[Fashion] The fashion stereotypes

Joulo Visabella

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

As a post-Philippine Fashion Week story, former RAPPLER intern Joulo Visabella blogs about fashion stereotypes based on what he observed in his school. Could the same apply to the crowd he mingled with in Fashion Week?

PEOPLE WE ADMIRE. The true fashionista is one who has natural style though imperfect. We can always tell if one is trying too hard. This girl definitely is not. Photo by Joseph Angan

MANILA, Philippines – The year 2005 in Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro) was the year when the administration implemented the wearing uniforms on campus.

Luckily for the vogue mob and to the disappointment of the sartorially apathetic, the school spared Wednesdays as wash day (locally known as “fashion day”).

Style has always been one of the key factors of a good first impression. It is, they say, what speaks out about our personality the most.

Let me share about the common fashion stereotypes I have observed in our campus on “fabulous” Wednesdays:

The lookbook pack 

Clad in the season’s latest trends and sunglasses firmly placed on the head — ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a campus catwalk showdown! These clotheshorses proudly sashay around the school smelling like expensive perfume tinged with a faint burnt smell of daddy’s credit card. Usually polished in well-coordinated clothes, they’re always ready to take those vain photographs to post on their fashion blogs, Facebook profiles and, well, Lookbook. 

The heat snobs 

Conservative or just extremely resistant to humidity? Irritatingly looking disheveled and unshowered? Heat snobs surely burn the campus even more during lunch breaks, parading in their favorite clothing choice of a sweater or, worse, the leather jacket. Just imagine how they must feel under those clothes. Some students find them annoying. I think they might just be hiding gangly arms.

Mister musculado 

When God created man, we imagine He did so with Adonis-like features: handsome, chiseled and muscular, much like Michaelangelo’s David. In the real world, men have evolved from being Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus. Blame fast food and carbonated drinks for that. But thanks to the pressures of chick flicks’ leading men, this generation’s men have re-evaluated themselves and embraced their metrosexuality. A student says these are the type of boys that make school more “bearable.” Very well said.

Jejemon forever and ever and ever and ever… 

The inevitable and dying youth trend of 2010 has no signs of dropping its “budots” culture, migraine-inducing neon palette and checkered trucker caps — and don’t forget the heavily-padded ankle-high rubber shoes. Never mind Justin Bieber, but the jejemons gained popularity early last year and have not fazed despite mass criticism and disgust. A student remarks, “It makes me feel good (to see) that there are actually people who have the energy to don heavy shoes and wear a cap in an uncomfortably loose manner.”

The typical “bitch” 

“I’m terrified of those girls,” moans a female student. Who wouldn’t be? With their confidence complimented by highlighted hair, heavy make up, the occasional gray or blue contact lenses and vertiginous heels, these girls are the “Mean Girls” brought to life. Regina George, anyone? No? Okay, how about Cruella De Ville? Not again? Alright, Clara from Mara Clara? Seriously, though, these are just harsh misconceptions, according to a “Mean Girl.” “I just laugh when people say that we’re bitches. We’re not,” she says. “Colored hair and makeup are meant to enhance beauty, not to scare people away.”

Kaleidoscopic indies 

These are individuals who like to stand out bedecked in every color imaginable straight out of a Crayola box (make that the 24-color set). This means a magenta shirt, green pants, yellow shoes and black leather handbag for girls. There’s no need for “matchy-matchy” because, according to the fashion experts, it’s a thing of the past. These people, well, they just put on more effort to follow that advice than the rest of the stereotypes in this article. One student calles them “walking fruit baskets.” We prefer “psychedelic.”

“My Chemical Romance” 

While their population may be scarce, they still deserve to be on this list for being able to pull off raccoon eyes, multiple piercings and heavy layers of black pieces. The effort to saunter in boots or metal gilded footwear is an amazing feat for the average walking capacity. And the make up probably isn’t an issue for them since there’s a lot of coal saved up from last night’s barbecue. “The first thing people assume about us is that we belong in a band,” confesses one of them goths. “But some of us just like to stick to one color scheme and rock it.” 

The gangstas 

African American “homies” have had such an authentic impact to the world that they have influenced language, music preference and even style of our local schoolmates. They could be insanely rapping to Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now,” wielding skateboards or just looking like a cool Bronx native from the block. But their standard look requires oversized Nick Automatic shirts, low-rise jeans that reveal boxers, dope kicks and the occasional gold or silver bling-bling. 

Plains, no prints 

The somewhat boring and cliché dressers, normally associated with nerds (but nerds are getting cool now thanks to “The Big Bang Theory”). These people firmly believe that simplicity is most definitely beauty are clad in plain tees (in every color!) and jeans. “I’d like to think we focus more on our studies than on looking good,” says on of them. Alright, respect. Less is more.

Fashion pariahs 

These people forgot to invite us on their wedding when they decided to marry the night (ahem, Lady Gaga) because they prefer to get dressed in the dark. Mismatched proportions, clashing colors, over-the-top accessories and — wait a minute — is that winterwear? Oh honey, no. We hope when they read this blog, maybe they’ll take a hint and improve.

That these stereotypes I’ve listed are not meant to, well, stereotype; they help us realize even more that style that is a mere expression of what we are. The important thing is to look decent and to allow our style to speak for our personality and beliefs. – Rappler.com

Fashion is all about self expression, but showing your personality need not be expensive. Get good deals and discounts by shopping here.  

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