SynapsyS
Don Juan
As part of my degree at uni (Design), we study semiotics. Briefly, semiotics is the study or science of signs. Everything around us, every object, colour, material, everything has associations. Everything is a sign, be it a very strong connection or a very weak one. Let's just say, objects have baggage 
One of the major focusses of the unit was clothing, and what it says about us. The case study we looked at was to do with jeans, and the evolution into the Punk movement in the late 70's and early 80's. Teenagers took all sorts of stuff and used it in new and weird ways, so as to convey meaning to people. The majority of the time, it was about non-conformity and giving the finger to everyone. Times change, but the theory remains the same.
My reading has lead me to think a lot more about what I wear, and how I choose to present myself out in public. It's not always a case of making a statement about yourself, but NOT making a statement about yourself. Wearing band tshirts (My Dark Side of the Moon tshirt was singled out in class), or anything unique to a particular subculture, is a powerful and clear statement about who you are. Conversely, wearing plain clothes with no real features at all is just as powerful, because you could be ANYTHING. See where I'm going with this?
One of the most prominent "tips" I've ever picked up is the use of mystery in all encounters with everyone. You cannot be seen as interesting if people already know everything there is to know about you. Just like telling your life story, adorning yourself with symbolic clothing and styles makes you boring and predictable. Ever wondered why you might think that all goths/emo's are pretty much the same? It's because they tell you too much without opening their mouths.
Likewise with any subculture. If you surf, and wear basically the catalogue for Billabong or Rip Curl, then people make automatic assumptions about who you are. If you're a "ghetto" type person, and you wear ghetto clothing (excuse my terminology, I live in Australia), then again, everyone assumes you're the stereotype because you are plastering the stereotype all over yourself.
What am I getting at? Next time you go sarging, consider what your clothes, hairstyle and facial hair (if any) say about you. Are you saying too much? Are you saying too little? Don't get the above wrong, de-symbolising yourself can be dangerous, as you may, in the process of trying to be less boring, become just as boring on the opposite end of the scale. But try to find a balance between wearing yourself on your sleeve (literally!) and wearing a long black coat, concealing everything.
A lot of material suggests that girls don't care much for looks, that it's 90% confidence. Well, you can be the most confident beggar in the world and still find it hard to get a date. And the most immediate and powerful statements you make aren't with your mouth. They're with your appearence and body language. I'd say at least 60% of that 90% confidence is made up of appearence.
To brand or not to brand, that is the question no?
Syn.
One of the major focusses of the unit was clothing, and what it says about us. The case study we looked at was to do with jeans, and the evolution into the Punk movement in the late 70's and early 80's. Teenagers took all sorts of stuff and used it in new and weird ways, so as to convey meaning to people. The majority of the time, it was about non-conformity and giving the finger to everyone. Times change, but the theory remains the same.
My reading has lead me to think a lot more about what I wear, and how I choose to present myself out in public. It's not always a case of making a statement about yourself, but NOT making a statement about yourself. Wearing band tshirts (My Dark Side of the Moon tshirt was singled out in class), or anything unique to a particular subculture, is a powerful and clear statement about who you are. Conversely, wearing plain clothes with no real features at all is just as powerful, because you could be ANYTHING. See where I'm going with this?
One of the most prominent "tips" I've ever picked up is the use of mystery in all encounters with everyone. You cannot be seen as interesting if people already know everything there is to know about you. Just like telling your life story, adorning yourself with symbolic clothing and styles makes you boring and predictable. Ever wondered why you might think that all goths/emo's are pretty much the same? It's because they tell you too much without opening their mouths.
Likewise with any subculture. If you surf, and wear basically the catalogue for Billabong or Rip Curl, then people make automatic assumptions about who you are. If you're a "ghetto" type person, and you wear ghetto clothing (excuse my terminology, I live in Australia), then again, everyone assumes you're the stereotype because you are plastering the stereotype all over yourself.
What am I getting at? Next time you go sarging, consider what your clothes, hairstyle and facial hair (if any) say about you. Are you saying too much? Are you saying too little? Don't get the above wrong, de-symbolising yourself can be dangerous, as you may, in the process of trying to be less boring, become just as boring on the opposite end of the scale. But try to find a balance between wearing yourself on your sleeve (literally!) and wearing a long black coat, concealing everything.
A lot of material suggests that girls don't care much for looks, that it's 90% confidence. Well, you can be the most confident beggar in the world and still find it hard to get a date. And the most immediate and powerful statements you make aren't with your mouth. They're with your appearence and body language. I'd say at least 60% of that 90% confidence is made up of appearence.
To brand or not to brand, that is the question no?
Syn.
