L A C I P Y T O E R E ST FASHION
FASHION
Worldwide fashion stereotypes;
focusing on England, France, Texas and Japan.
W
e can’t help it. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we all think of stereotypes; it’s in our nature. Whether it’s with certain activities that we take part in, or with what school we go to, we all think in stereotypes and are even apportioned them by other people. They’re not always a positive thing; sometimes times they can be used as a good inside joke but other times they can be damaging. Having said that, after watching a lot of American TV shows, it’s occurred to me that the Americans have an idea of what all British people act like. Usually we are pictured drinking a beloved cup of tea, while most likely watching the rain fall outside our windows and talking with Dick Van Dyke’s “Cockney” accent. Now, we know this is not all true - fair enough a cup of tea is a great relief from the constant down pour of rain - but it’s interesting to realise how the world sees us Britons. Therefore, I thought that I would see how we perceive other cultures. So let’s take an imaginary trip just across the sea to France, the home of the language of love and the land where the Eiffel Tower proudly stands. Whenever I think of France, I can’t help but picture a man wearing a striped top, sporting a dodgy moustache while proudly cycling around a village from days yonder with a baguette in his bicycle’s wicker basket, a beret firmly on his head in place of a cycle helmet. I’m not entirely sure where I ever got this image from but for some reason this is firmly placed in my mind, along with the picture that all French people
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sport garlic necklaces, as though they’re permanently trying to ward off vampires. Before I offend anyone, I know that this isn’t true (unless there is a tiny village of vampire slayers in the midst of the country side) and that the only difference between us British and the French is the language barrier. However, in spite of this, I’m pretty sure that I will still want to buy a souvenir beret when I visit Paris on the Rouen Trip. The next stop on our trip of stereotypes is out in the Far East, in the land of new technology and a culture which we see as completely different from our own, Japan. I have never been to Japan - the closest I’ve ever been is having a wonder around Tokyo on Google Maps - and even though I know that Japan is a very forward Country and is a place where most of our modern technology comes from, I can’t help but think of an image of a gaggle of Geishas all tottering around on their ‘zori’ sandals with their hair in buns higher than Marge Simpson’s fro could ever achieve. Again, I know that the modern day Japanese person doesn’t dress like this, but I do have reason for my stereotype this time! Geishas are firmly set in the history of Japan, and there are still some Geisha schools in Japan who perform the traditional dances of the Geisha, even if it is just for the tourists who want to transport themselves into Ancient Japan. For the final stop on our tour, let’s venture across the waters to the United States of America, to the
Article written by Steff Spencer
Southern States like Texas and Tennessee. The closest I’ve ever been to the Southern States is through watching the Hannah Montana Movie, so that’s why I think this stereotype is pretty true (but only if you count the Hannah Montana Movie as being factual). To help you see what I’m imagining, think Woody from Toy Story - to put it into simple terms, a cowboy; a lasso throwing, horse riding, stirrupwearing cowboy. I have to admit that when I was younger, I loved (and still love) watching the Toy Story movies, and when number 2 came out and introduced the character of Jessie, that’s when I decided I wanted to be a cowgirl. That’s why, if I do ever take a trip to the Southern States, I’m hoping to be greeted by a pack of cowboys riding bareback waiting to whisk me away to a ranch and teach me how to be a true cowgirl. Seeing as the probability of that is extremely unlikely, I’ll settle for thinking that the entire population of Texans travel on horseback even for their weekly supermarket shop. But let me point out that I don’t want to be a cowgirl anymore, but only due to the upsetting fact that I discovered I’m allergic to horses! So I hope you’ve enjoyed our little trip around the world, and that in the future you might venture to some of the countries to discover what the culture and the people are really like (and if you’d fancy taking me with you, I promise that I’ll share my toy Jessie with you, she yodels and everything!).
Jersey College Gazette