We all belong to a group. Be it a project group, a group of your closest friends, or a group formed for social purposes, a group allows us to interact, and it meets our interpersonal needs for inclusion, control, and affection. Being in a group also helps people to open up and express their identity without no fear, because of the interdependence formed, and it also gives off a shared identity, which I believe is seen in bands, especially in their dressing.


Punk band The Ramones


Post-hardcore band Underoath


Indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie


New Rave band New Young Pony Club

Heavy metal band Motley Crue

Notice how each group gives off a collective identity and how members of each group look somewhat identical, be it in their dressing or hairstyle. http://yourscenesucks.com is a website portraying exaggerated stereotypes of people in the music scene.

Though groupthink refers to groups believing they can do no wrong in their actions, I feel that the symptoms of groupthink can be applied to a group's sense of dressing as well. Walk along the streets and we see groups with long-haired boys, groups with people dressed only in black, groups of people in flamboyant colours, groups and groups of people who look and act the same. Illusion of invulnerability tells them that they look good, and if a prospective member feels out of place, collective rationalisations convince him or her that the group identity is a good one. Now, if you find certain groups strange, don't go telling them how you feel because their shared stereotypes will deem them to see you as stupid and not knowing better.

But to each his own, I say. My group of friends and I have a lot of shared interests, and I believe friends have the ability to influence us in many ways, whether consciously or not. Think of you and your group of friends. What do you think your shared collective identity is? What are your common interests, and is there a particular style of dressing you share which you might even be unaware of?