Cultural Observation Project:
Assessment Paper Assignment
Name: Leah Breach
Location of Observation: Threaded Collective
Date: September 4th, 2025
YOUT 201-Section # B01
Observation: (at least 2 full pages)
When I entered Threaded Collective, a local secondhand store, I noticed how nice it was.
It was well put together, clean, and very easy to shop. There was a picture spot at the very front
with a letter board on the wall, and the business would change out for different sayings. Under
the board was a couch that could fit a small group for a photo. The overall atmosphere had
music that teenagers would like and prices that made sense for that age group. I went in the
late afternoon, about 2 hours before the shop closed, acknowledging school hours and
assuming that would be the best time to see students aged 12-18. About 15 minutes after I got
there, I saw a small group of teenage girls come through. They spent their time giggling,
grabbing clothes to try on, and encouraging one another to buy things that were “so cute”. They
went in and out of the shop a few times. If I had to guess, they were checking in on friends next
door at White Hart, which is a popular downtown coffee shop.
Overall, these students presented themselves well. These girls had their hair and nails
done. They had similar outfits on: baggy jeans, adidas sneakers, and graphic t-shirts or flowy
tank tops. They were kind to the employees but definitely kept to themselves, as they didn’t
seem certain if they wanted to spend money. They got so excited when they found an item of
clothing in their size from one of their favorite brands. I saw them grab anything they thought
could be fun to try on and had it set aside in a fitting room. They all took turns trying on a piece
of clothing and showing it to their friends. A few times, they tried on something they really liked
and would call their parents to get permission to buy it. I saw them encourage one another by
trying to style the item of clothing or compare it to something they saw a friend at school wear.
They ended up buying one item each, planning to wear it next week to school. They checked
out individually, each asking the employee if they could pay in cash, and counted their smaller
bills to cover the total.
Besides this group of a few high school girls. I saw another larger group of both boys and
girls pass the shop. They came in the last 30 minutes of the shop hours. They were loud and
laughing at a joke one of the boys made. I did not see the car keys and assumed they were just
entering high school. The guys were dressed in oversized hoodies and Nike sneakers, while the
girls wore athletic clothing: leggings and cropped sweatshirts. The boys were disappointed that
there were no clothes in the store for guys and proceeded to make fun of a few of the items in
the shop as they took in all that was available. The girls in the group had a similar enthusiasm
about the store as the first group. They told the boys to sit down on the couch and did a quick
sweep of the store. They also got excited when they found a favorite brand like Lulu Lemon or
Free People. The boys were impatient as the girls tried on a few things. The employees were
very gracious and patient as they made efforts to finish their closing tasks. I observed that one
or two of the girl-boy pairs were dating as the girl would show one specific boy what they tried
on, as if asking for approval. They spoke negatively about their own bodies but encouraged their
friends without a second thought. The boys used choice language and spoke very loudly to get
their opinion heard. The girls left the dressing rooms full of clothes tossed around, just messy
and unattended, once they were done. They left abruptly due to a phone call for one of the
girls, who seemed to be a leader in this group.
As I drove home, I reflected on how these kids interacted with one another, the
employees and thought about what kind of atmosphere they could be headed back home to. I
prayed for their families that they would come to know God if they had not already, and asked
God to bring them to mind often.
Response: (at least 2 full pages)
In the store, I felt very comfortable. As someone who likes to shop and also likes to shop
secondhand, this store was so fun. I could also see myself, especially at the age of these girls, 9th,
10th, or 11th grade, loving this kind of store. The store had a few places to sit and a coffee shop
next door, and it seemed like the perfect place to go to for a few hours. Main Street has been
under construction for a while, but besides that inconvenience, the shop was easy to get to, and
many places on Main Street would be so fun for middle or high school girls. I could see this also
being a fun place for moms to take their middle school or high school daughters.
From the moment the first group of students walked in, I could tell this store attracted a
certain kind of student. Someone who was put together and cared about what they wore or
what clothing trends they participated in. While that is not inherently wrong, it did break my
heart. I remember being a young high schooler and seeing the older kids much cooler than
myself. I assumed that if I dressed a certain way or spoke with certain vocabulary, I would be
cool like them. I wondered, during my observation of these two groups, if they felt that
pressure. I also pondered how social media has impacted these years of their lives. Now, more
than ever, there are so many people to compare yourself to. I appreciated the two employees in
the shop. They were college-aged and very encouraging to the young girls. They made jokes
with them, asked about their days, and seemed to understand that clothing sizes and styles
really mattered to their potential customers. I am sure they wanted to make a sale in the last
couple of hours of the shop’s open hours. However, I could also sense that they were caring for
these young girls by encouraging their clothing choices and reminding them not to overthink
the size number on a pair of jeans.
I was honestly shocked by how independent these young high schoolers were. While
downtown is definitely safe during mid-day, and I have no doubt they know their favorite spots,
they were still doing so much on their own. Reflecting on my high school years, I know I did the
same, but as I’ve gotten older, I realize how young 14 is; the average age I saw. I was also
shocked by how well-dressed they were. As stated before, style and presentation seemed like
something very important to this age group. They were all wearing the same kind of clothing
but in different colors. Additionally, they were wearing expensive brands like Nike, Lulu Lemon,
Adidas, and others, and it seemed important to also shop for those brands.
Threaded Collective was the perfect spot for this age group to keep up with those
trends, but at a fraction of the cost. I had mixed feelings about the helpfulness of the store. In a
lot of ways, I was angry that it would be easier for these students to blend in. Not that I want
them to feel out of place, because once again, it is not inherently wrong to follow a trend, but
how often do they do that to be loved or noticed? My heart broke as I prayed that their identity
would not come from the clothing they wore. I wondered if this was something that their
parents also participated in. Were brands and a certain look something that was instilled in
these children from a young age, or asked of by their parents? Lynchburg is not a wealthy area;
however, there are surrounding cities that are, and social media, and the overwhelming desire
from any socioeconomic status to be seen as presentable and well-off. This reflection and
observation assignment has reminded me of a large amount of influence coming from many
directions for this generation and burdened my heart for them to be influenced by the one true
God and be set free from the endless cycle of trying to fit in with worldly attempts, such as
brands and clothing. I also pondered how the church could better represent biblical modesty
and stewardship for the next generation.
Integrity Statement: (fill in the correct information)
I, Leah Breach, went to Threaded Collective on September 4th by myself and have followed all
the necessary instructions.
