Trends, specifically fashion trends, affect students more than you may know. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t just change what you wear. The expense of clothing trends is great. Seeing as fashion is a constantly moving wave of styles, it become a great monetary burden. According to the article Individuality Trumps Trends, “Not only is the high-end fashion world only attainable for a small percentage of people, but also society still craves some sort of continuity in dress as a means of self-affirmation.” (Hoz) People tend to want to be like everyone else. Dressing similarly allows people to feel like part of a group and therefore arbitrarily confirms themselves in relation to their peers. This perceived need to feel included drives many lower income people to illegal acts such as shoplifting, because of the increasingly large monetary burden that fashion inflicts. According to Deborah Sullivan, “Most shoplifters used to dress a certain way and felt left out. They feel like they have to keep up with other kids. If they don’t have the money, they’ll shoplift.” (Sullivan) Morals are a complicated subject that means different things to different people. Often times a person’s morals include not stealing, and otherwise following the law. When the monetary expense of fashion is too much, people seek self-affirmation through means of shoplifting. The pressure put on students to fit in or dress and act like everyone else is extreme. Peer pressure pushes students to the limits, causing them to act drastically to fit in.
How exactly do these trends affect the way kids act? Trends push kids into forfeiting individuality not only in dress but also in manner. Fashion is often a way to express one’s personality externally. It is often considered a freedom and “By muting this freedom, the fashion world silences the creative minds behind those who look to express themselves with eccentric patterns or edgy shapes.” (Smouse). Original style allows people to show their personal beliefs, attitudes, and overall personality. When one attempts to look like someone else, they subconsciously push their own personality out in favor of a more popular one. This creates a new question. How does this subconscious personality change affect the actions of students? Author Mass Boston asks “Have we adopted the opinions or even the mannerisms of someone we consider prestigious or someone we admire?” (Boston). Though the answer is not quite clear, the loss of individuality can help to answer it for us. Trends tend to be, in one way or another, a form of mimicry. What does this mean? Mimicry is the action or art of copying someone else’s actions, and though usually it is meant to entertain or ridicule, it has gone much farther. The students in schools have falling into a whirlpool of mimicry. Students have begun to recreate, and copy actions and beliefs of their friends. It ranges from watching the shows they otherwise wouldn’t, to engaging in crimes that are against their beliefs and morals. Therefore, trends not only take from a person’s individual style, but also take from their individual personality and actions.
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