Do you ever wonder what people think about you or what opinions they form based on how you present yourself? Although appearance is most definitely not everything, it is still an important part of who we are as individuals. There's a reason why we don't all run around naked, so we might as well have fun with it. What you wear is usually the first thing someone will notice when they see you; and in my opinion, the way you dress should reflect, to an extent, who you are on the inside. It is a creative outlet and an art form that everyone should take advantage of.
So what does aesthetic mean, anyways?
The word aesthetic can be defined as "the philosophical theory or set of principles governing the idea of beauty at a given time and place." Basically, your aesthetic is your personal idea of what beauty is. The possibilities are literally endless, and chances are that whatever mood you wake up in can be translated through the way you make yourself appear to other people. Even if you wake up feeling a little down, your aesthetic can turn negative emotions into your own individual display of beauty and confidence. A lot of the time, situations become out of our control, and that can cause anxiety or discomfort. Although you can't control every aspect of life, you can control your aesthetic. So take that insecurity and turn it into a look so fierce that no one could even suspect your life is falling apart.
Like most things in life, there are levels to the way you present yourself. Some people argue that they don't care what they look like, or that they don't care about other people's opinions, and that is just fine. If you want to go for the IDGAF aesthetic, that's up to you. Everyone has their own form of self-expression, but I think it's important to note that you should be dressing up for yourself first, rather than for other people. Looking good goes hand in hand with feeling good; confidence and comfort in your own skin will affect your attitude and the way you interact with others. Even if you don't care about what other people think, care about what you think. Do what it takes for you to stand in front of the mirror and genuinely be happy with who you are. Stay true to yourself and what you find attractive. The beauty of the aesthetic is that everyone's is unique. Don't let other people define who you are; be strong enough to define yourself. When you wear something, be aware that you are partly controlling the way others view you. Whether you care for their opinion or not, the way you dress has a huge impact on the way you are perceived.
Just remember to give some importance to how you present yourself to the world, whether you're going to school, work, out on the weekend or even a job interview. You never know who you're going to meet, and it would be a shame to lose an opportunity to represent who you are. Your aesthetic may be skin deep, but it's a simple way to decorate your soul and to show others who you are as a person. Dress to express rather than to impress. People will let you down, but the only one who can build you back up is yourself, and you should slay while you do it.
