Clothes do not define one's self
Luke Stanton
sophomore
This letter is in response to the Feb. 14 letter entitled, "What are your clothes saying?" To begin, the sweeping generalization that many Notre Dame girls dress in outfits such as, "skintight red tube tops, short black miniskirts, figures clearly revealed with little left to the imagination," is simply not true.
However, what is the problem if a Notre Dame girl does decide to dress in clothes that show off her figure? Often girls who dress to look good come under criticism for projecting a promiscuous image and a shallow attitude. They are assumed to be either wanton because they are dressed that way on purpose or naive because they don't understand what males will think when they see them dressed in that manner. These accusations are inaccurate.
Dressing to show off one's figure can demonstrate comfort, confidence and self-respect. Aesthetics are important in life and there is no shame in making one's appearance pleasing to others and to one's self. Students at this University sometimes dress up for tests, believing that if you look good and feel good that you will be successful and perform well.
Why should this idea be any different when it is applied to socializing and having fun? I see no reason that girls who place a value on looking good and being proud of their bodies should be criticized or demeaned in any way.
At its basic level the value of looking good and dressing a certain way is a personal choice and a personal opinion. To attempt to criticize or demean someone for holding this value is simply prejudiced. I find it ironic that it is the critics of girls who dress to look good that are the ones guilty of being shallow.
Critics of the girls who can comfortably show their bodies should instead take the time to examine themselves. Judging another individual based on appearance is one of the shallowest actions one can take. It shows a lack of maturity and deep-rooted insecurity.
If one is really looking for a meaningful relationship based on "intelligence, humor, integrity, loyalty and kindness," then one should avoid being judgmental and closed-minded. The time spent criticizing others and worrying about their image could be spent more effectively by minding one's own business.
Luke Stanton
sophomore
Morrissey Hall
February 15, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, February 16, 2001
