Dress to Express

[Cbug]

Do you choose your clothing in order to express who you are inside? Do you think it is even possible to communicate your personality through the clothing you wear? What is the symbolic value of different styles or items of clothing?

I've never done this myself, but I find it interesting that some people do. I wonder whether other people interpret the message correctly.

[jyng1]

LOL, I thought this was a thread about nursing mothers.

[Harion]

lol, i dress based on functionality, comfortability, and appropriatness of the clothes based on the occasion. though sometimes i break custom just because i'd rather be more comfortable.

[Cbug]

LOL, I thought this was a thread about nursing mothers.

:p

[Daaf]

I dress to the occasion far more than to who I am..Not that it has yielded any positive results....

[ghost]

I dress to kill. Dark colours to blend in. Comfortable, flexible materials that produce little friction to reduce noise and maximise movement. Reinforced in high stress areas.

[stuck]

My clothes are a fabric dam to keep the flood of my manhood from annihilating the world.

[md5fungi]

I just wear clothes that are comfortable that look relatively plain. The only thing I'm expressing is the desire not to share my genatalia with the world.

edit: Oh, I guess stuck at booze already said that.

[mastero]

Do you choose your clothing in order to express who you are inside?

I thought everyone did this. You are saying something about your personality by not doing it / claiming that you don't.


Do you think it is even possible to communicate your personality through the clothing you wear?

Yes.


What is the symbolic value of different styles or items of clothing?

Are you saying that you cannot, through clothing, tell any difference between jocks, preps, goths, rockers, punkers, skaters, hip-hopers, rich people, poor people, brats, sluts, feminazis, animal-lovers, bohemes, etc.?

If you can, are you claiming that personality is unrelated to these sub-cultures / attitudes / social classes / political opinions, etc. ?

[weebolj]

(1) Do you choose your clothing in order to express who you are inside? (2) Do you think it is even possible to communicate your personality through the clothing you wear? (3) What is the symbolic value of different styles or items of clothing?

I've never done this myself, but I find it interesting that some people do. I wonder whether other people interpret the message correctly.
1. Yes to a degree. 2. Again, yes to a degree. 3. Identifying oneself (partly) through groups which use the same symbols and which one sees as holding same values.

I don't think I've ever belonged to any homogenic group, but I at least think my clothing communicates a liking to cultures of metalheads, artsy-fartsies, hippies and stoners, depending on the day. In the course of two years, I've bought (or received) two pieces of clothing, so this is no active pursuit.

[ciphersort]

I dress for the occasion which is usually sitting around my house so I dress like a bum... jeans, flip flops, barefoot, t-shirts... At work I wear whatever I can get away with after I have been around for a month or so. Shoes and boots is an area where I don't fuck around and although I only have about 8 pair at any one time they are all nice. I dress best when going out to clubs or for a nice dinner. As far as expressing myself I would say I only do that when in bum mode (offensive, bands, nerd, coder, *nix t-shirts etc...).

[pan_sonic_000]

I used to be more into personal style and self-expression through clothing, etc. because I was marketing myself for women.

Now I realize that inner qualities like strength and courage and deliberateness are conveyed much better if there's no obvious external "prop" to support them. No perfectly groomed facial hair to show off facial features, rings with skulls on them, messy hair style made with wax and hairdryers or whatever the fuck. This, btw, is why most metrosexual guys have it wrong. They think they can create and subsequently convey those qualities merely by superficially building them on the outside. In the absence of inner strength and confidence, they make up for it by creating the illusion of it through perfect appearances. But women aren't that stupid. They aren't going assume you actually have some balls just because you put on a costume that says you do.

Anyway, these days I'm pretty utilitarian with clothes. I have a few pairs of dirty combat boots, nice jeans and fitted shirts / t-shirts. Other than that and basic hygiene, I don't concern myself with much else and women seem to appreciate it a lot more.

[ciphersort]

Anyway, these days I'm pretty utilitarian with clothes. I have a few pairs of dirty combat boots, nice jeans and fitted shirts / t-shirts. Other than that and basic hygiene, I don't concern myself with much else and women seem to appreciate it a lot more.

