If you have not done so yet, be sure the check the recently added Class Schedule. Here you can view upcoming reading assignments and plan ahead for your written work. This schedule is tentative, so revisit it frequently for updates!
I am providing the next reading for Wednesday, by Malcolm Gladwell. It is the first chapter from his book titled The Tipping Point. No, it's not the Roots album; however, this text does offer interesting commentary and observation of contemporary culture and society. Print this document, annotate it, and bring it to our next class meeting so that we can examine it more closely as a group.
After reading Gladwell, respond to the following prompt: Describe, with sensory detail where possible, a fashion trend that you have noticed and participated in during the past three or four years. Where did it begin (if you know), or where did you first begin to notice it? Who were the people to first wear this style? Does this particular fashion help identify a particular group? If so, who or what? Do you identify with them or it? Is there a music genre attached to this group; a set of beliefs; ideals; behaviors or rituals? Devote two paragraphs to this e-journal response, citing at least one quotation from Gladwell’s text to support your conclusions.
Lastly, begin revising Essay #1 over the long weekend, using the comments left by your fellows during the peer-edit to assist you in your improvements. I will be handing your work back to you next Wednesday with my comments. Remember that the final draft is due Monday, October 17th!
*SKINNY JEANS*
ReplyDeleteSkinny Jeans is the trend that I noticed a few years back. I was exposed to this trend in the winter when I saw many people had their jeans tucked into their boots. I was in high school then and the trend became very popular in a short time. Skinny jeans were seen everywhere, from celebrities to high school students, everyone was wearing them. I do not know where the skinny jean trend originated from however this trend is associated with music. Many rock bands such as, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Elvis had been seen in tight fitted jeans. Many girls and a few boys wore skinny jeans. It became a fashion statement. The regular boot-cut jeans were no longer “in.” At first I did not switch to skinny jeans due to religious reasons (they are much fitted) and also because I did not want to go along with a trend just because everyone was doing it. However as time passed this trend was very influential and it became a norm in society, wearing skinny jeans. As Gladwell would put it, “It’s things like how sociable they are, or how energetic or knowledgeable or inflectional among their peers.” (Gladwell, 3)
This trend of skinny jeans was new, attractive, and influential among peers. If you wore skinny jeans, people would think that you have a sense of fashion. Skinny jeans were promoted everywhere in advertisements on television, on billboards, in magazines. After a while the influence affected me too as I became attracted to skinny jeans. I would wear a long or loose shirt on top and wear skinny jeans underneath (a futile attempt at being fashionable and religious at the same time). A person does not need to be part of a particular group to wear skinny jeans, rock stars, preppy girls, and emo guys; just about anyone can wear them. This trend goes way back to the 1950s however it is now more than ever being observed all over the U.S. Skinny jeans are one of the many trends that have been and still are very influential.
Converse sneakers are a trend that I have noticed people wearing a few years back. I was first exposed to the trend in elementary and high school,when I saw many of my friends and classmates wearing them. In a very short time they began to get popular and very quickly they went out of style as well. I do not know when they originated, however they are associated with music. Many contemporary musicians have been seen wearing converse sneakers. They are a unisex sneaker that can be worn by both girls and boys. Converse became a fashion statement, at a time when the edgy, tomboy look were "in". I think this trend identifies with the rocker, tomboy, or edgy people who love converse. But, you don't need to necessarily belong to such a group to want to wear converse sneakers. At first, I refused to participate in a trend just because everyone else was involved. However, as time passed, I also got involved in the trend. I bought two pairs of converse, one pair was red, the other were black high tops. As a trend they became very influential and for a while they were the norm amongst the youth in society.The author Gladwell from "The Tipping Point" discusses that social epidemics spread "through social connections and energy and enthusiasm and personality" (Gladwell,3)
ReplyDeleteLooking back, I definitely believe that peer pressure caused me to give into the trend and buy those pairs of converse. I remember seeing converse sneakers everywhere, in t.v. commercials, billboards, and magazines. I believe that this trend goes way back to the 1980's, but since then has made a recent comeback.
