By GILLIAN MILLER – Co-adviser
With complete transparency, I am between 20 and 30 years old. I spent four, wonderfully confusing years attending the University of Georgia. I fell in love with the campus, the culture and the rich, Athenian history. The mature trees outlining North Campus. The architecturally complex buildings of Baldwin street — despite their interior dilapidation. The music scene downtown puts other university campuses to shame, not to mention the locally-grown food initiatives and the pride in the city.
Yet, the number one Athenian staple is the running short. Not the comfortable, spandexy yoga pants, but the underwear included, scallop edged, Nike imprinted running short. The bane of all fashion laws.
In Athens, it is socially acceptable to do your hair, put on diamond earrings, a cute headband, and accessorize with Nike shorts. This outfit is worn to the grocery store, class, and, worst of all, out to a fine dinner.
I recently went to Ru San’s for a casual evening with a friend. We ordered our green tea and sushi and discussed current events. In strolled a, what I assumed to be, college student, with highlighted blonde hair, straightened, and complimented by a diamond headband. She had made up her face impeccably, and even put on dangly earrings. She came in following a young man, presumably her suitor.
To finish the outfit, she put on a pair of running shorts and sneakers.
When did it become socially acceptable to wear shorts to dinner, nonetheless running shorts? Shorts named for the duty they encourage: running. What kind of image does this give our respectable institution and town?
This outfit does not expand outside of Athens. It pains me to see photos of students studying abroad in Italy or Greece, two renowned countries, wearing running shorts and a t-shirt. Call me old fashioned, but this comes off as inappropriate and a sure sign of misappropriated assimilation and cultural disinterest.
Despite my adamant dislike for the popularity of this style, I have seen the light. I recently caved in and bought my first pair of running shorts in the hopes of becoming more active. I do not plan on wearing them to the store or to dinner, but they are definitely comfortable for house work.
