Every so often, I take a look at my bleak collection of clothes and realize it’s time to hit the shops.

I shuffle through old T-shirts and worn out jeans and decide what’s got to go and what I can hold on to just a little while longer. Every time I go through this annual ritual I debate whether or not the wardrobe update is my decision or that of a mainstream culture. Do I want new clothes because I like the styles? Have I been taught to like the styles because of peer pressure or media driven advertising? Who says I have to get rid of old clothes anyway? Who decides what’s in and what’s out? Can’t I just wear what I want?

The answer to that last question is yes. We live in a country where you can wear just about anything you want. Granted, you’ll have to cover up a bit. However, we live in a society that allows an enormous amount of freedom in the choice of clothing. There is no law that forces women to cover their hair or dress moderately. The reality is quite the contrary. Women can take the liberty to cover up or not cover up as much as they want, with little restriction. Let’s think, though. Aren’t the women who wear as-little-as-possible and those covered from head to toe still adhering to some sort of coercion, however slight it may be? That’s something I’d like to explore.

The liberty to choose our style of fashion is incredible; but are we really the ones in control? The debate over free will is still going on today. I can’t tell you the definitive answer on whether we have it or not, but I can tell you what I think.

Regarding our tastes in clothing, art and other areas where we have the liberty to ‘choose’ what we consider desirable, I would argue that decision is based more on your what we see and what others wear than a unique sense of self (which I think we all have and should value).

The media bombards us all with images of what we ‘should’ look like. It knows no bounds; they encourage us to buy products, loose weight, and go out and spend money with our friends. It is all part of the marketing scheme to get us out and contribute our share to the national economy. I get it; but I also think it is important to watch and limit the amount and become conscious of what we’re buying into.

Generally, SMU girls are very good at obeying the laws of fashion. Ugg boots are in; get ’em! Bleach blond hair is hot, do it! Tans make you beautiful; I’ll be fake-baking before sundown! I am not arguing that SMU girls do not have personalities or possess their own uniqueness; they do. Every human being is different and therefore special; period. Some simply follow societal norms and media suggestion more than others.

Let me ask the question; Is it possible that millions of women around the globe bleach their hair because they have an innate sense that it is beautiful? Could it be that the media broadcasts this image to the world and tell these women that bleach blond hair makes you more desirable? Have you seen the playboy bunnies on ‘The Girls Next Door?’ It’s a question to ponder.

The same goes for designer handbags. Just because Fendi made it doesn’t mean you should go out and buy it, or does it? Sometimes I wonder if designers come up with products that are completely random and see if the public will follow.

A perfect example of random adherence to a fad or fashion is the trucker hat. Remember? Ashton Kutcher is probably the sole source of this Hollywood craze. This all began when the paparazzi caught Ashton wearing very low-end trucker hats around Hollywood. Everywhere he went, he’d have a trucker hat on. It caught on and spread like wild fire. Men and women were wearing trucker hats; celebrities and non-celebrities alike. Then, like all fads, it died away. What does this story tell us? In my opinion, people follow.

Not everyone, mind you, is a fashion subordinate. There are those out there that start the styles we swear by. There are those that are official fashion royalty like the editor and chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour. If she doesn’t ring a bell, she inspired Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada. Then, there are those celebrities that start trends by simply doing them once in public. Britney, Paris and Lindsay are notorious for starting the ‘crotch-flash’ fad. Who would have thought that would catch on? Not me, but it just goes to show people follow even the most ridiculous fads.

Part of it is being part of ‘what’s hot.’ People like to be current and with the times. I’ll admit that I keep track of what’s in and what’s out. However, there is something to be said for having your own unique style. That is something I’m trying to find. What style is uniquely me? Sometimes it just takes being creative. Madonna used to tear up old T-shirts and tie them in her hair. Be bold; try something no one else has done before. Who knows, you may end up starting a fashion trend of your own…

Brent Paxton is a senior international relations and political science double major. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].