The Fendi-toting, Polo-wearing students of SMU have time and time again been accused of being snobs, followers and too fashion conscious. Claims that these people who rip their styles from the latest fashion magazine are not individuals is not a totally unsubstantiated view. In fact, the Editorial Board does not think these people are trying to be individualistic in their dress. Not many of these brand-name wearers mind if their friend has the same shirt or accessory. However, those who are accusing others of being conformist need to take a good long look in the mirror.
In a Tuesday Daily Campus article about the indi-cool style, sophomore Byron Melton said the relaxed fashion trend allows for more individuality. “You don’t have to walk around with a group or act a certain way,” he said.
This is an ironic point, since people who dress in snap-button shirts, Birkenstocks and used-T-shirts are already a group unto themselves. Instead of conforming to the uptight and snobby stereotype, they are placing themselves in the counterculture, cookie-cutter mold of laid-back, jam-band listening anti-conformists. Thus, by wearing a certain type of clothing they have placed themselves in a group. A group that feels the need to accuse others of being lemmings and point out its own unique worth. Where’s the individuality in that?
The same article states that these independent styles can be found at stores like Urban Outfitters. Since when was Urban Outfitters off the beaten path? The last time we looked around campus, T-shirts with obscure slogans and bright-colored pumas were worn by many.
No matter what you may have heard, clothes don’t make the man (or woman). Yes, a person’s clothes do make a statement, but hopefully that’s not the only thing he has to say. But if you just judge by appearances, you may never know.
Maybe not everyone listens to jam bands or treats being laid back like it’s a religion, but why do these so-called individualists need to put down the rest of the SMU community with the epithet “conformist.” Many of the anti-conformists say that they believe in peace, love and harmony. Are those supposed to be unique ideals? Does putting down others who do not dress or act a certain way reside well with such philosophies? And if everyone’s putting down the conformists, isn’t that a conformist thing to do?
It’s easy to judge other people by what they wear or how much they’re like their friends. It’s a cliche to say that people come in all shapes and sizes, but it’s also true that business majors come in all sorts of attire.
And in fact, not judging other people might just be the most unique trait on campus.