[before & after photos]
Describe what you tried to do
I am a rather anxious person, so naturally an activity like this would cause me to be very nervous. To solve this, I asked a friend to accompany me as I ask a few people what they thought my major and my name is. I approached several people in the Starbucks library and quickly asked if they would answer just two questions for my class assignment. Along the way my friend would also makes some interesting comments about what the participants responded with.
As far as picking my outfit, I had a bit of difficulty choosing what to wear. I found this hard because for me, if I do not like what I am wearing I feel very uncomfortable. I was worried that I would not be able to find an outfit that is both different and keeps me comfortable. So, my solution was to wear a style I love, but never really tried to wear normally out in public. I started with my mustard yellow pants; I love these pants but before today I have only worn them out once. Based on my outfits from my favorite YouTube channel called “Best Dressed,” I ended up with the outfit I wore in the photo. Since this activity was wear something different and wear something that is a “fabricated identity” I took the opportunity to wear something I have been wanting to wear but never had the motivation to do. The main article of clothing I am referring to is my pants. I usually wear black or blue jeans and I have never really felt comfortable to experiment with colored pants even though I enjoy the aesthetic of colored or pattern pants.
What were their reactions to you? What did they think your name was? Your major? Did you find them responding to you differently than people ordinarily do?
After asking the participants the two questions, most of them did not answer right away, and instead took a couple seconds to study my outfit. None of them seemed bothered, I think the participants were okay with the assignment because it was only two questions that they had to answer. (What do my think my major is?) Most of the participants thought my major was Art. I figured this would be a popular answer since my outfit followed a “modern-day aesthetic color palette,” and those colors stereotypically are pastels, mustard yellow, and/or olive/moss green. I also wore hair barrettes that matched the colors of my outfit and typically people believe only artists pay attention to little details such as color coordination of accessories. However, I was surprised when one person suggested that I was an English major. (What do you think my name is?) Some of the names I got from people included Angie, Leslie, Jessica, and a couple “Samathas.” Jessica was paired with “an English major.
This activity was different because typically people don’t consciously try to guess ones major based on what he/she/they are wearing. Most of the time, people ask “what is your major” instead of trying to assume based on outfit choices. Although as humans we constantly make assumptions about a person based on appearance, questions such as “what is your name” and “what is your major” are not common conscious assumptions we make about people. Instead we just ask those questions because the other person is able to answer. There are some exceptions, such as when people say “oh, you look like a (name).”
Your conclusions about the experience?
Although my outfit choice was not a major change in my normal style, this activity prompted me to wear something I have been wanting to experience with (such as the colored pants). As far as the participants’ reaction, I had already anticipated that people would assume that I was an art major. Stereotypically, art majors dress with a more “vintage” or “aesthetic” style compared to just plain jeans and a T-shirt. I believe this is a common stereotype because artists tend to express themselves creatively through many different kinds of media. I also strongly believe that fashion/style is also a form of creative expression. So, most people who also believe clothing are a form of creative expression might expect artists to also show their creativity through their own clothing, even though that is not always the case. I did not have any expectations for the names, but I did find it humorous that when I put on my outfit in the morning I have expected someone to name me Samantha, and coincidentally both a participant and my friend said I did look like a Samantha.
Brianna 