As the heat of summer has arrived in Bordeaux, we see lots of teen and tweenagers roaming about, especially on the weekends. Something we’ve noticed is that there are couples and groups of youngsters dressing either identically, closely matching or dressing in outfits to express the same theme. Boyfriends and girlfriends wearing matching or complimenting outfits, groups of girls dressing in the same color scheme. Some twinning fits’ are extraordinarily detailed – purses, jewelry, hair styles, shoes, etc. There are also many bridal parties in their matching pink t-shirts and the bride-to-be with a short veil.
Youth is a time when peer group identity, belonging is important. Dressing alike is a visible, public signal of ‘we’re together’, a social bonding ,reinforcing friendships. I do wonder though whether it also alienates, and isolates too. Its really not been my scene but to each their own.
Per Claude AI, style is taken more seriously as a collective social practice in France than in many other countries. The look is refined through how you wear it, not just what you wear. The French call the “twinning” phenomenon les sosies or les clones and much has been said about it particularly in Paris and social media.
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