CHS is relatively fashion-forward. Because everyone has his or her own sense of style, we see a spectrum of clothing that epitomizes the diversity of our school. However, I recently witnessed a darker side emanating from this spectrum when I overheard an open conversation between my classmates.

“Did you see what she was wearing?”

“Yeah, that super bright pink sweater. I was like, ‘Hello, I think I’m going to go blind.’”

That wasn’t the first time I’ve heard somebody say something like that. In fact, we’ve all probably commented, either verbally or mentally, on someone’s outfit.

For many, commenting on fashion is an easy avenue to judge others. It’s hard to believe that something as superficial as one’s physical appearance is frequently used to erroneously judge someone, since fashion is our easiest outlet of expressing ourselves. It provides many with a feeling of confidence and contentment, which I completely support. However, I think the undeniable truth is many people consider fashion more important than necessary.

Ever since the moment our parents stopped dressing us, we’ve been told that we should dress properly and appropriately for whatever the occasion. This notion has etched a part of itself into every single one of us, influencing us to unconsciously judge others based on what they’re wearing.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Although cliché, this phrase applies perfectly. Merely evaluating people by their looks and physical appearance is unfair to the person being judged; someone’s clothes can tell us a lot, but it doesn’t reveal the wearer’s true character.

Because many consider fashion more important than they should, fashion disparity can trigger misjudgment of who a person is. People of lower economic backgrounds may not be able to afford the trendiest clothes or their personal preferences,  and as a result, feel insecure when people comment on their appearance.

The purpose of clothing is to clothe oneself: what everyone wears should not be important. So whether you shop once a year or every day, the next time you see that “super bright pink sweater,” keep in mind someone’s fashion choice isn’t as important as it seems.