Status Symbols Throughout Our Lifetime: What it Means to be Cool

Ever since I can remember there have always been things that have separated the “cool kids” from the rest of the class. When you were young it was often was a particular Barbie or toy, as you got older it became a cool sneaker, a purse, an electronic…  These things show “status”. 

Elementary School Essentials:

1. Heelies- Everyone needed to have this rollerblade-sneaker combo, if you didn’t have a pair of heelies on the playground you’re pretty much out of luck finding other people to hang out with. Unfortunately heelies became banned from most schools after adults realized that they were a threat to the lives of young children.
2. Best friends necklaces- It was pretty crucial to have a best friend to share a necklace set with, because having matching necklaces pretty much guaranteed a life long friendship. A friendship filled with birthday party invites and being on the same gym team. Claire’s luckily gave the option of having multiple best friends; otherwise there would have been a lot more drama in 1^st grade.
3. Aeropostale sweatshirt- In 5^th grade it suddenly became absolutely critical that I get an Aeropostale sweatshirt with a monkey on it. It took me until the end of my elementary school career to convince my mom to buy me one, it was white with cursive “Aeropostale” written on it and we bought it at the outlet. I was in my glory.
4. Seasonal Old Navy T-Shirts- Please remember the series of holiday t-shirts featuring yellow labs.
5. Tattoo choker necklaces- the ones you get from the star market vending machines. The more the merrier.
6. Limited Too– Before “Justice” there was Limited Too, only the most stylish girls shopped at Limited too. Sweatpants with “Princess” “Angel” and “Soccer QT” made you instantly more popular then everyone else, my mom wouldn’t let me wear them because she hated me.
7. Jelly Bracelets- Up until they too became banned from my elementary school, it was important to have as many as you possibly could on your arms before cutting off your circulation. They were fun to trade and wear up until your parents thought you were sexually active at age 8 because of “sex bracelet” allegations in the local highschools.
8. Butterfly clips.
9. Really wide shoes–  Etnies, DC’s and Phat Farms, if you weren’t falling out of your shoes they weren’t cool enough.

Middle School Must Haves-

1. Your boyfriend’s chain- If you weren’t wearing your boyfriend’s chain necklace (that you probably bought him for Christmas from Kohls) that meant you didn’t have a boyfriend, enough said.
2. Livestrong bracelets- and pretty much any other plastic bracelet you could get your hands on.
3. Wearing PJ’s in public.
4. Hollister Graphic tee’s- So that when Hollister popped onto the scene in 2006 people knew you were aware that it was the cool place to shop.
5. Cropped sweaters- that looked good on absolutely nobody.
6. A small colorful coach purse- because if your parents couldn’t justify spending $300 on something for you to put your allowance and pencils in they didn’t love you.
7. “Real” UGGS-to be worn with a ripped denim mini skirt, Aeropostale or Abercrombie polo shirts,  and leggings.
8. Abercrombie jeans- Everyone and their mother could recognize the back pocket of Abercrombie jeans, so much so that stores like Macy’s and Kohl’s started to make knock-off pockets. To be truly popular you needed Abercrombie jeans.
9. Tiffany’s chain linked bracelet- with the heart charm, and the matching necklace.
10. Hair ribbon- absolutely critical to have a hair bow to match every outfit. Acceptable places to buy bows included Michaels craft store, and Joanne fabrics. Please note: there is a huge difference between real bows and the bows you get at build-a-bear workshop.
11. Razer cell phone- And then the “chocolate”

 
High School Swag-

1. Plain black Hunter boots- although “Hunter” offers a variety of colors, black goes with everything. Although these may look like plain black rain boots, don’t be fooled, they say “Hunter” on them, therefore are obviously worth 5 times as much money.
2. Ed Hardy- There was a solid year that Ed Hardy was a “must have”, spiced up my high school with a little jersey shore swag. “LOVE KILLS SLOWLY”.
3. Long Champ Bags- although they may look like the most basic of nylon bags, this is not the case. They are basic nylon bags that everyone else also has!
4. Sperry boat shoes- whether you’ve ever been on a boat or not, this preppy essential was a must have.
5. Blackberry– Before the IPHONE became the only cell phone socially acceptable by the world’s standards BBM was hip. Sure BBM is meant for connecting on an international level, but its also the most effective way to see if someone is ignoring you. 
6. Black Northface- Not only does a black north face match everything, but it goes perfectly with your yoga pants and chestnut colored UGGs, topping off your unofficial uniform.
7. Pandora bracelet– the most perfect and most generic gift to receive from your boyfriend or family member, with ridiculously overpriced charms to ask for on every holiday.

 
College Status Symbols- (Primarily Suffolk)

1. Iphone- Instagram is a social-life essential, and digital cameras don’t really come out to play much anymore…
2. Cartier gold bangle- as seen on nearly every celeb, and international student.
3. A Michael Kors watch.
4. The Perfect Designer Bag- Chanel for going out & Louis Vuitton for the day
5. Tory Burch flats- notoriously known for giving the worst blisters, these flats generally run between $190-$300
6. Christian Louboutins- the infamous red heel, with the even more infamous price-tag. 
7. A Burberry Trench- An icon.
8. Ray Bans- Its important to have a cool pair of sunglasses, how many people at Suffolk don’t own a pair of raybans?
9. Burberry Rain boots- Walk outside Suffolk’s Sawyer building on a rainy day, you’ll see countless pairs of Burberry rain boots.
10. Gucci Belt- Although Hermes belts are without a doubt more elite, a Gucci belt is a must have for the guys and girls at the club. It shows you can hold your pants up in style.
11. A fake ID- Although I am not condoning any illegal activity, without a fake at Suffolk your social life isn’t going to be as extravagant as the girl down the hall. You certainly won’t be going to day parties at clubs on Saturdays and making public drunken scenes in the dining hall afterwards.