The Fashion Question

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by  Caleb Leong

Ear studs, body piercings, and tattoos, topped with stylishly waxed hair in the latest tints.

Come weekends, when the school uniforms are gladly thrown off, Singapore’s youths are at their most expressive – it doesn’t matter if they’re not heard, but they sure dress to be seen.

Fashion-conscious youths

Are youths of today truly more fashion-conscious? Apparently so, a check with long-time youth workers such as teachers and counselors reveals.

And they know not from walking down Orchard Road during weekends, but from what they have observed in school. Yes, it seems today’s youths are not only more conscious fashion-wise, they are also more assertive. School rules – ranging from no highlights in hair, no ear studs, to how much of one’s shirt can be tucked out – just don’t sit well with this generation.

Secondary 5 student Jeremiah Kwan, 16, said it all for his peers: “There is no crime in dressing up your own style!”.

The right to dress as we like

Students often question the schools’ system and the rules set, and demand their right and freedom to dress as they wish. In fact, it is not uncommon to hear this argument: If teachers can wear what they want, why can’t we?

Such rights, however, have to be earned, said Mrs Joyce Ang, Vice-Principal of St Andrew’s Secondary School. And you qualify when you reach adulthood.

“Even as an adult, the working society requires the young adults to dress appropriately.”

Agreeing, Mr Roger Ng, a school counselor with 13 years of teaching and counseling experience under his belt – plus another four years teaching teens in a Christian youth ministry – observes that youngsters nowadays tend to want and demand more. Thanks to the Internet, teenagers are exposed to trends all around the world.

“Personally, I have no problem with teenagers following the latest fashion trends during weekends and school holidays, especially when they look good. However, I think that teenagers need to realise that when we go into our work environment, we need to dress appropriately for the nature of the job. Our society has certain expectations of dress codes for the various industries.”

He cites Singapore Airlines as a case in point. It is a leading international airline with a world class brand image, and many aspire to work for it. But mind you, the cabin crew has to undergo an exacting training after which they are expected to abide by standard ways of greeting, speech, and serving procedures. Their uniform is their pride, and they follow guidelines right down to how they coif their hair and the colour of their manicure.

Both Mrs Ang and Mr Ng could not stress enough the critical role one’s image plays in scholarship and job interviews. And the latest “in” do, most of the time, simply won’t do.

What are your views on allowing teenagers free – or freer – expression in style and appearance in school?