To adolescents, clothes serve a wide variety of functions. Adolescents use clothing to express themselves and to obtain social approval. It is also part of their self-image and a means to declare their self-importance. Further, clothing is a key way to identify with and compare oneself to peers. Of all age groups, adolescents are most likely to devote a disproportionate amount of time and attention to clothing and appearance.
Why is this so? Adolescents are extraordinarily sensitive to the opinions of their peers. Generally, they want to be accepted and belong to a group. Physical appearance is an integral part of this process. Adolescents worry constantly about their physical appearance. It is not uncommon for the tiniest detail to become a major concern. So, while the eight-year-old younger brother may dress quickly and run out the door, the sixteen-year-old older brother takes the time to select just the right clothing. And, he may carry a comb to ensure that his hair remains exactly where it should throughout the day.
Still, while adolescents want to belong, they also have a strong desire to assert some form of individuality and independence. So clothing may well be used to demonstrate one’s own unique personality. Yet, the line between conforming to some dress code and asserting one’s own desires is rather thin. And, when a teen is taunted or ridiculed for some clothing “error,” the pain may be quite profound.
How do teens decide what to wear? Unlike adults who may turn to the Paris fashion shows, teens look to kindred souls. Of course, teens see what their peers wear. But, they also read magazines, primarily those directed at teens such as Teen People, Teen Vogue and CosmoGIRL!. And they observe what the characters in television programs and media advertisements are wearing. Further, they note the clothing worn by entertainers and pop musicians such as Britney Spears. There is even a store, Hot Topic that sells clothing and accessories that are based on popular music and its gothic themes.
And teens are inundated by catalogs specifically directed to them. All the models are teens or near teens, and the clothing is designed to meet their needs. It is not uncommon for teens to spend hours perusing through clothing catalogs.
And what teens “wear” extends beyond their actual clothing. Teens and their parents are spending money on such items as knapsacks and cell phones. As with clothing, some styles and brands are considered more socially acceptable than others. Increasingly, teens, rather than their parents, are deciding what they will wear. First, it makes no sense to spend money for clothing that will never be worn. Parents who insist that they select their teen’s clothing should not be surprised if the items are never used. Also, with a bustling job market, after school jobs are easy to obtain. Teens are able to earn the money they need to purchase the clothing they want. Sometimes they are paid for household chores. But, stressed out parents, who are working more than ever, are also indulging their children—far more so than any, previous generation, and they have little time to micromanage their child’s shopping.
Still, it is not at all uncommon for parents and teens to disagree on what type of clothing teens should wear. Parents often think that their children are wearing clothes that are too tight, too loose, too short, too skimpy or too baggy. Why in the world would a male teen want his pants to hang halfway down his rear end? And how can that teen female breathe wearing pants that seem at least two sizes too tight. Teens frequently deem their parents old-fashioned and out of touch with the real world. And, parents are often shocked at how much the clothing costs. More than one hundred dollars for a pair of sneakers that might be too small in a few months sounds outrageous. Why pay eighty dollars for a pair of jeans, when there is a perfectly adequate pair—albeit from a different brand—that is half the price?
Some schools have dress codes. For example, schools may place limits on the length of short shorts. In those cases, school officials measure the length of shorts, and the students who exceed the limits may be faced with disciplinary action.
Teens tend to patronize certain stores. In response, there have emerged a growing number of specialty stores that cater to teens. The names Old Navy, the Gap, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch and J. Crew are well known to most teens. There are hundreds of these stores located at malls and shopping centers throughout the U.S. Studies have shown that teens favor these over department stores, and they often shop there in groups.
Teens also shop online. Though devoid of the social elements provided by an afternoon of shopping at the mall, shopping online is convenient and quick, especially since today’s teens are very comfortable with computers. They have been using them since early childhood.
When discussing teen clothing, there are some serious health-related issues to consider. Sometimes, teens that are losing weight from an eating disorder, wear several layers of oversized clothing. Obviously, they are trying to mask their significant weight loss from their parents and peers. Or teens may wear too little clothing. Often, teens can be seen standing outside in truly freezing cold weather without even wearing a jacket. It is never a good idea to stand outside in the cold for a prolonged period of time without adequate attire.
It is also not desirable to wear clothing that is too tight. In females that may foster an environment that encourages a vaginal infection; in males, it could result in jock itch.
Perhaps one of the scariest elements of teen clothing is the fact that in a number of settings teens that wear clothing of certain colors may be assumed to be members of a rival gang. As such, they become the enemy—a person who should be attacked or killed. Non-gang teens that happen to wear the wrong color clothing have been injured or murdered. Afraid to be identified with any gang, some teens refuse to wear any colors and dress entirely in black.
And, though, police officers maintain that they do not typecast, one cannot help but wonder if they would be more likely to pay close attention to teens that wear certain types of clothing. Thus, a teen wearing a simple turtleneck sweater and pair of pants would probably draw far less attention than one wearing a tight, short leather skirt with a miniscule halter-top.
Related topics:
Anorexia nervosa, backpacks, independence and rebellion, peer pressure, self-esteem
