For many Ole Miss women, leggings, large t-shirts, running shoes and a good pair of Nike shorts are essential components of any wardrobe. If this is not the case, my eyes must deceive me on a daily basis.
Although I am not a woman, I feel that I have a decent understanding of why these articles of clothing have come together to create a distinct style: comfort and popularity, which seem to me quite innocent reasons for dressing any type of way.
To others, however, I’ve noticed that this outfit can mean something entirely different, such as a woman’s “lacking of a personality” or participating in “herd mentality.” I once heard a description of a “pack” of women identically dressed in “oversized t-shirts and Norts.” I’ve also heard guys say that they don’t want a woman like that, but that they’d rather date someone “with a personality.”
Even in 2015, sexism is jiving and thriving.
Just consider this idea: that a woman’s wardrobe directly reflects her personality, character or moral values. Also consider how our society perceives women who, for whatever reasons to which they’re entitled, choose not to wear makeup.
For example, how many of you have been asked if you’re sick just because you didn’t wear makeup one day?
It’s almost as if we automatically see a woman’s naked face as a symptom of some illness or manifestation of social deviance.
Everyone, including women, is entitled to how they choose to express themselves, and it’s not up to you, me or anyone else to judge them for their decisions on the matter.
Of course, certain styles of self-presentation are expected in specific contexts (ex: a job interview), but on a regular day, who cares how we present ourselves? Nobody should because how we dress ourselves is our business.
I mentioned earlier that, to some people, the outfit in question means not having a personality. However, I’d like to point out that we probably all have friends and enemies who don the same robes.
If you’re thinking about some of the people in your own life right now, why are those people your friends? Why do you dislike those other people?
I doubt it has anything to do with their clothes.
The idea that this style of dress reflects individual tendencies to “follow the crowd” also persists. While this may have some truth to it, I do challenge the idea that this should be viewed negatively.
Don’t we all follow some crowd or another? Are you a Republican, Democrat or Libertarian? Are you a Northerner or a Southerner? Are you a Rebel or a Bulldog?
We all identify ourselves in terms of the groups to which we belong, and it’s because we all want to fit in, be accepted and be a part of something bigger than our tiny selves on some level. These particular feelings may be most readily achieved through the medium of fashion for some and to me, that’s not a crime.
My challenge for you is this: stop assigning stereotypes to people, and in particular, women, according to how they dress.
It’s okay to notice someone’s level of professionalism or comfort, but it’s not okay to assume someone’s character or intelligence. So, let’s stop inappropriately criticizing women for what their various appearances may or may not mean to us, which has nothing to do with them as individuals. Instead, let’s celebrate and encourage their freedom of self-expression and ultimately do what we can to change society’s teachings and expectations of them.
Reid Black is a sophomore biochemistry and philosophy major from Pascagoula.
