Label overload

By Brittany Carava
FEATURE EDITOR
@brittcarava

I like to think that I’m a pretty keen observer. I enjoy looking at the details, the small little clues in movies or images in magazines or other print media.

The details that I have been noticing the most lately are the ones printed on every article of clothing or accessory I see on campus.

I look around my classrooms and count at least three Lululemon logos on yoga pants, multiple pairs of Nikes, Camelback water bottles, Longchamp bags and more.

What I am curious about is who or what group decided that these were the labels that every college student, or more specifically every USD student, should be wearing.

Maybe it’s like what the famous “Mean Girls” quote alluded to, “Regina George wore army pants and flip-flops, so I wore army pants and flip-flops.”

Maybe there is a group of influencers like the character of Regina George who create what the status quo or trends are on campus. But again, who decides who these influencers are?

I also find it interesting to see different trends come from different corners of the country. West Coast students might have yoga pants and Rainbow flip-flops, while students from the Pacific Northwest have Northface jackets and the students from the East Coast have everything Vineyard Vines or Lilly Pulitzer.

I have to admit I am definitely guilty of committing what I like to call “label overload,” but I do make an attempt to think out of the box when making my decisions while I shop.

It’s not that I don’t like these brands or I don’t want to support their companies, I just think that it is important to recognize individuality every once in a while.

One of my favorite things about shopping in Europe this past summer was that I was able to select a sundress that was handmade in France and I knew that no one else at USD would have it.

I think it is worth it to try something new by visiting a local Buffalo Exchange, another consignment shop or a local boutique, there might be treasures waiting for you that you will love even more than your old clothes and want to start your own trend away from the status quo.