A squirrel on campus finds a way to deal with the cold like a conformist; gaining winter weight.
The latest dumping of snow has definitely brought out the winter gear, including Timberlands and long black bubble coats. Every where I go, I see guys wearing the tan, leather, rugged outdoor boots known as Timberlands, or Timbs. I see women wearing long black bubble coats. These are the latest trends, and while most people consider themselves individualists, as shown in the Lecture Tools activity on Tuesday, November 18, when the majority of college students dress alike, wearing Timbs and long black bubble coats, it actually classifies us as conformists.
John Mill states in his book, On Liberty, in Chapter 3, a reason why students function in a conformist way according to society, “individual spontaneity is hardly recognised by the common modes of thinking”. Relating to college students, this sentence, implied by society, is saying that there is no benefit to being different. All guys should wear Timberlands all the time, and women need to wear black bubble coats every time we’re seen outside. If the majority highly regards this trend, it is surely terrific enough for everyone.
Contrary to their original use, college students don’t wear Timbs for any form of manual labor. Funny.
But, then, good ol’ Mill rallies back. He basically says that it’s important to question why people are doing the same things, buying the same Timbs, and purchasing the same coats. Does this mean that college students who wear Timbs are blue collar?…No.
He encourages people to ponder the functionality behind cultural trends with the statement, “He who does anything because it is the custom, makes no choice..” If a men and women make the decision to wear Timbs or black bubble coats, simply because everyone else is wearing them, they are dumbing down to society. Mill pushes society to seek the pros and cons of blending in with the crowd.
There are definite, plausible reasons for these trends in fashion. Timbs are waterproof, insulated, provide ankle support, feature heavy tread, and are nearly indestructible. The same could be said for black bubble long coats. They are cozy, fashionable, and provide warm for the lower half of the body, in addition to the upper half. The reason why these items are trending is because their functionality is through the roof. But, if a person does not complete their research before buying Timbs or a black bubble long coat, there could be something better out there.
Flour sacks, back in the day, were used to make shoes.
Originality pays off here. Mill praises individualists, “There is always need of persons not only to discover new truths, and point out when what were once truths are true no longer…” He hails the person that goes out and researches Bogs, a opportunity to find a better winter boot. He applauds the person that finds a pink winter trenchcoat. It is important to have individualistic people in the world, because without them we would all feel and look the same. However, an important point Mill makes is shown through the functionality of both the Timbs and long black bubble coat. As long as you choose to wear them for a good reason, you’re okay because you are not simply conforming, but rather making a choice. Still, the people branching out are the nonconformists and without them, we would be living in the past, using flour sacks for shoes.
Touchdown Theory 
Well that’s an eye-opener on conformists for sure. When I was looking around to get new winter boots, Timbs definitely came up first everywhere (to be honest, they annoy me due to their conformity); but they are pretty well made… Trying to be a little original, at least in my sense, I got something different which was more or less the same in feature but its looks (it was still Timberlands though so still conforming but whatevs). Reading your reasoning behind how Mills would approve of this conforming for its practicality made me look at conforming another way. I always thought it was “basic” and unoriginal. But since doing what you think best is what Mills believes to be the first thing to consider, buying certain apparel based on functionality is acceptable. Though if you are buying them simply because other people are wearing them, then, well let’s be honest, you’re just a conformist with no real thought involved in bettering your life or state of affairs (as Mills puts it). After reading this, I’ll definitely tone down my judging of people conforming a bit as long as their reasons are sound… but if its simply for the sake of conforming -I’m still judging hardcore.
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This is great observation about winter fashion trends and an even better connection to Mills theory about individualism and conformity. You really captured Mill’s main points. Explaining how if people are following these trends simply because everyone else is Mill would not approve but you made sure to include that if people are following these trends because they themselves have come to the conclusion that these are the best products for them then Mill does approve. The only thing I would say I didn’t totally agree with was when you talked about Mill applauding all those who didn’t stick to these trends. Yes Mill applauds individualism but only if the individual has reason for what they are doing. If an individual choses to not wear Timbs simply because they don’t want to conform they are doing just as little thinking as the conformists. However I really did like this post and I will now think a little more when I put on my boots.
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Amen!!! I completely agree with your statement about the winter style conformity. I am from out of state and have never had to buy winter gear before. Walking around campus has been an experience for sure. As soon as there was the first snow, everyone broke out their winter boots (timbs) and like you said, the girls started to wear their black coats everywhere. This was a very weird sight for me. Having never seen either of these, it was strange to see everyone wearing them all at once. I can now go into one of my classes and can guarantee that I will see a pair of Timbs and a black winter coat. Students here are truly conformists, but like you said, there are valid reasons to have these winter items. I have had to do a lot of research on what winter items I need and both of those are highly recommended. In this case, conformity is not a bad thing– it is practical. Conformity is not a bad thing. It allows everyone to be prepared for winter with high quality products. Overall, I think this was a very interesting blog that did a great job of using real world examples to connect to a reading in class.
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