Students use status symbols to fit in
Kory Phelps
Issue date: 11/16/09 Section: Lifestyles
Tiffanee Breitenbach, a senior communication major from Thompson Falls, Mont., said some major status symbols may include the type of jeans you wear. Miss Me, True Religion, MEK and Big Star are very prevalent on campus. Purses like Juicy, Coach, Burberry and Luis Vuitton are very popular, and are items girls notice more readily than guys.
Status symbols are not necessarily social camouflage, but can be part of an individualistic pursuit.
Breitenbach, who has the equivalent of a black belt in buying purses, finds her ownership to be more of a hobby than a quest for status. Working for various retail stores exposed her regularly to new fashion and showed her status is different with co-workers than with fellow students.
"People want to fit in; especially being in retail you become fashion conscious," Breitenbach said. "I do think that people look for what's in. How do I look cute? How do I fit in?"
However, people who aren't interested in fashion generally are not aware of the latest status symbols, Breitenbach said.
"I have a friend [who] is not very fashion conscious at all," Breitenbach said. "It doesn't matter [to her] at all what brand she wears."
The jeans you wear can possibly elevate you to an even higher status than your peers by getting the opposite sex interested in you enough to propose marriage.
"I definitely think [marriage is] a status symbol on campus," Breitenbach said. "The bigger the ring, the more people flaunt it. Being engaged or being married here is a huge deal."
Marriage is frequently discussed among students and even the photographer you use is a symbol of status, Breitenbach said.
Status symbols are the typical means most use to fit in, but college students' interest in status symbols have changed, Lafeen said.
"I think it's definitely not as important as it was in high school," Lafeen said.
Status symbols have not changed Lafeen's image of herself, but they have affected people with whom she is acquainted, she said.
Ultimately most agree that looking nice helps you, but denim is not the cure-all to fitting in, Breitenbach said.
"I'm more drawn to someone's personality than what they're wearing," Breitenbach said.
Status symbols are not necessarily social camouflage, but can be part of an individualistic pursuit.
Breitenbach, who has the equivalent of a black belt in buying purses, finds her ownership to be more of a hobby than a quest for status. Working for various retail stores exposed her regularly to new fashion and showed her status is different with co-workers than with fellow students.
"People want to fit in; especially being in retail you become fashion conscious," Breitenbach said. "I do think that people look for what's in. How do I look cute? How do I fit in?"
However, people who aren't interested in fashion generally are not aware of the latest status symbols, Breitenbach said.
"I have a friend [who] is not very fashion conscious at all," Breitenbach said. "It doesn't matter [to her] at all what brand she wears."
The jeans you wear can possibly elevate you to an even higher status than your peers by getting the opposite sex interested in you enough to propose marriage.
"I definitely think [marriage is] a status symbol on campus," Breitenbach said. "The bigger the ring, the more people flaunt it. Being engaged or being married here is a huge deal."
Marriage is frequently discussed among students and even the photographer you use is a symbol of status, Breitenbach said.
Status symbols are the typical means most use to fit in, but college students' interest in status symbols have changed, Lafeen said.
"I think it's definitely not as important as it was in high school," Lafeen said.
Status symbols have not changed Lafeen's image of herself, but they have affected people with whom she is acquainted, she said.
Ultimately most agree that looking nice helps you, but denim is not the cure-all to fitting in, Breitenbach said.
"I'm more drawn to someone's personality than what they're wearing," Breitenbach said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Sam
posted 11/22/09 @ 6:43 PM MST
This is ridiculous. Jeans may help you get married?? I am married and I doubt my husband even knows what brand of jeans I like to wear.
Also, when I tell people of campus that I'm married, no one has asked me what photographer I used or need to see my wedding ring. (Continued…)
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posted 11/24/09 @ 4:33 PM MST
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George
posted 11/28/09 @ 10:27 PM MST
"The jeans you wear can possibly elevate you to an even higher status than your peers by getting the opposite sex interested in you enough to propose marriage. (Continued…)
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