Those whose lives are greatly effected by the importance of appearance are often regarded as shallow by the rest of the population; their seemingly frivolous nature teases the judgmental nature of most. But perhaps there is more to outward appearance than we may first suppose. Perhaps in concluding it shallow so quickly we are the ones being truly short sighted.

Growing up is confusing for a child as it is, having to learn how the world works. It may be made easier if there was some consistent guideline given about the implications of appearance. My parents always told me that it was important I be my own person and not take into account the thoughts of other people. However, there was always the unspoken hope from them (understandably) that I fit in at school, and amongst other people. Unfortunately, at school the easiest way to fit in is to be like other people; the sheep conclusion contradicting the “be yourself” agenda.

Clothes, make up, skin tone (you can fake everything these days); it all seems skin deep. People painting and decorating themselves to look like their ideal ego. First thoughts tell us that they are self obsessed spending so much time fretting about how they look to others. They must be selfish as somebody who devotes all their care inwards must not have any left for anyone else. We sometimes brand them slutty as it seems they are trying to divert all eyes of the opposite gender to bathe in an orgy of attention.

The importance of appearance in society cannot be denied; the very presence of a £billion industry dedicated to looks is evidence enough for that. If our outward appearance did not matter, then why would anyone spend anything above the minimum on clothes and the like? People are judgmental whether they like to believe it or not and will make assumptions (however subliminal) about each individual they meet based on their appearance. This elevates the idea of appearance past shallow; it is being used to define the essence of that person as a first impression.

What we look like does not only effect the way others view us, but also the way we view ourselves. It can have a great impact on our psyche so it must hold more weight in the spiritual genre than we usually give it credit; it is not often that something so material can have such far reaching effect on our mentality. However, while some people feel completely comfortable wearing anything, some may need to be more confident about the way they look to others so they can go about life without worrying about bad impressions.

There are many individuals in the world who are not happy in their own skin; they do not feel comfortable in the world and think themselves too fragile to be on display to others. To counter this some may turn to to baggy clothes and long, face covering hairstyles in order to hide themselves from others; however, some may choose tight, figure shaping clothes to manipulate their physique and heavy, obvious make up to obscure their natural features. The second option (of change, not denial) is made possible by the magic wand of material goods; perhaps eventually the make up and clothes lead to acceptance of self. Either that or they push the individual into a tight corner and let the artificial, sparkly, ideal persona take over their existence.

That last points leads me on to my final point; in a haven so safe as the human mind where we may choose which aspects of our personality to display to the world, we only show people who we really want to be. So as shallow as it seems, maybe appearance IS who we are.

So what can one conclude from attitude to appearance?

I will not claim to know that every person in the world who dotes on their own appearance must be a tortured soul on the inside, or someone still painting who they intend to become. I would just like to ask that next time you see somebody “shallow” check themselves out in the mirror, look into their expression and decide; are their eyes conceited or desperate? Prepare your inner nurturer, maybe they need reassurance.

Lizzie Hemp