What were you wearing before? Just curious

I have never been a jewelry person... a watch, maybe if I need to have the time in front of my face (which is rare these days).

[pan_sonic_000]

What were you wearing before? Just curious



Lots of half-ruined leather jackets and pea coats, rings, dyed black hair, expensive shirts from Zara / Banana Republic with half the buttons undone, heavy leather bracelets, necklaces made out of chain, rock star pants. Shit like that.

[fripping]

i wear plain t-shirts and jeans in order to convey that "blah" feeling i naturally exude. it works well!

[bass_n_treble]

I dress between what Harion described and what Pan_Sonic has evolved from.

I need to post a new pic one day, but I show up in photos about as often as a vampire.

[1104]

i like looking composed. clothes, part of a composition.

throwing on "just anything" conflicts with my inclination to be deliberate.

[Hermione]

I dress between what Harion described and what Pan_Sonic has evolved from.

I need to post a new pic one day, but I show up in photos about as often as a vampire.

Hey me too. ( :

Actually I wish I did but I dress low key as I can possibly get away with. Likes it.

[Robb]

From top to bottom:

I have black hair, messed up
Black or grey t-shirt, no logos
Torn jeans or black BDU's
leather strap belt
Leather Redback work boots
2 pairs of socks (ocd...)
My accessories include a 420 stainless steel pocket knife and my blackberry 8330.


Eh, I dress like this because its cheap, easy, and I really dont care. The more disturbed I look, the less likely anyone will approach me and I will be forced to socialize. It works out well.

[pioneer_167]

When in school, I dress rather plainly. Right now, I'm wearing a short-sleeved oxford, khaki pants and comfortable, but professional looking shoes. It's more or less like that every day. I only wear it because it's comfortable. Sometimes I wear short-sleeved polo shirts, but that's become much less common in the past few years.

When not in school or work, I almost always wear a baseball cap, so I don't have to care what my hair looks like.

I almost never wear anything with writing on it. Although some of my polo shirts might have small embroidered logos.

[naruto littles helpers.jpeg]

i dress to depress.

[vSv]

Same reason as old Cash.


Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black.

I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.

And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believen' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen' that we all were on their side.

Well, there's things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin' everywhere you go,
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You'll never see me wear a suit of white.

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black.

[HoneyCyclical]

I wear a double layer of fat over my entire body. It's warm in the winter and comfy to hug on. The downside is that it shoots my entire normal (normal for me) sized 8/10 wardrobe out the window...leaving me with a few "fat" pants and shirts because I refuse to buy another entire wardrobe. Or maybe this is a good thing since streamlining is more efficient. At least I always know what I'm going to wear the next day.

[Madrigal]

I think it's kind of depressing when people don't care what they wear, as if they don't think they can be sensual. The body can be a temple or a prison depending on how you treat it, and the way you present it is a part of that.

[cripple]

Warm-easy to keep clean, form-try to pay some attention, not so much colour. Variation- Try to pick something different at least a few times a week.

Everything is simple and thought through. No jewellery. I have considered piercing my ears, for like 15 years, so might do that one day, but there is clips for that. I generally prefer the none destructive method in most things. Reversible. Undefined.

[Alfredo]

this thread needs pictures- why not just lay out an outfit on the floor/bed and snap a photo?

[Anonymous]

I've been wanting a wardrobe change for a long time now and introduce some sort of style, but haven't been willing to spend the money. I try to make sure that I look decent (no tears/stains on my clothes, clothes that fit, colors that work), but that's about it.

[silly sally]

i dress to match my moods...they're all over the place.

[Technical]

i dress to match my moods...they're all over the place.
So are your clothes, woman, pull yourself together for God's sake!

[silly sally]

at least i'm not bored...shush!

[Pristinegirl]

Do you choose your clothing in order to express who you are inside? Do you think it is even possible to communicate your personality through the clothing you wear? What is the symbolic value of different styles or items of clothing?

I've never done this myself, but I find it interesting that some people do. I wonder whether other people interpret the message correctly.


Most definetly. Clothes are an artform that can convey states of mind as well as personality.

