Chick. "Some people think that I don't care about other things like academics or world issues."
Martinko agrees and says that she feels a sense of alienation at Guilford because of how she dresses.
"I feel like I'm a little bit removed from the Guilford community," said Martinko. "Some people think that because I dress the way I do, I'm a snob."
Chick and Martinko look both sophisticated and glamorous with their distinctly preppy and "girly" styles.
Chick is often dressed in polo shirts, high heels, and her curly blonde hair is always in a perfect state. She never misses a manicure appointment, and her favorite stores are Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Beth Tyson
posted 4/20/07 @ 10:50 AM EST
I think Orhai has her sources mixed up. By purchasing clothes from thrift shops one is still supporting inhumane labour, just second hand. I shop at thrift stores and nordstrom, I wear preppy and hippie clothing, I dress upscale and also can be seen wearing sweats. (Continued…)
Josh
posted 4/20/07 @ 11:09 AM EST
Was this sparked by the story written about A&T students not looking like we go to A&T in contrast of the UNCG situation that happened a couple of weeks ago?
Also, the writer might want to make sure that quotes don't write the story for them. (Continued…)
Vera
posted 4/21/07 @ 10:24 AM EST
Shopping is our national pasttime in the United States, and while many of us at Guilford (or alums like myself) were raised within that culture, some choose to reject it as a way of life. (Continued…)
sara
posted 4/23/07 @ 2:00 PM EST
If we could all just be as poor - social justice! - as our brothern in third world nations, everything would be ideal...wait a minute! Why are all the third worlders immigrating to the US? Now I am confused! But I have no courage, since I am asking a politically incorrect question here. (Continued…)
Post a Comment