“Uggs”
ReplyDeleteThe first time I ever seen Ugg boots was back in 20067 when my cousin brought in a pair for us to see. After this I started to notice more and more people with them. Buy 2010 every one owned a pair, even my grandmother. Personally, I don’t like the original boots, but the label did come out with a boot that was just as comfortable and more my taste. Even before the Uggs made different styles of their boot, any and every one had a pair, from teens to children to woman and even men.
A problem that I have with these boots ,is the fact that people think , just because they were these potato’s on their feet, they are better than everyone else. These are the people who were the boots every day in the winter just so they can feel good about themselves. They actually get mad when they get scuffed. As Gladwell says”The idea of the importance . . . has enormous implications for the way we regard social epidemics as well.” Most of these people clam that they only where them every day because they are comfortable. You don’t need those boots to get you through a NYC winter. Regular boots are just fine.
Animal Prints
ReplyDeleteAnimal Prints is the trend that I have noticed a few years back. Even though it has always been a fashion trend it has appears and disappears through time. I was first exposed to this fashion trend during my junior year in high school when I noticed that one of my best friends had an animal print racer top. The next few weeks after I saw my friend wearing it I noticed that more people started to wear animal print tops. Animal prints had become so popular that even celebrities had them on. I’m not really sure where animal prints originated but this trend has been associated with modeling, the fashion industry and music. Thanks to World War II, the 1940s saw the emergence of the pin-up girl as a new American icon. One of the most iconic pin-ups of the era was Bettie Page, a model known for her fetish photography. Some of her best images were the Jungle Bettie photographs in which she posed with cheetahs in a Tarzan-like leopard mini-dress. The idea of women as sexual predators was a dominant one of the forties; perhaps men were uncomfortable with the growing emancipation of women. Page in her leopard lingerie were strong images of feminine power, and inspired many women to wear animal prints. Christian Dior, the famous couturier of the 1950s, is another important lover of animal prints, thanks to her love of leopard; Dior produced accessories, gowns, and ad campaigns featuring the animal’s print. Animal prints have a dangerous side also, thanks to the punk rock scene of the late 70’s. The punks brought a trashy vibe to 1970s fashion, and often chose to wear animal print lingerie and stockings under their ripped and torn clothing. By the end of the decade animal print lingerie, hosiery and fashion was everywhere.
At first I didn’t really like animal prints fashion I didn’t feel identified with it. However as time progressed this trend start to catch my attention since it had become a fashion statement and a popular style. As Gladwell said “As Gladwell would put it, “It’s things like how sociable they are, or how energetic or knowledgeable or inflectional among their peers.” (Gladwell, 3) and I agree one person doesn’t can affect the rest of the people. This fashion trend is very catching to the eye and influential. If you wore animal prints, people think you have you are “in” to fashion. Any type of fashion associated with Animal prints can be found or seen on everywhere you go. Even though at one point I wasn’t attracted to animal print clothing now in days I do own two animal print tops. A person doesn’t need to belong to any group to wear this sort of clothing and it’s all up to you.
Uggs boot. Ugg boots is the latest trend that I have noticed people using recently.Originating in Australia where they became popular in 1970's,ugg boots emerged as a fashion trend in US in late 2000 so the Australian people were the first to adapt this style.This fashion or trend is not specific for a certain group.It can be use by any person of any age,gender etc.when I saw Uggs for the first time I don't like it as i am not so fond of boots but later on when I saw different people wearing it than I feel they looking nicer so I decided to buy it.As Gladwell said in her article"its things like how socialable they are,or how energetic or knowledgeable or influential among their peer"(Gladwell 3).when i went to buy them i feel that they were expensive to other boots but when I use it I feel the difference .Uggs were really comfortable,warm and fashion accessories.I am happy to have my Uggs.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete“Leggings”
ReplyDeleteI remember leggings first became popular in my freshman or sophomore year in junior high school, so about five to six years ago. When leggings were a huge trend and they still are common today among girls, everyone would wear them under shorts or under skirts. Leggings were worn in all crazy colors with various designs on them. Leggings are comfy and appropriate, I couldn't help it but to go with the flow, so I too joined the trend. As Gladwell said in her article"its things like how sociable they are,or how energetic or knowledgeable or influential among their peer"(Gladwell 3).
