Summary:
Semiotic analysis of clothes and shoes and what they mean to me.
Ever since I was a little girl, clothes and shoes have been important to me. I loved picking out my own outfits for school, and finding just the right color Keds or sandals to match. It truly was a passion. Even now, many years later, here I am, the same shopaholic and fashion maniac I have always been. After researching semiotics, which in short, is the method of interpreting signs and finding a deeper meaning in everyday activities, I realize, that my reasoning for choosing the clothes and shoes that I chose, is deeper, than just the fact that I looked cute, it was a choice of statements I was making each and every time. The question is what statements did I make?
Recently, on a trip through Europe I bought myself some new shoes, that I completely adore. Not only are they incredibly comfortable, but they are stylish and chic too. The real deal is, they are Diesel shoes, and cost me around $150, which is definitely not a normal amount for me to spend on shoes. I realized that I most likely would never have bought them if I hade not seen the name Diesel on the back (not even at half the price) because, they are somewhat of a status symbol. When people see you wearing Diesel shoes, they know you spent a pretty penny on them, and they are impressed. Not that I am out to make anyone think I have loads of money, but it feels good when people walk up to you and say things like, "Wow, I love your shoes. Diesel shoes are so awesome." It just makes you feel good, about the way you look and about your keen sense of fashion. Not that diesel shoes have always been this way, shifts in popularity make them the symbol that they are. When I wear thee shoes, I am saying that
fashion is important enough to me that I am willing and able to spend hundreds of dollars on
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shoes. Every outfit decision makes a statement, whether you realize it or not, and people form opinions and stereotypes about you based on those symbols whether they realize it or not. Not to say its right or wrong, it just is.
Another item I wish to discuss, in semiotic terms are my old, faded, black sweat pants, or as I like to call them my comfy clothes. Now, there not new, hip or expensive, but they are some of my favorite pants in the whole world. I wear, them when I want to be comfortable and casual, and when I am not trying to impress anyone. I would never think of wearing them to work, church, or on a date. But why not? What make it okay to go shopping in, but not good enough for dinner and a movie with a guy. Well, before I knew about semiotics, I would say its just common sense, but now I know that it is deeper than that. When you wear something, anything, no matter what it is, it makes a statement. Wearing old worn-out sweat pants to work at the dance store, might say to a customer, that I don't take this job seriously and that I don't respect the customer enough to make myself presentable for them. Whether or not more clean cut clothes makes someone a better person, I would be more likely to buy something from salesperson who looked like they took there job seriously and cared enough to wear something professional to work. The statement you make with your clothes also depends on the location of which you are at when you are wearing them.
While I have analyzed two items in which I own, using the semiotic method, its important to keep in mind that everything people say, do, wear all has semiotic meaning. Because the definition of a sign is so diverse, "Anything that bears a meaning. Words, objects, images, forms of behavior are all signs whose meanings are determined by the particular codes or systems they appear", pp.804, you can find signs and symbols in anything. Its your job to find them.
This is the complete article, containing 697 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