I think that I naturally buy clothes that express me inside (i.e. my avatar sweater) or on the other hand pretty summer dresses. However, its even more visible with accesories in my case: e.g. Ballerina shoes, bows, ribbons, pink, knick knacks, pearl earings etc.

[Cbug]

Most definetly. Clothes are an artform that can convey states of mind as well as personality.

I think that I naturally buy clothes that express me inside (i.e. my avatar sweater) or on the other hand pretty summer dresses. However, its even more visible with accesories in my case: e.g. Ballerina shoes, bows, ribbons, pink, knick knacks, pearl earings etc.


What exactly are you expressing when you wear pearl earrings?

[Pristinegirl]

Innocence

[Alfredo]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/Alfredo-san/DSC01733.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/Alfredo-san/DSC01732.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/Alfredo-san/DSC01730.jpg

[Pooja]

I dress for comfort. Thus, I end up wearing fitted 3/4 length sleeve shirts over black yoga pants almost every day.

[Wingman]

[IMG]
[IMG]
[IMG]

Coo style. I can feel your charisma from here... That makes me sound kinda gay.

[Alfredo]

Coo style. I can feel your charisma from here... That makes me sound kinda gay.

Nah, it just means you got jokes:highfive:

Srsly, you're the first to say I have any charisma. Makes sense, we've never met and it's over the internet

(wow...how sad for me:mellow:)

[Rincon]

Coo style. I can feel your charisma from here... That makes me sound kinda gay.

No, saying "Coo style" makes you sound kinda gay. Just sayin'...

[Wingman]

Srsly, you're the first to say I have any charisma. Makes sense, we've never met and it's over the internet

(wow...how sad for me:mellow:)

Well at least you'll be the mysterious guy with great style that some random girl will like.




No, saying "Coo style" makes you sound kinda gay. Just sayin'...

I think that depends on how you say it in your mind... You fag. :p

[ed_dunn84]

I usually wear a shirt like this
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3461/ladiesmanhomersimpsonte.th.jpg (http://img142.imageshack.us/i/ladiesmanhomersimpsonte.jpg/)
its not hilarious, but every now and again someone cracks a smile

[1104]

my wardrobe is basically mom's 80s pants, dad's 80s sweaters, and DM's. i spend on shoes

[Technical]

Top coat; Top hat; And I don't worry 'cause my wallet's fat. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_EFdod4YDo)

[Madrigal]

What exactly are you expressing when you wear pearl earrings?


Innocence

That was a really good reply - just sayin'.

[Pristinegirl]

That was a really good reply - just sayin'.

I have a tendency to expedite information flow by being direct :/

My outside may reflect a 17 year old but my inside reflects a 10 year old little girl.
So by wearing flowers, bows, pink and pearls etc I'm bringing out that 10 year old innocent, radiant, shiny, pretty and sweet little girl.

[Madrigal]

Okay.

I don't know what to make of that, PG.

[bass_n_treble]

Okay.

I don't know what to make of that, PG.

http://www.intpcentral.com/uploads/pedobear_seal.png

[Madrigal]

LOL

On random note I think there should be a "what are you wearing right now?" thread.

[Animus]

I like simplicity and comfort, but I still like making sure I look decent. Most of my clothing is dark. Jeans, black Dickies, and black shop and band t-shirts make up 90% of my wardrobe. I only have three pairs of shoes: my everyday shoes, my dress shoes, and my work shoes(all black). No deep reason for the black; I just like the way black looks, and it makes matching easy.

[bass_n_treble]

LOL

On random note I think there should be a "what are you wearing right now?" thread.

Make it so, Captain Picard. (aka, we know you really want to tell us what you're wearing, so OUT WITH IT already... jeez. haha)

btw I've had a couple of drinks :crazy:

[Technical]

Yeah bc it's teh Cappity Caps who says "Make it so."

[sandwich]

I've found that I have a disproportionate amount of green in my wardrobe. I think my clothes reflect that I like the color green.

[Madrigal]

Make it so, Captain Picard. (aka, we know you really want to tell us what you're wearing, so OUT WITH IT already... jeez. haha)

btw I've had a couple of drinks

I'm not wearing anything special. :lol: I just thought maybe the forum would explode if that thread were created.