Then some brave soul out there was daring enough to wear leggings without anything on top. Today you can’t walk two blocks with out seeing a female and sometimes even males wearing a pair of leggings. Of course now people just mostly wear black ones with sneakers, flats, boots, flip flops, sandals, just about anything. I wear black leggings almost every other day, and in high school I wore leggings all the time and it was rare for someone to see me wearing a pair of jeans. Regardless of the trend I would still wear leggings I love them and its not just about style, its about comfort too.
Hollister is a clothing name brand that everybody seems to be wearing now. Most of the shirts or hoodies just say Hollister and may have a bird in the back of it, or some have a picture of a character at the beach, very simple nothing special. I do not know where it began but I noticed it when I went shopping and the only place that was full of of people was Hollister, and there wasn't even a sale going on. This particular fashion trend does not help identify a particular group or have a music genre attached to a group. Just about anyone can wear it and it will be fine
ReplyDeleteIn the "Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell he compares social epidemic to diseases and how they are spread. He said, " and through social connections .... Nushawn Williams were able to spread HIV. I agree with this analogy because a fashion trend can spread just as quickly as an infection
A fashion trend that I have noticed in the past few years is the " I love boobies" bracelet. When i was in high school I would see plenty of my fellow school mates wearing this bracelet. My first thought was wow people dont know what to make anymore but then I asked my girl friend for what it was and she said for breast cancer. So then I decided to purchase one to help the cause. But some people just rock it for fashion purposes or because everyone has them on. The bracelet began so people can coomunicate about breast cancer.
ReplyDeleteAbout 5 states ban these bracelets in their school because they believe it is unapporiate. These bracelets come in a variations of colors and size but the main color is obvious pink. I owned 2 of these bracelets but I gave one to my boyfriend since he wanted one to join the cause. A long time ago my mother went to to doctor and then he found a lump in her breast but Thank God it wasnt cancerous. Because of this I purchased "I love boobies bracelet" and I wear it everyday. Like Gladwell says " its things like how sociable they are,or how energetic or knowledgeable or influential among their peers"(Gladwell 3). In my eyes ths is correct because once something is worn everyone wants to join in.
The Vintage look
ReplyDeleteClothes from or made to look from the early 20th century, 50s, or 70s. High wasted pants or skirts. Some people follow this trend, to dress like in the 50s with a poufy dress, polka dot and flowers prints. My mother and aunts have been telling me lately back when they were young they use to wear the same things I wear now.The jumpsuit with the over sized belt, and colorful big sunglasses. The different fashions back then will come back in some way or form. I started to notice the vintage trend maybe around 2008 or that is when I started to really look and care about clothes. Some of my friends love to show at the vintage boutiques. To look for dresses or over size sunglasses. As Gladwell states “The idea of the importance of stickiness in tipping has enormous implication for the way regard social epidemics”. Celebrity’s, Television shows and magazines have a big effect on trends. Some may say certain trends are not the thing anymore, but in a couple of years it will come out again.
Vans
ReplyDeleteVans are a shoe brand that has grown immensely throughout the young generation. I’ve noticed they’ve become quite popular in school around the beginning of sophomore year until now. People would wear their vans to give them that “preppy” look, and the style has just continued to grow and keep growing. I noticed how nice they looked and how universal they could be. Eventually I became tempted to buy my own pair, which I did. Vans are a popular shoe to be worn with skinny jeans or khakis, which I’ve noticed myself throughout high school. Big name music artists, such as Lil Wayne, even started to incorporate Vans into his style and even in his music, with the line, “Skinny Pants and Some Vans” from his song “Right Above It.” The history of the Vans shoes goes as far back as 1966, where their first store was open for business. They finally got their big screen debut when Sean Penn wore them in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”
Gladwell states “It isn’t just prosaic factors like the weather that influence behavior” (Gladwell , 3). People desire to fit into society and fashion trends that become common change the view on how people see the trend and behave towards a trend. Something you may have thought was outrageous a couple months ago could now pique your interest. When your favorite musician or classmates you consider cool might be wearing something that you now also want to wear. Society and people’s desire to fit into society is what keep these trends going and changing.
