I am a fashion enthusiast, a religious watcher of all things fashionable and a devoted fan of those demonstrating good taste. For the past year and a half my mundane dorm walls have been covered with my favorite spreads, editorials, advertisement campaigns and inspirations. Each year I’ve found that I have something in common with the students I share my space with: a knack for the exclusive. I’m sure it has become very clear to those who attend that no matter your interests, extracurricular activities or majors, students of the AUC want what no other student has, has seen or for that matter, even knows exists. And with a community that is so focused on fashion, model castings, runways and pageants, can you blame us?

It seems that in recent years, young adults have developed a more competitive nature when it comes to their style, how they present themselves and how others view them. In an already competitive time in their lives, trying to get the grades, build their resumes and score that internship at Goldman Sachs, feeling the need to do it all and do it better than your peers is present now more than ever and it seems that what’s in your closet only ups the ante.

Sophomore Jashalynn German says, “ Everybody wants to be a trendsetter and stand out from the crowd so if you have that nice piece of clothing it makes you feel like you’re affecting how others dress. It’s a competition”. The self-inflicted pressure students have to create and carry out an image only adds to the stress young men and women in college feel on top of their academics.

So why is there the pressure to obtain and maintain certain standards of style? The music industry, Hollywood, sports and even job markets that produce wealthy individuals are all just a few areas that send the message to those just out of or still in their teens that to have such extravagant items means you’ve obtained a certain status. And in a time when our country is facing an economic crisis, being able to maintain your place and remain un-phased by the US’ horrific financial standing somehow upgrades you to a whole new level.

So why are students craving exclusive, one of a kind, nobody-else-has-it or nobody-else-can-afford-it items? Sophomore Blaire Smith says, “ Because those exclusive pieces help you define your style and who you are. A lot of it has to do with how others view you and if those pieces help you stand out. Everybody here is here to be different so those things help you achieve that.”

Along with the influence from other areas, students are also influenced by each other. If a student sees another wearing something that’s of limited release, one of a kind or has the usual characteristics of something that might have a large price tag, it grabs their attention and makes them crave that same item or something better. No one wants to feel less than or out of the loop so to fill that void student’s are overcompensating, and often times overspending, to be apart of their desired 'in crowd'. In a college-setting, the competition seems to carry over into what one wears as a means of defining themselves in a sea of what can at times seem like clones. And if it’s true that your image represents you and who you are, it’s only natural that everybody would want to be represented well.

It’s fashions survival of the fittest—where do you stand?

Published: October 8, 2008 12:22 PM