Saturday, 20 June 2009
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Socks and Sandals..=P
So it's summer now and people are starting to bust out the sandals especially when it is 30 plus outside in the sun. The other day I was casually wearing my sandals with my foot socks. My friend sends me a text message later about how it is a cardinal rule that sandals and socks are a complete turn off for any girl out there. My first thought was that is the stupidest cardinal rule I have ever heard.
The one thing I have a problem with is in a social setting is how the heck is a guy like me suppose to automatically pick up on such a minute detail such as "socks and sandals" and who the heck dictates these rules? My cynical side says it's the fashion industry who says so just so they can make lots of money. Plus, if a girl is just going to judge me on my looks then she's probably not the girl for me the first place. What fair warning do I get if this "rule" is a "cardinal rule"? You see, this is why I cringe when I catch a glimpse of show like "What not to Wear" and I immediately change the channel. Heck, I rather watch Jon & Kate Plus 8 than those two hosts blabbing off about fashion like a picky child's eating habits. Why does everyone HAVE to look a certain way? A part of me also asks how much of these "fashion rules" are dictated by media and us trying to chase after the unrealistic movie star look. Afterall, who really cares about looks years down the road when we're all old, fat and ugly and in a nursing home or hospital maybe.
At the same time, I again appreciate my friend for pointing it out to me. And it is probably in my best interest to listen to my friend since I am single. I just hate the feeling of doing something stupid without knowing it and then getting judged for it. I guess its that reason that I rather not care much about looks because I feel like certain outcasts are so unfairly judged because of their appearance. And all these fashion rules are just an outward appearance that really says nothing about the inner beauty that God tries remind us about over and over again about.
But...
How true is that? Appearance does count for something but it never counts for everything. (except for being America's Top Model.) It has been an ongoing debate in my mind. While I look for a girl who's got inner beauty, I am a guy and I have to admit, it is awfully hard to exclusively look at a personality. So I'd be hypocritical if I said to throw appearances out the window.
Here's a scenarios that's going through my mind right now: Let's say I dare someone to nominate me to go on “What not to Wear” and get my wardrobe changed. I'd just like to see what they'd have to say. I spark a debate and maybe actually find out why looks matter. All in the process of getting my 15 minutes of fame. (hey, at least I'm honest about it). There are many interesting possibilities with this scenario.
As for whether looks matter or no,. I don't really know where I stand. So far I realize that there is at least some guideline that people should follow look a certain way for practical reasons. At the same time, how much of these fashion rules are really just bogus efforts by fashion companies and our sinful natures to try to look like movie stars?
Anyways, I'm watching CNN right now and seeing the stuff that's happening in Iran with the election fallout. Now I realize it'd be silly of me to talk about fashion when I know there's a significant crisis in the middle east. So, I think as people who are living comfortable lives and can actually afford to watch CNN should keep the people of Iran in our prayers.
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Comments (3)
new years resolution: watch/read the news.
ah... there are so much more important things going on in the world of which i know absolutely nothing about.
anyway, i'm going to comment on the fashion/outer looks part of your blog. i think that people aim to dress well/look good due to cultural and social norms (obviously). i agree that it's the media and fashion industry that really benefits with everyone desiring to look a certain way. i personally love watching what not to wear. if you can learn anything from that show it is just how big of a role a person's image is. usually an individual who has been nominated to get a makeover from 'what not to wear' will start crying and comment on how much of an impact the makeover has had on their life. i think it enhances the self-esteem of the individual and gives them more perceived control over their lives. the makeover is actually really powerful in reestablishing someone's identity which they may have let go of as the years have gone by.
i think that the outward appearance can sometimes be used to evaluate whether someone takes care of themselves (so that can be useful?).
i'm actually really horrible with shopping. first of all, i'm really picky and i don't think i can pull off more outrageous styles. secondly, i'm super cheap and don't like buying new clothes unless i have to or i really love the item. thirdly, a lot of the things that are "in" are too revealing/sketchy and myles would incessantly nag at me if i were to purchase them. i think it's way easier for guys to find clothes that work for them (lucky you!).
i think fashion is important if you think about it in the sense of how some eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa, are culturally-bound psychiatric disorders. it's more common to occur within north america.it says a lot about what the norm for women is.
for me, i am really lazy and actually don't like shopping because it's so hard for me to find clothes to buy. i also am aware of how companies benefit from me having to buy lots of clothes that i may not really need for surival. yet... the compulsion to fit in with my (girl)friends nags at me whenever i see them. if only i could have new shoes...and tops...and pants... the shopping rampage begins... and i have to remind myself that things such as these clothes will not last but that inward beauty and character will last.
so my fashion conclusion is: everything in moderation. sorry con... that's all i've got. i don't really know any fashion rules to pass onto you (guys can pretty much wear whatever they want)! i think the no socks+sandals combo is the only rule i know... it's not really a rule. if you watch a lot of tv, people will offhandedly make fun of it (saying that only older people do that).
wow, i might not have as much to say as brit does, but alot of things are definitely going through my head right now.
firstly, i heard of that no socks+sandals deal when i was in first year. yea that's a no-no. but hey, if you're most comfortable in it and you truly dont care what kind of impression you make on people - then i don't see any reason why you gotta stop it.
secondly, mmm.... yea you are single and yes, appearance DOES impact a person's perception on someone whether consciously or subconsciously. as long as we're in this world, i think your physical appearance will somehow influence your view of someone. i think it works the other way around too... if you suddenly see a girl... say, wearing a super tight neon purple tank top... would it be easier for you to spark up a convo with her or harder? what would your first impression of her be? would it matter? i think first impressions are very important... but of course, they're not solely based on their fashion sense. haha, unless you're into fashion yourself!
lastly, yes you want your wife to love you for your personality and not your fashion sense... but that doesn't mean you should be careless about attracting her! haha, well - this sounds kinda shallow, but guys are visual right? and guys desire to be physically attracted to their wives right? women want to be physically attracted to their husbands and to some ppl, fashion is incorporated into that physical element. :)
well, come to your own convictions about this and God will do the rest. ;)