by Hannah Curtis

Created on: June 06, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2009

There are times when the choice of dress code can tell us a great deal about a person's character, present how they perceive themselves, show their fears, and taste in clothes and colour. It can send out messages to others, show what generation you are, and what profession you practice. However there are labels and generalisations attached to certain items of clothing, which provide superficial detail about a person that might not true to their real personality, but which acts as a protective screen.

Uniforms are generally straightforward in reflecting who you are professionally; police officers, surgeons, members of medical profession, school students, fire officers, and bankers/accountants can be identified by the style, cut and colour of uniform. The exception naturally is in cases of sexual role playing and when young children play dress up, imitating grown up professions.

The reflections on individuals based on college student dress codes are not usually as clear cut. There are stereo types attached to many items of clothing frequently worn by teenagers and young adults today. It was common when I was in secondary school and college for the 'macho' lads not to wear coats during winter. They walked to school through snow with scarves, gloves, hats on, but no coat. It can be only assumed that they had a point to prove to the world; they were tough, the cold did not concern them. It could also have been a point of peer pressure with some of the boys, wanting to be accepted by the leaders.

Clothes can provide a protective shield as a result of the labels attached to them. There is a culture on the street known as the 'hoodies', young lads wearing hoodie jumpers, with the hood pulled up, usually over a baseball cap. There is an extremely negative image connected with this dress code, there have been young men who have helped to create this label by beating up victims, vandalising, thieving etc. you see a group of these teens ahead of you, a sensible person crosses the road. However not every lad who dresses like this will be a thug, they may use it as a tough guy image, as a protection so they are left alone by others. Thus this format of clothing can be reflective of a malevolent character, or be a mode of survival, there being less chance of being bullied if you look like a bully. Gothic clothing can also be used as a protective screen; those of my acquaintance, who dress in this style, have been bullied in the past and have taken on this identity in order

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>