[Amber-Nicole]

Black cargo pants are sooo secksy on young guys trying to look sort of punkish.

[Heccubus]

I can honestly say that I like clothes. I like to think that I have relatively good fashion sense. For a relatively plain-looking punk type who wears a lot of black, at any rate. Scouring thrift stores for a pair of pants or a shirt is fun to me. I worry about my hair sometimes, I check myself before I leave the house to make sure the bandana that I wear around my arm is straight, my pants aren't riding funny, and things like that. I don't think that makes me any less unique than the next person. I also think that just because I like to dress a certain way, that happens to resemble the way lots of other people dress, that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm not an individual. Individuality isn't something that you can judge by one's appearance, it's a state of mind. If some kid walking down the street in cargo pants and a Slipknot shirt thinks that he's an individual, then he is in his own mind, and that's all that matters to him. How much of an individual are you if you put so much emphasis on other people's individuality?

[Laura]

How much of an individual are you if you put so much emphasis on other people's individuality?

I'd say "Not enough information to answer that question." You don't have to be oblivious to others to be a non-conformist.

I like clothes too!

[Jen]

So I am saving all my beloved narrow-legged high-waisted jeans which make me look like an eighty’s throwback among my mates at the college. I am sure the fashion will come back.

Will come back in spades, actually -- the fashion magazines in the US have been promoting the imminent return of the 80s style high-waisted jean (and all high waisted pants) for the past few seasons. I've seen a few celebrities in the look, but it hasn't really caught on.

Yet.

[WalrusOfPlastic]

Though it's mostly been said by now I'll say it anyway.

Number one: There are a number of large differences between caring what others think and worrying about what others think. Caring about anything is not destrucive at all. Caring is ultimately linked to awareness. Saying that one cares not about something means they choose to remain ignorant on that subject (which is a perfectly legit choice). The act of caring is only positive.
Worrying on the other hand gets one stuck in ruts, is completely pointless and causes cancer (probably).

Number two: Although I sort of agree with you Laura in that we have been subjected to loads of "be yourself" campaigns after our favorite Saturday morning t.v. shows and I am grateful for that, I must point out that the other day I was helping switch clothing lines to the holiday themes at the American Eagle my room mate works at and I noticed an incredible similarity between the advertisement posters there and Communist China's "Cultural Revolution" propaganda posters. Though in most senses I appreciate that this aim for conformity is not being prduced by the government directly it is a result of being home to a good number of gigantic corporations. It's totally logical that a company, for instance American Eagle, would desire to present an image to the public and declare it a "better" image than how you currently appear. American Eagle conformity would get them a hell of a lot of business. My point is, it's a similar situation as Communist China only a more subtle (though not very) approach, and for different reasons (sort of, but I won't get into that).

[Laura]

But there's a big difference between government mandated "this is how you should be," and the same message from advertisers. The government can punish you if you don't do what they want. Whereas if you don't do what advertisers want (buy their stuff), they lose, not you.

Also: I hate high waisted pants. I admit I wore lose-rise jeans when they were in style (though not with belly shirts), but I can't see myself wearing higher-than-normal-waisted pants. They're just made all wrong. If they fit my waist, they billow around my ass, and if they fit my ass, they pinch my waist.

Looks like I'll be going back to the men's department for my jeans.

This post has been edited by Laura: 04 November 2004 - 03:25 PM

[WalrusOfPlastic]

True. It's way different in some senses. But it isn't none existant. And though I do prefere this mode to that of mandated government such and such it does have subtle brainwashing techiniques to it that really mess with the American masses and that makes me sad.

[Madam Corvax]

Will come back in spades, actually -- the fashion magazines in the US have been promoting the imminent return of the 80s style high-waisted jean (and all high waisted pants) for the past few seasons. I've seen a few celebrities in the look, but it hasn't really caught on.

Yet.

Thanks Jen. So I've heard myself, but as you say, it hasn't yet caugh on. Maybe I should start wearing them just to increase their chances???

Also: I hate high waisted pants. I admit I wore lose-rise jeans when they were in style (though not with belly shirts), but I can't see myself wearing higher-than-normal-waisted pants. They're just made all wrong. If they fit my waist, they billow around my ass, and if they fit my ass, they pinch my waist.

Laura, all these things you say about them are true. But the low-waist flared leg variety look awful on me.. thighs like Bologna sausages ...at least, that's what I think.

I guess it is the matter of when your taste was developed - in my case, I was a teenager in the eighties and then bell bottoms were just a big no-no. Just like ABBA.. Abba in mid-eighties was about as uncool as you can imagine.. And now suddenly they are the height of fashion... strange...

[SimeSublime]

No, ABBA are still uncool. They are only found cool by 10 year old girls, and the people who thought they were cool when they were first around.

[Dragonspawn]

No, ABBA are still uncool. They are only found cool by 10 year old girls, and the people who thought they were cool when they were first around.

AAAAAAAAAAAGH ABBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the simple mention of abba makes me wanna run away and cover my ears.....

[Jen]

Okay, I was not even a glimmer in my non-ABBA appreciating parents' eyes when ABBA first hit it big, and I think they made amazing music. AMAZING.

And, Madam Corvax, just hold on to those pants. They will come back in! Everything does, in good time. And I say wear 'em if you've got 'em -- once you find a style of jeans you find both flattering and comfortable, you have got to take it and run far and wild.

[Madam Corvax]

Well, I thought ABBA was very much in some years ago. There was this flick Muriel's Wedding which was all the rage among my friends.

I am of two minds concerning ABBA myself, but I do not trust my judgement in these matter any longer, since I found out that I actually like Depeche Mode. Now, that is really uncool, I think, just about as much as my jeans, which I will definitely keep, thanks Jen .

[Jen]

Au contraire! Depeche Mode is very cool. Not my favorite flavor, but I think the cogniscenti gives them the thumbs up -- besides, as is the theme of the thread, cool is what you like!

(Hums "Personal Jesus.")

[Jordan]

Personal Jesus, Enjoy the silence, Policy of Truth..etc

Depeche Mode rock the boat!

[Chyld]

Haven't heard much Depeche Mode (supposed to be good, I hear), but it's all about the old-school Micheal Jackson. Y'know, before he turned white and started to mutate into an alien, he actually wrote some damn good songs.