Nike Air Force One’s
ReplyDeleteA trend that I have noticed is at one point was when the Nike Air Force One’s were popular. Everyone had a pair of Nike air forces one’s. Everyone had their sneakers come in different types of styles. Some had them in white, black, or whichever color. Some of the sneakers came in low tops, high tops, or even medium. The sneakers became so prominent among kids; it even made its way to adults. They became the common “in” shoe that everyone had. The shoes became even more popular when N.B.A. players began promoting them. Certain players would have the sneakers designed after them. Plus commercials involving N.B.A. players involving the sneakers would push them even more. At one point Air Force One’s reached an all time high. Everyone was wearing them. I remember taking the bus and everyone had the same sneaker with different designs. Nike flipped the script again when they made Air Force One’s customizable. Now everyone was wearing their very own customizable Air Force One. I remember I wanted those sneakers, and I myself got my first pair of them as a present. Eventually as the sneakers became more, “fancy,” I got them in different styles and designs. It reached a height that Nike and Jordan came together and made a new sneaker that built hype. The sneakers were so popular that my own friend was even robbed for his pair. The sneakers were such a big fashion statement, celebrities, and athletes were wearing them which made people wear them. The sneakers became such a big social statement, everyone had them. If you didn’t have them you weren’t in the “in” crowd. Because of this some people have fallen into the peer pressure of getting the sneakers. Gladwell writes (Gladwell 4), “We tend to spend a lot more time thinking about how to make messages more contagious- how to reach as many people as possible with our products or ideas.”
As fashion grows most individuals try to keep up with the most popular trends, whether you see your favorite celebrities wearing it, a classmate, or by picking up magazine trends are always making there mark even if it breaks your wallet. A popular trend I noticed are Ugg boots otherwise known as Uggs. Uggs originated from Australia, they are made out of sheepskin and fleece. This fashion trend was brought to the United States in the late 1990’s but became known worldwide during the twenty-first century. I first heard of Uggs during the fall of 2007 when I first started high school. A group of my friends were talking about how hideous they thought they were. Out of curiosity I looked them up when I went home I instantly loved them, and bought a pair. I’m not the kind of person who buys things just because everyone has it, I have to love it and I loved Uggs.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I had gotten my boots not only did I notice I liked the style but the comfort they gave made me love them even more. Eventually as the winter came along I noticed more and more people wearing Uggs. From small children to adults, everyone wore Uggs. Surprisingly one of my friends who commented on the boots being ugly even bought a pair. In The Tipping Point a book written by Malcolm Gladwell he states “human beings are a lot more sensitive to their environment than they may seem.”(Gladwell, 3) So I figured her being around so many girls and even guys wearing them made her feel as if she should also participate in this trend to “fit in”. People’s sensitivity to their environment is what allows new trends to evolve and constantly grow.
Beat headphones are a trend I have been noticing for a couple years now. I just started noticing them when I was in high school; everyone was always talking about them and how awesome they are, then I saw that more and more people were buying them and customizing them so they could have a different look. I don’t know where the trend originated from. People say that the reason they buy the headphones is because of the noise cancellation, Beats also delivers, clarity, and deep bass. The first people I saw wear these headphones were the kids from my high school and I don’t think that this particular trend help identify a certain because of the fact that they are headphones everyone who owns an iPod or cell phones or other such devices use headphones so we really can’t identify if they are from a certain group. I personally don’t see why we should spend hundreds of dollars on headphones, I am not interested in this headphones because I am not willing to pay so much but most people mostly teenagers buy them just because they see someone else wearing them and they know it is “in” so they have to have it. As Gladwell says " its things like how sociable they are, or how energetic or knowledgeable or influential among their peers"(Gladwell 3). I partially agree with this statement because I see people all the time just buy something because either they see someone wearing it or their friend has it so they have to have it but other time people just buy it because they like it and they want it and or need it.
ReplyDelete'Adidas Tracksuits'
ReplyDeleteI first noticed Adidas tracksuits on people who were at the gym or exercising at various other places. Later on, I began seeing them on television in music videos or movies. I think the first people to wear these tracksuits were athletes during practices. I started wearing the tracksuits because it was very comfortable and I thought it was a cool brand. Adidas also had very nice designs and I even started wearing the sneakers. When I started to wear my tracksuit to school I got a lot of compliments. After a couple of years passed I started to see these suits in the new music videos and even in commercials with different celebrities. After this happened, over the summer of 2010 kids in my high school began to wear the tracksuits. It then became a popular trend that year and appeared in my school’s yearbook under the ‘hottest fashion’ section.
