The article under discussion reflects on the notion of thinness and its increasingly growing popularity among young girls. The author considers this current tendency and tries to explain it through the lenses of anorexic girls who use dieting in pursuit of beauty standards. Johnson claims that fat is alien to any human body, making it shapeless and amorphous (652). At this point, thinness helps to wear the most beautiful clothes and make them fit better. This article proves the fact that clothes is a means of people’s self-expression. However, people can express not only their desire to look better but also their economical, cultural, and political views through their clothes. Let us consider a T-shirt as political clothing.
As a rule, a T-shirt is an attribute of casual style. However, it also can be a means of expression of a certain political message. According to Smith, “famous business people and politicians are known to be consistent with their wardrobe because it’s their brand identity” (par. 6).
For example, Zuckerberg, a Facebook CEO, owns about 20 grey T-shirts. Although it is not expressed directly, a dress is a trademark of a person’s attitudes. Being an intermediate color between black and white, grey is considered a neutral color. It is often preferred by business people to identify their personality. In particular, Zuckerberg’s preference for grey T-shirts can be regarded as a neutral position to politics or his liberal viewpoint.
Personally, I have no political T-shirts. Nevertheless, it is possible to suggest that such messages as an expression of a person’s political preference in support of a certain party can be sufficient to put on a T-shirt. In their turn, some politicians use a T-shirt as an attribute to provide in their election campaigns. In particular, writing their slogans calling to vote for a certain candidate and designing them in an appropriate color, politicians are likely to attract more population.
Furthermore, several designers create clothes with the politicians’ names and prints. For instance, Sonia Rykiel, a prominent French designer, “made a political statement with a collegiate look with Obama” (“Revisiting Sonia Rykiel’s Most Memorable Catwalk Moments” par. 1).
This can be aimed at support of the idea of patriotism and proud in one’s country and promote political upbringing of adolescents. Another possible message can be associated with opposition to politics accepted by a state. People can wear T-shirts calling for prohibition of a political reform or a potential action revealed through an inscription or pictures that are typically marked by red color due to its aggressive nature.
However, why a T-shirt? I guess that this form of clothing is one of the most popular ones nowadays. People choose it to wear on a daily basis and add some accessories when visiting formal meetings. Therefore, the expression of political views through a T-shirt becomes quite widespread among different people, either politicians or ordinary ones. Both of them can use prints, symbols, slogans, or specific colors to convey the message to the public.
Speaking of the effectiveness, it is essential to point out that this method can be regarded as one that is highly effective. On the one hand, it helps a sender to formulate his or her ideas and identify a political position. On the other hand, it serves as a useful tool to employ in political games.
Works Cited
Johnson, Rebecca. “The Body Myth.” Vogue, vol. 186, no. 9, 1996, pp. 652-57.
“Revisiting Sonia Rykiel’s Most Memorable Catwalk Moments.” The Telegraph. 2016. Web.
Smith, Jacquelyn. “Steve Jobs Always Dressed Exactly the Same. Here’s Who Else Does.” Forbes. 2012. Web.