Expressing Myself Through Fashion
There are many things that I am very passionate about, one of them being style. I don’t necessarily mean the newest trend on the runways this month or whatever new patterns the celebrities are rocking this week. What I love is the process of making an outfit; everything from shopping tediously for a new piece to add to my closet to putting pieces that I’ve collected over time together makes for a great hobby, outlet, and confidence-booster.
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Like anyone else, I have my “fashion icons,” or people I look to find inspiration from when designing my outfits. Youtubers, Pinterest, and Celebrities have all helped to develop my style. Tan from Queer Eye taught me of the simplicity yet effectiveness of the “French Tuck.” Youtube channel “bestdressed” taught me about putting outfits together in a unique way (both pictures bottom left). Audrey Hepburn taught me the impact of a little black dress (right).
One of my favorite pastimes is thrift shopping. Thrifting is very unique to traditional shopping, because you never know what you will find. This can be good or bad. Many thrift runs end emptyhanded, because clothes that fit right or are exactly what you are looking for are few and far between. However, sometimes you find an item that not only goes above and beyond what you want, but is also a fraction of the price you would be willing to pay for it. Moments like these, finding the needle in the haystack, are what make thrifting such a thrill.
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I often shop in traditional stores as well, hunting through countless clothes until I find one at a good price and quality that fits what I’m looking for. I often have my eye on things I know I cannot afford, and in these cases, I have a process to decide if I should purchase it:
1. Estimate how often I would wear it. Usually, a very bright colored or a patterned shirt is something I would not wear repeatedly because it is such a statement piece. However, a good pair of jeans is very versatile, so it passes this test.
2. Research the brand reliability and the quality of the product. Following the previous example, I research the quality (thickness and stretch) of the denim.
3. Make a decision of whether or not to follow through with the purchase. Having an emphasis on what I wear has taught me how to spend my money wisely and to invest in products that I know will last.
But there's much more to an outfit than clothes. Jewelry, belts, bags, scarves, and shoes can all transform a look. I especially love paying attention to details—making sure the gold in my jewelry matches the gold chain of my purse and the gold buckle on my shoes. These small details go unnoticed by pretty much everyone, however it’s something I still pay attention to. These small details coming together are a reminder of the effort I put into my look, which is an automatic confidence booster.
Don’t get me wrong, probably 70% of the time I come to school, my look isn’t “fashionable.” However, that’s beside the point. The times I best express my sense of style and individuality are when I go out with friends to any sort of event. I love going out. While I may not do it often because of my pitiful financial situation, the process of getting dressed up in an outfit I’m proud of and using the city as my runway is exhilarating.
Embracing my style has helped me in many ways to find positivity. My tendency to pay attention to little details in my outfits translates to real life, where I always try to find happiness in the little things. It provides not only an outlet to express myself, but a boost of confidence when I know I put effort into what I’m wearing.
