To the trained student’s eye, clothing
choices betray a person’s socio-economic status, cultural identity, and religion,
and cause the “watcher” to make a snap judgment of the student being observed.
This judgmental nature creates a desire among college students to fit in with
the social norms of college – colorful pants, Vineyard Vine fleeces, and fancy
jewelry – for fear of standing out and being ostracized.
Understanding
the fear of being judged solely on one’s clothing makes the lack of stars of
David, crosses, and Hijabs on the Hill make sense. Instead of disregarding
clothing norms, many students of faith choose to hide their religious identity by
tucking their religious necklaces and symbols under their shirts or in their
bags until they are alone or surrounded by like-minded individuals.
The few
students who do choose to wear their faith quite literally on their sleeve, do
so, many times, to “stick it” to the dominant college culture, as if saying, “Sure,
judge me on my faith, but there is more to me than just this cross!” The fashion
language on campus forces religious students to label themselves as overly
devout or irreligious.
"Fashion too is a language of
signs, a nonverbal system of communication."
– Alison Lurie
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