Rags & Chit Chat: Fashion Speaks Louder Than Words

The effortlessly elegant bride graces the aisle as her Vera Wang gown dances across the flowered tile. The groom’s Armani suit awkwardly accented with a DSquared ascot is a perfect description of his classic yet modern demeanor. He stands confident and strong as a vulnerable tear falls from his jagged chin. Witness the marriage of fashion and culture.Honestly it’s not the most surprising union, after all they have co existed since their birth. In fact, anyone that loves either one would surely attest that they can not exist without one another. The fruit of their union brings us here today, an eclectic child that they appropriately named- Rags & Chit Chat.



Rags & Chit Chat is a cultural voice of fashion everywhere that it lives. The fashion and culture column is based out of Atlanta, GA and was birthed from The Urbanite Magazine of Georgia State University. Consider it your culture and style GPS helping you to navigate through the diverse jungle that is the culture and fashion. Look here for the latest news about upcoming trends, fashion events, classic style and the culture that simultaneously feeds and breathes life from its own art.



Fashion has existed for as long as there has been any form of society. In every civilization fashion has been an indicator of various things, most notably your social status and the social group that you identify with. So, I ask you, my dear reader, what does your style say about you? The previously naked Adam and Eve’s new found style revealed their knowledge of good and evil. Similarly, a $7 T-shirt paired with $300 True Religion skinnies accented by an $800 pair of Christian Louboutan ankle boots says volumes about a particular young lady’s appreciation for the simpler and much finer things in life. The idea is that what you have to say isn’t just coming out of your mouth; your appearance speaks too.



So, I hit the streets to find out what GSU students were talking about.The population at Georgia State University is refreshingly diverse. On any given day you can be sure to find a reflection of all life styles; amongst the many you can easily spot your punk rockers, cross dressers, preps, b- boys and girls and of course the many divas that roam the GSU streets from Courtland to Gilmer. When asked how to describe her personal style, senior Denitra Gober expresses it as “eclectic”. She further explains how her personal look changes from day to day “one day Geisha doll, the next Keisha from around the way and the next Heather with my books”. It’s that very idea of what you wear as a reflection of the character you want to play that day, that is at the heart of personal style. Fashion is the freedom to be whomever you please for as long as you have on your favorite Jackie O’s or Parisian beret. It is the ability to maneuver easier within those characters that makes certain individuals so unique.



Even with that being said, and acknowledging that we all love to believe that we are truly unique (this is possible but very rare in our culture) the reality is no matter what you wear, it undoubtedly puts you in a category. Consider racial profiling towards young black men. Black men categorized as urban are more victimized than their conservative counterparts. Unfortunately, a young Black man wearing a white tee and Jordan’s has more of a chance of being discriminated against than his brother wearing a Polo sweater and loafers. We have digressed from a culture whose view of clothing was rooted in functionality to a culture that views fashion and style as an extension of an individuals’ personality.



In this highly aesthetic world that we exist in we must constantly evaluate our self image and the assumptions that go along with that image daily. So, remember always dress for success because looking a mess is just not an option.