*too sober*

[HoneyCyclical]

I'm not wearing anything special.

fixed for B and T.

[bass_n_treble]

fixed for B and T.

:wub::wub: One for each of you.

BTW: I'm wearing crusty old pajamas because my street clothes smell like cigarette smoke. Attractive!

(way to ruin the moment, B_n_T... :stupid:)

[Pristinegirl]

Okay.

I don't know what to make of that, PG.

Aww thats okay. It's a feeling thing, it can't be analysed... ^^

[mastero]

I have a tendency to expedite information flow by being direct :/

Would you say this is typical of ENFPs?

[Pristinegirl]

Would you say this is typical of ENFPs?

Definetly, in a genuine way! :)

[Defensin]

Dress to express : I get to reject you first :devil:

[MuseedesBeauxArts]

I've become known for my black sweater + jeans combos. I want things spare, well-cut, with interesting lines but few colors--it gives me a sort of mental space, a feeling that I can blend in, though I'm not sure that it's very expressive. I have quite a few colorful accessories (scarves, especially) to add some contrast, but they're not necessarily an everyday thing as they tend to be mood-dependent (how much do I want to stand out?).

[C.J.Woolf]

I have quite a few colorful accessories (scarves, especially) to add some contrast, but they're not necessarily an everyday thing as they tend to be mood-dependent (how much do I want to stand out?).
When I was in college I had a bright yellow jacket and a yellow wide-brim felt hat. The future Mrs. Woolf's first gift to me was a rainbow scarf to complete what she called my "mating plumage". I guess it worked. :)

[Nighthawk]

Do you choose your clothing in order to express who you are inside? Do you think it is even possible to communicate your personality through the clothing you wear? What is the symbolic value of different styles or items of clothing?


Only when I go to job interviews or some similar such SJ function. Then I follow this guy's (http://www.amazon.com/John-Molloys-New-Dress-Success/dp/0446385522) advice and dress accordingly. It has paid pretty good dividends. On other occasions, I ususally dress for comfort.

[Chaselation]

I have blue eyes so I wear blue shirts as a compliment (if it matters). That's the extent of my consideration.

[Lurker]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/Alfredo-san/DSC01733.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/Alfredo-san/DSC01732.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/Alfredo-san/DSC01730.jpg

Oh, oh! It's an EMO!!! :banana:

(minus the black) Wait. Isn't that just gay?

Nah, I'm kidding. You're stylish. :)

[Defensin]

Oh, oh! It's an EMO!!! :banana:

(minus the black) Wait. Isn't that just gay?

Nah, I'm kidding. You're stylish. :)

+ those are some incredibly clean sneakers :happpy:

[Lurker]

I've been informed that it's called a hipster. I stand corrected!

[Dark Razor]

Do you choose your clothing in order to express who you are inside? Do you think it is even possible to communicate your personality through the clothing you wear? What is the symbolic value of different styles or items of clothing?


No, I usually dress to project an image I consider advantagous in a given situation. Though the range I can project is somewhat limited because I do not feel comfortable in some styles of clothing.

[Alfredo]

Oh, oh! It's an EMO!!!

(minus the black) Wait. Isn't that just gay?

Nah, I'm kidding. You're stylish.

Thank you! I find it interesting that I get called either emo or hipster. Funny story: Last year I was reading a book in my school's cafeteria and some people started up a debate about what social trend I fit into, right in front of me and as if I wasn't there (occasionally pointing to an article of clothing or something). Heh. good times.


+ those are some incredibly clean sneakers :happpy:

My friend made the ones in the middle pic for me! She is awesome :banana:

EDIT:Oh! Did you mean clean literally? I thought you meant the slang ( as in "That's hella clean, son!")

[Perseus]

Do you choose your clothing in order to express who you are inside? Do you think it is even possible to communicate your personality through the clothing you wear? What is the symbolic value of different styles or items of clothing?

I've never done this myself, but I find it interesting that some people do. I wonder whether other people interpret the message correctly.

I would if I could be bothered, or I could afford my own personal designer.

