Article by: Brayden Varr

Originality in fashion is something that never seems to be quite obtained.  As soon as one person finds the new “fad,” everyone quickly catches on.  Then there are those people who complain about how they originated the style, and how everyone else is “copying” them. Additionally, the massive, widespread trendiness of certain styles becomes overpowering and one may wonder “why is this fashionable?”

Other than the giant hobo purses and 1950s-style sunglasses, the spandex-like material that covers many young women’s legs around campus is simply out of hand.  At any given moment, on any given day, with one quick scan anyone could spot the brown, black, navy, pink, teal (and the occasional zebra print) leggings. When the leggings initially reappeared on the market, the look was admired by many, including myself.

However, the overload and overuse of this “accessory” is overkill.

Throughout fashion history there have been fads, and there has been overkill.  The question of the matter is why humans feel the overwhelming desire to express their individuality by dressing the same?

In regards to the leggings dilemma, or even previous fashion faux-pas, the trend appears to be: begin with an original and unique idea, people catch on slowly, they become more “individual” and hip, and finally, the trend explodes and becomes an obsession.  Although it can be argued that everyone should dress to impress, why can’t a person maintain their own style and impress with their own uniqueness?

I myself may not be the creator of a fad, a follower, or someone who may even participate in some sort of fashion.  I could be simply considered an observationalist.   I dress to how I want and feel, and who’s to say whether that is wrong or right?

The overload of leggings is a perfect example of how a unique idea of style can turn terribly wrong.  However, I don’t care how long you may or may not have been sporting these tights, because that doesn’t matter.  The copious amounts of leggings are still all over the place, they’re still annoying, and it doesn’t matter who wore them “first.”