I am a girl who loves to dress up and keep up with the latest preppy fashions. I admit that I love Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines. I absolutely love wearing bright colors and I always make sure I am wearing a pair of pearls in my ears all the time. The problem is my personality does not always match my outer appearance. People see me and probably assume that I grew up in a southern and conservative household. I believe people see my preppy appearance and think I would rather be spending my time in a Country Club than in a downtown coffee shop. The truth is, I am completely opposite of all of those things.
When I ask someone what their first impression of me was, they respond by saying they thought I was a bubbly girl with probably more conservative beliefs, and then when I opened my mouth they knew they were wrong. They see that I am actually a person who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. They see that the real me loves being outspoken about my liberal beliefs and my dry sense of humor.
Part of me thinks I should be dressing more to fit the stereotype of my personality. The way my personality typically dresses is comfortable and hip; not bright and preppy. I sometimes think it would be easier for people to understand who I am if my fashion represents my personality more, but another part of me likes the confusion people have when they realize I’m not who I seem from my outer appearance. Don’t judge a book by its cover, right?
Living in Richmond has brought some challenges because of my preppy style. At VCU it is obvious the style is typically hip. You won’t see a lot of Lilly Pulitzer or Vineyard Vines clothing make an appearance on campus. Sometimes when I wear outfits that really support my love for preppy fashion, I feel judged. If I walk into a coffee shop full of Richmond locals, I can’t help but feel paranoid that people are thinking I don’t belong there. Sometimes I feel like I need to wear a sign that explains I’m not a stuck up rich girl who buys all her clothes with her trust fund.
I love the chill atmosphere Richmond has to offer and the diverse people that live in the city. I enjoy walking downtown and enjoying the street art Richmond has to offer. I feel at home in Richmond, except for my style. Sometimes I feel like I need to change in order to fit into the vibe of the city, but if I changed my style I wouldn’t be me. My only wish is for more people to see that I am more than the bright preppy clothes I wear.
