How to Develop a Personal Style [Tuesday]
Students were instructed today to meet in their regular classroom, where they'd find Irene dressed in an understated black dress and plain black pumps. Of course, if they were looking carefully (or really, not even that carefully), they might notice her scarf, earrings and watch. Perhaps that was a clue!
Perhaps, also, the school uniforms that Irene had laid out -- don't ask where or how she'd gotten ahold of the uniforms that had been imposed on students a few years ago, but she'd found enough to go around -- would also serve as a clue. Perhaps also the jewelry and accessories she'd laid out on the table beside them would also serve as a clue!
Maybe Irene didn't even need to talk today, what with all these clues.
"Sometimes," she said, with a smile in greeting, "we don't get to choose our clothing. Sometimes clothing is thrust upon us. You might not have to wear these now, but at one time, people here did. And what's more, while you might not ever have to wear a school uniform in your adult life, you might be saddled with another, even less-flattering garment. A police officer's blues, perhaps. Or a sales uniform. Or -- " She gave an exxagerated little shudder. "Scrubs. Now, you might not always be able to dress it up as much as you'd like, but when we can't control our clothing, we must control our accessories. I'd like all of you to change into these sad, drab garments -- use the screens," she added, gesturing vaguely lest anyone think they were meant to strip down in the middle of class, "and then add some accessories that you think would manage to still convey your style, in spite of someone else's fashion wants being imposed upon you."
She clapped her hands together lightly, adding, "You can't modify the uniforms in any way -- from what I hear, that was a good way to get detention, even if I'd applaud you for it. You can only add things to it."
Perhaps, also, the school uniforms that Irene had laid out -- don't ask where or how she'd gotten ahold of the uniforms that had been imposed on students a few years ago, but she'd found enough to go around -- would also serve as a clue. Perhaps also the jewelry and accessories she'd laid out on the table beside them would also serve as a clue!
Maybe Irene didn't even need to talk today, what with all these clues.
"Sometimes," she said, with a smile in greeting, "we don't get to choose our clothing. Sometimes clothing is thrust upon us. You might not have to wear these now, but at one time, people here did. And what's more, while you might not ever have to wear a school uniform in your adult life, you might be saddled with another, even less-flattering garment. A police officer's blues, perhaps. Or a sales uniform. Or -- " She gave an exxagerated little shudder. "Scrubs. Now, you might not always be able to dress it up as much as you'd like, but when we can't control our clothing, we must control our accessories. I'd like all of you to change into these sad, drab garments -- use the screens," she added, gesturing vaguely lest anyone think they were meant to strip down in the middle of class, "and then add some accessories that you think would manage to still convey your style, in spite of someone else's fashion wants being imposed upon you."
She clapped her hands together lightly, adding, "You can't modify the uniforms in any way -- from what I hear, that was a good way to get detention, even if I'd applaud you for it. You can only add things to it."