fashion makes a statement

7/30/2019 Fashion Makes a Statement

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Maryori CondeJune 1, 2011

Period 2

Fashion Makes a Statement

Dont judge a book by its cover, said an Unknown person. This is

what everyone says and is taught, but no one really follows this. Everyone is

judged by their appearance, even animals, and books. In the young adult

science-fiction, Crime of Fashion, by Terri Clark it portrays how appearance

matters to society. Society values more whats on the outside than whats on

the inside.

The best argument for why appearance matters more is because of a

stylists job. An introduction to the section, Crime of Fashion, Terri Clark

cites a quote said by Peeta in Mockinjay. Never underestimate the power

of a brilliant stylist, (Clark 127). Peeta says this to Tigris while hes trying to

blend in with the Capitols residents.This shows that the Capitols society

will judge him based on how hes dressed. This society mirrors ones society,

because it shows how teenagers try to blend in with the image of perfection

society portrays to them through the media. Stylists are hired to dress

models, actors, and artists onto the latest trends. They do this for one to

have an idea on whats acceptable in society. In the same section it also

states a quote Coco Chanel one said. Dress shabbily and they remember

the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman, (128). In

other words this insinuates that what one wears has an impression on

people. Theres a reason why people choose to dress top notch when going


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to a party. Latinos, when rarely invited to a Caucasian party they try to

dress the best they can to blend in because if they dont they will be judged

and ignored. Stylists make an image of whats appropriate to wear in certain

occasions based on who youregoing to meet. Ones appearance matter

more because of the image of perfection stylists in society portray to them.

Other people may argue that how one dress expresses ones inner

self, but they are wrong because one prefers to dress professional or fancier

depending on many factors. In the chapter, Crime of Fashion,Clark uses

an example of how Katniss gets donors. look at me, remember me, root

for me, (Clark 131). This quote shows how one dress depending on how it

was could save Katnisss life. The person Katniss portrayed was not herself,

but a mere image of what society would like to see. She dressed depending

on the factor of what will help her live. One doesnt have to dress based on a

life or death timeline, but depending on who theyll meet. Another example

where this is seen is in the 1990 movie Pretty Woman. The protagonist,

Vivian isnt very rich, but goes to shop at a very expensive store in Beverly

Hills. When she enters the store and starts skimming through the clothes

she asks the worker, how much it was? The worker simply replied, Its

very expensiveI dont think we have anything for you.In other words the

employee at the store judged Vivian based on how she was dressed. How

she dressed expressed who she was, but the employee didnt care to view


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her side of the story, just sought out to judge her on her looks. Society does

this to draw a circle that will shut all those peo0ple who dont exceed to their

expectations out. Its okay to want to dress expressing who one is, but

depending on where one is at, our appearance will have to change.

The next big reason why society views more whats on the outside

than the inside is through first impressions. In Mr. Robinettes class they are

doing a group project where they interview someone. Mr. Robinette taught

them how to give a good first impression. He didnt teach them how to

sharpen their skills, but to sharpen their looks. He said, you know that

saying, Dont judge a book by its cover? Well, its a lie, This portrays that

to do an interview one has to dress appropriately, because theyll judge what

they see. A person whos interviewing someone wont judge them by their

skills, but by how they talk, look, greet and stand. By judging them through

that, they already know if to put them in the acceptance pile or the rejection

pile. First impressions are everything in this world. On a personal level, on

the first day of Summer Bridge at my High School, I dressed my best. I

wanted to give a good first impression to the teachers and the students. I

showed a little of me, but mostly I dressed according to what I thought

made me look smart, stylish, and approachable. This story proves how

students dress how they think theyll be accepted. My choice of wardrobe

helped me make friends fast, so this shows how appearance determines


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wholl approach one and what impression people have on one. First

impressions give people an idea of how one is if ones cool enough to be

their friend. First impressions matter because of appearance. Its what one is

showing to society.

Ones appearance matters to society more than ones inner being.

Stylists, society, and first impressions all prove my thesis because its true.

One dresses based on who theyll meet, where theyre going and what

theyre going to do. Society already chose what each type of wardrobe

means. By its very definition, fashion statement means our clothes speak

for us, (Clark 128). This is what Clark says in the chapter and summarizes

the thesis.


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Bibliography

Clark, Terri. Crime of Fashion. Dallas, Texas: BenBella Books, 2010

Conde, Maryori. Personal Story. June 1, 2011.

Pretty Woman. Dir. Garry Marshall. Perfs. Richard Gere, Julia Roberts,

Hector Elizondo. Film. Disney Studio President, March 23, 1990.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buena_Vista_Motion_Pictures_Grouphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buena_Vista_Motion_Pictures_Group

fashion makes a statement

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