Preps and Cuties, bluntly 'the cool kids', started being 'cool' back in grade school when the biggest problem on the playground was who lost at tic tac toe.

This subculture, beginning as a cry for help from insecurity, has become one of the biggest trends of teen life. Those bullies and kids that just HAD to pick on others, seemed to have matured into another form of bully...a prep. Although preps aren't more psychotic or rude than any other subculture, they have formed this egotistical mindset stereotype and made everyone else conclude that they think they are the better human.

Brands play a major role in being a prep or cutie. Abercrombie, Tommy Hilfiger, American Eagle, and along with many others, can get you 'on your way to greatness' if you choose to spend a few $100 for a mere turtleneck sweater you can get at Target for half the price. If you don't have the clothes, you aren't in the group. For most teens, getting that cool sweater or pair of jeans is a must. These 'cool' brands are very expensive for the everday consumer as well, so those less fortunate teens that buy things themselves don't have the moolah to fork over for a $50 sock.

Just as there are 'posers' in other subcultures, there are 'wannabes' in the prep subculture. Some teens that wear certain brands such as Abercrombie or Tommy Hilfiger, might think that other brands such as Aeropastle or Weathervane are cheap hit offs of Express or American Eagle. When these 'dying to fit in' kids purchase these clothes, they are then subjected to being labeled a poser. But really who should decide who is a poser and who isn't? How do these people that are subconcioulsy elected to judge get chosen?

The answer is you.

Whether we like it or not kids seem to attract others and opress people's views, opinions, and feelings. They can do this through manipulation as well as put downs. If you think about it, everyone has their own chance to 'be cool'. You can just fall into the pressures that teens face and be like everyone else, OR you can be yourself and do your own thing. (Not being a prep) Preps are like clones, they all wear the same thing and act the same way. Countless numbers of times, after Christmas you know what the big hit at Abercrombie was becuase you see the same shirt on every sleazy looking chic at school times twenty. They talk the same way, gossip the same way, and dress the same way. This subculture also puts out another stereotype as being a 'good kid'. They are dressed nicely and tastefully so doesn't that make them good kids? It seems to me it's always a judgemental state of mind that ruins everything for everyone. Preps vs. Freaks Yes. Those stupid freak kids that wear their dark eyeliner, all black clothes, and odd fishnet that they bought down at the closest graveyard. The Preps hate them, and they think that they are better.