Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Fashion and Expressionism

There is something that I have been giving a lot of thought lately. What is style and who gets to dictate whether or not something is stylish? I've always wanted to be able to go out in something that I wanted to wear, even if people thought it was crazy, and hold my head high. This confidence is something that I would like to say I have, but unfortunately I can't. I thought I was decently strong and confident, but I realized I wasn't on Monday when I decided to wear my overalls. The outfit I was going to wear (asos overalls that I've had for awhile, plain white tee, and the cutest little pointed toe flats) was something I'd seen on street style blogs and pinterest for a long time and had longed for a pair (I bought a really unique pair at goodwill about a year ago with cap sleeves and a wide leg, but again couldn't find a way or the courage to wear them). Well when I finally got the courage to wear them, some judgmental redneck laughed at me, literally stood in front of me and laughed, so I proceeded to flick him off and tell him to go and drive himself to hell in his diesel... Not the easiest way to stand up for yourself, or the nicest I admit, but it sure felt good. That is the crux of the issue: Why should some random high schooler, or anyone for that matter, be able to voice his opinion on what I'm wearing, when what I'm wearing is my opinion? After I walked away, I felt that my head was higher than it had ever been before. I actually started to get out outfits that I had jotted down in my little union jack journal (that I carry around with me filled with whirl of the moment ideas I get). I realized that fashion is the ultimate form of expression and no matter what or how I am feeling it always translates. One day I might be a little preppy, the next I could be a complete tomboy. One second I could be wearing a flirty floral dress, then in turn wear a baggy boys' denim jacket with patches I've collected over the years. That's something else that I have gotten out of this stream-of-consciousness post:  You do not have to have a definitive style aesthetic in order to be fashionable. I actually think it's better if you don't... Sure Kate Moss has a signature look and rocks it, but look at Mira Duma. She can walk out in a military coat and trousers or the most feminine of all things feminine, and the thing that works for her is that she owns it. If you can experiment and have fun with your fashion, it can show who you are and how you are feeling. Fashion is an expressionable art  where people can decide who they want to be and how they want to achieve that look. Today my friend Casey showed me an old RookieMag article talking about how not to care what people think about you. It was written in three sections (clothes, your body, and your personality), and I didn't even look at the other two. Although I do have problems with my self image and how I look (I am a teenage girl for heaven's sake, and the acne gods are not on my side) I only cared to read about wearing what I want to wear. It said stuff about mastering the ultimate cbf (chronic bitch face) and using it as a weapon, but mainly to be yourself and learn to love yourself and how you look (clothing-wise, but your image also). It was the perfect time for me to read that article, and I can honestly say it has left an impact on me. Whatever you have to do to make yourself feel confident about your clothing choice is up to you, whether it's mumbling "haters are my motivators" (if it works it works), or having snarky little comebacks for anytime someone gives you a look, the main thing to have is confidence and love for yourself. I love to think of my fashion icons who did whatever the hell they wanted to and were judged for it (list below). My favorite quote on the issue is from Orson Welles, "Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn." You can either fit in or stand out in this world, choose which one makes you the happiest.

"There's only one very good life and that's the life you know you want and you make it yourself," Diana Vreeland
"A girl should be two things: who and what she wants," Coco Chanel (The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons from the World's Most Elegant Woman)
"I think you have to have self-confidence, or you just can't pull it off," Iris Apfel
"It's about dressing for yourself and liking what you're wearing," Leandra Medine

1. via New York Magazine // 2. via google // 3. via MAC Cosmetics // 4. via Teen Vogue

2 comments:

  1. Aw love you more. Thanks for helping me with this and making me be myself!

    ReplyDelete