We can all relate to that feeling of wanting to be fashion forward and “cool.” Memories flood of those teenage years when it was all about fitting in. When it came to clothes, especially. How many teenage girls cry out in anguish as they stare at a closet full of clothes and rant about how they have nothing to wear! I find myself doing the same, to this day. Why was it that we needed those hip tops and skirts, so desperately? Because it was what determined our social fate, right? Never, would we dare to wear anything out of style or “lame.” It simply wasn’t done. How we looked in the mirror for hours, trying on everything, and still nothing was good enough! More, more and more there was no end to that need for clothes! An obsession, almost.

Teenagers can be most cruel when it comes to their guidelines of social status. The frowns that poor girl in the “I love Ponies” t-shirt. The scoffing at the boy who wore his pants where they are supposed to be, and not hanging between his ankles. Walking though school, concerned about your appearance and assuming every look you got, was judged. How is my shirt doing? Are my pants making my butt look big? Ugh, my top makes me look fat! Is what I’m wearing still in season?

These questions would soar in your mind whenever you saw yourself in the mirror. All you wanted was to wear those trendy, stylish clothes like Kim Kardashian and other acclaimed celebrities. Every penny earned, went directly to the mall and into a Forever 21 shopping bag. Was it really necessary? Back then, of course.

We had a reason behind the clothing frenzy, after all we were most certainly judged by it. That approval by others meant everything. It made us feel good to wear that pretty top and latest trend pants. For those who felt self-conscious about their looks, fashion was the loop-hole in self-confidence. Girls, thought that by wearing those skimpy dresses, they would catch the eye of that “hot” boy they had a crush on. Which, was unfortunately true. When have you ever seen a so-called popular person, wearing out of style clothing? Is there such a thing as a celebrity or teenage queen bee wearing something from Walmart? The idea is un-thought of. I find myself guilty as well of being one of those frantic girls who would cry at the mere thought of repeating an outfit. I could never save a penny because all money had to be spent on clothes. My savings never lasted more than a week. Forgetting all else, except for clothes.

Did it make me more popular? No. I will admit, that I was left alone, which is a rare case for a new girl with awkward acne. So in a twisted sense, my fashion obsession, did help. I often received compliments on clothing or a few “where’d you get it from’s?” But in the end I’m sad to say, Fashion does indeed, signal social status amongst teenagers. Its a cruel reality, I know. Believe me, if there could be something done about it, I would be first to endorse it. However there is nothing to be done. Aren’t adults still like that? Don’t we still go through the ridiculous notions of popularity and trend following? Yes, you do. Yes, I still do. Its an embarrassing fact to admit. Where does this habit come from? Again, I believe it’s from our silly teenage years. A habit, that never really goes away. Why, we still judge people when we see some person on the street wearing what we think is “ridiculous”. We still snicker at the people who wear cheap knockoff brands. How cruel is that reality? Very.