If you’re picking your best friend based on what kind of clothes she wears or how popular she is, chances are you aren’t going to stay in touch after graduation.

Olstead contrasts superficial, status-driven friendship (based on clothes and popularity) with relationships grounded in genuine affinity and shared values. The mention of “after graduation” frames school as a temporary social ecosystem where popularity can distort priorities; once that environment ends, connections built mainly on image often dissolve. The quote functions as a cautionary reminder to choose friends for character and compatibility rather than social capital, implying that durable friendship depends on deeper mutual support that survives changing settings and life stages.