By its very definition, “fashion statement” means our
clothes speak for us. When a person thinks of that phrase, they
are most likely to picture someone whose conscientious choice
of attire stands out and evokes a strong response. Right now,
Lady Gaga is the poster child for making provocative fashion
statements. Who else would don a raw meat dress designed by
Franc Fernandez and say it was in protest of the Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell policy? Yet, if she yanked on a pair of tattered sweats
and a Hanes t-shirt among friends in the privacy of her own
home, that too would articulate something about her. Because
even when we’re not trying to draw focus to ourselves, what we
choose to wear still makes a statement.

Our clothing tells other people who we are, whether we value
comfort over frivolity, brand names over money-saving knockoffs,
timeless styles over trendy couture, loud patterns over the
invisibility muted colors offer. Look at Katniss when we first
meet her. She normally dresses in trousers and a shirt, her hair
braided beneath a cap, with supple leather hunting boots
molded to her feet. Kat’s unintentional fashion statement is one
of practicality and function. She doesn’t care about what she
wears past its usefulness, because she  …