I have mixed feelings about the student sent home for wearing a camouflage outfit.
The reporter had fun:
Shilo Lewis just wanted to blend in with the crowd.
Did the school spokesman really say "some camouflaged students meld into the scenery," or was the reporter paraphrasing?
Most amazing is the mother's insistence is that the outfit was okay because the girl was "dressed from head to toe matching." Mama always encouraged that, of course. Can you imagine the matching mother/daughter outfits of their recent past?
Would Mama encourage her little darling wear one of these? Matches head to toe, so it must be good.
Head to toe matching anything sounds so not fashionable for any occasion other than a wedding or debutante ball. Both the Lewis women should read this:
So what's the attraction? Uniform equals strong, and strong equals sexy. Also the broad colour spectrum means you can mix and match with just about anything already in your wardrobe. Camo works particularly well in a block-colour plus camo combo. On the flip side camo on camo is not a great idea unless you are in the armed services and about to commando roll your way across town. Although a personal rule is “More is more”, too much camouflage is a very bad thing. In relation to military style in camo colours, an epaulet here, a pocket there, a badge placed with coordinated abandon and you have struck camo sheik.
“I think it's best to choose one item and leave it for people to find it themselves, don't throw it in their faces,” says Ms Walsh. “A fitted army-green military jacket with super skinny denim jeans and stiletto boots is a look that can't be done wrong, unless it's on the wrong body, that is, an unconfident body. You have to work it.” Instant attitude with kick-ass connotations. Make a statement through understatement. That's if people notice you.
A poorly developed sense of style shouldn't get you sent home.
I have to admit I'm not up to date on current styles and had failed to notice that camouflage was in style, again. I wonder what reasoning is behind this response to the mother's argument that her daughter's clothing wasn't revealing or vulgar and that others at school weren't sent home for wearing camouflage:
"We might not catch everyone, just like police don't always catch every speeding driver on the highway,” Jack said. “She was covered, but it was military dress, and we've decided at the school that isn't allowed.”
Compare that to the remark by the Headmaster:
“This has nothing to do with the military. We allow Reserve Officer Training Corps to wear military gear because they wear it in a respectful manner. It's the gang relation. If it's controversial or if it has gang associations, we won't have it,” Samaras said.
Unless JROTC has changed a lot, those students don't wear camouflage military gear, or BDU's, except at summer camp or for special team events. They are generally issued Class A or Class B uniforms to wear to school on uniform days.
I wonder what the school rules are on wearing stars and stripes? Would a flag patch on a blue jean jacket get you sent home? Is aging biker out this year, aging hippie in?
The idea that if a gang chooses a color, or in this case -- a print -- it must be banned simply "empowers" the gang. How important would their "colors" be if everyone wore them? Imagine white dresses banned because the KKK wears white robes.
Police Chief Edward Davis confirmed that many different gangs wear camouflage as a reflection of current styles in movies and on television.
Since when did gangs acquire exclusive title to current styles?
I'm left wondering if the school is trying to subtly discourage interest in the military, or hunting, or anything remotely related to guns, by banning the wearing of the camo. Perhaps they are simply trying to avoid controversy, but all this banning stuff really annoys my anti-authoritarian side. (Be sure to read that last link all the way to the end, including comments.)
