The Not Uniform Uniform

The first time that I experienced a strict dress code was when I spent the summer in Japan. I was part of an exchange program that presented me with the opportunity to study at a Japanese school. In American schools the dress code is very lax. It allows most styles and the enforcement of the code is very lax. It was another experience in Japan. School mandated top, skirt (pants or guys), socks, shoes , belts and bags were needed to enter the school. The school had an approved list of hairstyles for both genders. It was enforced by teachers, and unannounced uniform checks for the entire school. Teacher checked to make sure that shirts (and camisoles) were tucked in properly, and they measured hair length to be sure that it met school standards.
We may not have a school imposed uniform at Troy High, yet many people in our school dress the same way. Trends seem to be make uniforms in high schools. Some of them are easier to escape than others, but the pressure is always there to buy a certain brand or style of clothing. When we do see people with a personal aesthetic that differs from the norm, we stare and think how bizarre it seems. In a country that values self expression, it seems ironic that it is often limited by whatever trends are current.