[lpethe]

I'm under no impressions that the clothes I wear express who I am. In fact, I think it's pretty silly that some people do. Really? Throughout all time and cultures and all styles ever designed you just happen to be born into the one where the specific style that "expresses you" is not only socially acceptable, but so popular that it is mass produced and readily available?

If you could truly wear whatever you want (with acceptable consequences), this is what you would choose? Hell no - its a compromise you make to be treated better. Further, if you are already making that compromise why would you sacrifice that gain to wear less popular/more rebellious styles that are likely to cause judgment and poor treatment in the name of expressing yourself? Taking that route you are neither expressing yourself nor gaining the benefits of "fitting in". Moronic.

[mastero]

Really? Throughout all time and cultures and all styles ever designed you just happen to be born into the one where the specific style that "expresses you" is not only socially acceptable, but so popular that it is mass produced and readily available?

What style expresses what identity is defined by the social context. You're not good at this..

[lpethe]

you really believe variations in given styles are sufficient to express an identity? a mood or attitude i could see...

[mastero]

you really believe variations in given styles are sufficient to express an identity?

Entirely? No. Is how you choose to present yourself visually part of your identity? Yes. I already answered this earlier in the thread.

[lpethe]

well, im saying that subscribing to those subcultures as an expression of identity is no more or less a compromise than not adhering to them.

[cripple]

I'm under no impressions that the clothes I wear express who I am.
Of course they do. It's all uniforms.

Dress up in a police uniform, and people will do as you tell them.

Who you are is irrelevant.

[lpethe]

perhaps im not understanding what you are disagreeing with, cripple, because when you say "Who you are is irrelevant" that, to me, is in line with what i said.

also, i wholeheartedly agree with the uniform comment. clothing is a powerful social tool that is best used to your personal advantage rather than an "expression of self"

[cripple]

Dont disagree. I'm agreeing.



Further, if you are already making that compromise why would you sacrifice that gain to wear less popular/more rebellious styles that are likely to cause judgment and poor treatment in the name of expressing yourself

For fun? J's are retards anyhow, so who cares?

Compromise is no good, agree to that.

[kali]

I can't really express myself. Half the time I'm in a school uniform. On the weekends I like wearing either dresses with docs or skinny jeans and a top. I love skirts and scarves, expecially ones with gordon tartan.


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/Alfredo-san/DSC01733.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/Alfredo-san/DSC01732.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a244/Alfredo-san/DSC01730.jpgVery generic hipster; though I like the middle outfit the best. Not the shoes there though.

[overainbows]

I don't. Although I'd like to have my own style, the thing is that nowadays I dress very basically. When I get my own job and am payed well for that I'll dress the way I'd like too, but still, it wouldn't be very expressive, it'd be more modern, cleaner and sporty.

[rainfall]

Lots of half-ruined leather jackets and pea coats, rings, dyed black hair, expensive shirts from Zara / Banana Republic with half the buttons undone, heavy leather bracelets, necklaces made out of chain, rock star pants. Shit like that.

What is funny is that this stage was a necessary phase of growth towards that strength and inner courage ahhahaha

[Phreon]

I like my wardrobe simple and understated. For work, black khakis with a black, gray or white button down shirt. Tasteful pinstripes are acceptable. Most sweaters are either black, gray or white. I've been known to wear polo shirts, but only if I'm feeling too lazy to iron my shirts and it's too hot to wear a sweater.

Casual is jeans with a simple T-shirt and sweater or sweatshirt. Sometimes a polo if I need a collar, but as stated, I don't like 'em. I don't wear shorts.

Shoes are either well polished black leather jump (paratrooper) boots from the surplus store, black high-top Chucks or hiking boots.

My coat? A clean, gray wool Swiss Army overcoat.

More or less, everything matches. It's simple.

My coworkers and I have come to an understanding about my "fashion sense". They don't talk about my clothes and I don't verbally shred their fragile egos.

Phreon

[bass_n_treble]

Very generic hipster; though I like the middle outfit the best. Not the shoes there though.

Nah, it looks like Alfredo actually spent a decent amount of money on these outfits. Outside of the scarf I don't see hipster at all.