Catwalk Outrage : Judging UT fads

With the wonder of a magnificent winter landscape before us, it is understandable, although not necessarily acceptable, for the common rules of fashion to fall by the wayside. As it should be, practicality is the number one goal to be reached when in search of the warmest clothes of the season.

However, practicality should not in any way be tied to conformity.

While trends have the capability to be fashion forward and glamorous, they also possess the unfortunate quality that works its way into the minds of many, causing them to become crowd followers.

This is perhaps one of the worst mistakes that any style-savvy student can make.

Acquiescing to the fabrics and patterns of everyone around you is synonymous with losing originality, one trendy step at a time.

The Greeks on campus are notorious for dressing and accessorizing similarly, no matter the weather.

For some specific fraternities and sororities, it does not take a well-trained eye to spot a brightly colored selection of symbols embroidered on a "classy" pullover or book-carrying tote.

While there is nothing wrong with representing the name of the group to which you have pledged an incredibly vast amount of both time and money, the lack of wardrobe uniqueness may be bothersome to those who are more than willing to express actual creativity in their attire.

In this same way, students -- whether they are involved in Greek life or not, have a tendency to lose the originality normally expressed in clothing.

The North Face, for instance, is a brand crafted to face the cold. Ugg boots are aimed at comfort and warmth, although their durability facing the elements is slightly questionable.

There is no way of knowing exactly why these two well-known names in outerwear and footwear have seemed to so quickly climb the popularity charts. The chance that sheer warmth is being sought is possible; however, the constant and disappointing reality is that fads do exist.

In this case, fads come with a high price.

Upwards of $70 are being spent on cozy sweatshirts with not much more out of the ordinary than a small insignia on the upper left shoulder, not to mention winter coats nearing $300.

In addition, Uggs at their cheapest linger in the $120 range.

With prices as high as these, there must be a draw to these products stronger than just softness surrounding the arms and ankles.

If only fashion and practicality are responsible for numerous similarly-dressed folk, then that's that. If conformity, however, is to blame for these articles of clothing, it is time to reevaluate personal preferences and the obsolescent concept of fads.