I personally don't believe in clothes ... I think clothes should have only one purpose: to keep people warm
Well then, Chrissi, no doubt YOU will make some headlines when you attend the Academy Awards! (Though even balmy Southern California can get cool at night in February, so you might want to at least bring a shawl)!
OK, none of this is earth-shakingly important, but because it's kind of interesting (and what else do we have to talk about, anyway? war? poverty? environmental destruction? Nahhh ...).
As humans living in society, we are aware of clothing norms and expectations. We can choose to meet them ... or not. There shouldn't be rigidly enforced "rules" either way. But people who choose not to follow expectations are making a choice, for a reason. They're sending a message, and it's interesting to try to decode what message they have in mind.
If someone appears at a formal event in formal clothes, they're making a statement: I'm willing to follow the traditions associated with this event. If someone else shows up in a T-shirt and jeans, they're
also making a statement, though its meaning isn't as obvious. Perhaps they're saying, "I don't care about clothes." Or "For me, comfort is much more important than formality." Or maybe it's "This event thnks it's important, but I don't take it seriously." Whatever it is, they're saying
something.Now what if someone appears at a formal event wearing clothes that aren't just informal but are actually outré -- striped socks, "hell" T-shirt, etc.? That person is
really making a statement. Nobody looks into their closet, sees a tuxedo on one side and striped socks on the other and picks the latter because they think it looks better. The question is, what is the statement they are making? Is it:
"Here's what I think of all the fussy formality surrounding these silly awards!"
or
"I'm playing the Joker in a new movie and I'm really getting into the role!"
or
"I'm carefree and madcap and unconventional!"
Or what??!