As the school year started back up again, and parties made their way back into Saturday nights, I was reminded of the fact that there’s a lack of character in current fashion. Going out to a party, I see the standard uniform — a black, plain top with no frills, with straight leg jeans and Nike Air Forces. And this isn’t to say that these outfits are bad in any way, but the lack of variety is, for lack of a better word, boring. Where are the party outfits of the early 2000s, where there were sparkles and heels a-plenty? I think it boils down to the fact that people are scared to stick out from the crowd. It’s easy to want to blend in and wear what everyone else is wearing, but wouldn’t it be more fun to dress differently than everyone else?
I’ve always been drawn to the uniqueness of early 2000s fashion. The low-rise flared jeans, the sequin halter tops, and the chunky jewelry – everything about it is like a goldmine in my eyes. And the clothing’s quality was better, too. I know I can buy a top from that time and it will last another 20 years in my closet and still keep the same quality. But even when companies try to recreate that same feel and aesthetic now, it feels like a cold and cheap mimic of the original. And really, this all reflects how in the current time and day, everything feels so bland and dreary. So, it makes sense that our clothing would reflect that.
I asked my sister, who goes to a college not far from Ursinus, what she thought of today’s clothing style, and we reached the same consensus: “It feels like everyone is trying to fit in. No one wants to stand out and look different, so they just go with the flow.” I’m not saying that everyone needs to be completely unique in what they wear, but if someone chooses to wear these basic outfits just to fit in with their friends, then I think that brings up the larger issue of conformity. While the change I would love to see would never happen overnight, I think incorporating some of these trends would make a difference in breaking this conformity.