To influence someone to do something you must get their attention then persuade them. You have to know what to say and also how to say it. “Stickiness means that a message makes an impact” (Gladwell, 4). In his book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell talks about how people have to remember something in order for them to be impacted or affected by it. One can also be influence by other people around them such as family members, children in school, or from the media. “It’s things like how sociable they are, or how energetic or knowledgeable or influential among their peers” (Gladwell, 3). When you see your favorite celebrity in an Adidas commercial, for instance, you adore them or their style so therefore you would most likely go out and buy that brand. Other important factors that can influence people are slogans and catchy phrases.
A trend that I have recently noticed is the new “Beats” headphones starting to be the headphone of choice among people. These are over priced headphones that cost three hundred fifty dollars and on top of that they break easily, but people still seem to want to buy them. As Malcolm Gladwell stated “It isn’t just prosaic factors like the weather that influence behavior” (Gladwell 3) This trend could have been started due to the fact that Dr. Dre released these headphones, a very iconic person in the world of hip-hop and the fact that celebrity’s have been using these headphones in public.
ReplyDeleteIts popularity has now brought new features with the “Beats” headphones. It is now available in different colors and is customizable in some stores, as opposed to the 1 color first offered when they were released. I bought these headphones thinking they will last a long time but they broke in one month. I got my warranty and sold them to a friend, to avoid future returns. But I will never buy them again.
Saggy pants/ pants below the waist
ReplyDeleteToday, every corner you turn too, and every street you look at, you will see this fashion trend. It is so common that people are trying to stop this trend. The trend; saggy pants otherwise known as, pants below the waist. Everybody has seen a person with saggy pants and has thought, “Pick those pants up “(Unless you wear your pants saggy too). People today have taken this trend to the extreme by wearing their pants as low as their knees. As disgusting as this sounds; it’s true. Believe it or not, I used to be one of the people walking around with saggy pants. Saggy pants originated in the U.S. prison system, where belts were not allowed. Inmates were given large pants with no belts, which made them wear their pants really low. There are many rumors as to how and why sagging pants came about but this one seems to be most sufficient and true. I first noticed the sagging of the pants on the streets, in school, and even on TV. This particular trend did and still does identify a particular group. Usually today, male teens are the ones who participate in this trend the most. According to elders that I have had interactions with; people who wear their pants saggy and below their waste are considered uneducated, and immodest. When I participated in this trend, a lot of people older than me called me “black” (not to be racist or anything). They called me this because this trend is most popular amongst African American teenagers.
The trend became so popular that a lot, if not all, rappers began participating in it. Since rappers and other music artists are most people’s role models today, everyone tried to be like the rappers with the saggy pants. That’s why I started wearing them saggy for a few months too. But then luckily I stopped. On page 2 of Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point, he writes, “Social epidemics work in the same way. They are also driven by the efforts of a handful of exceptional people. In this case, it’s not sexual appetites that set them apart. Its things like how sociable they are, or how energetic or knowledgeable or influential among their peers” (Gladwell, 2). This quote seems to be very true for the saggy pants fashion trend. As rappers and other types of influential people for teens began participating in the trend, their “followers” and fans began doing the same and still continue to do so today.
Hoodies are a fashion trend that I have noticed and participated in during the past three or four years. I first began to notice it a few years ago when I wore a regular jacket and most of my friends were hoodies. I then liked the trend so I bought myself one. It is like what Gladwell would say “It’s things like how sociable they are, or how energetic or knowledgeable or inflectional among their peers.” (Gladwell, 3).
ReplyDeleteThe original concept of the hoodie datas back to the middle ages when Catholic monks wore them, but the term hoodie was made popular around the 1990's. The making of the specific garment began in the 1930's. The hoodie was made most popular in the iconic appearance in the blockbuster film Rocky. The hoodie is most identified with the hip hop culture especially in New York City. The hoodie has since evolved into a symbol of isolation and academic spirit.