A prominent topic that surrounds girls in today's day and age is the issue of how we dress. Most of the time, we hear stories on girls who are harassed and ridiculed for wearing what some might consider clothing that is too revealing. There are articles on girls who are forced to leave school or change their clothes because they are said to not be wearing enough. Girls from a young age are taught to dress in certain ways in order to make sure they don't tempt the opposite sex. However, the way a girl chooses to dress generally has nothing to do with pleasing others, but has everything to do with feeling confident and comfortable with herself.

On the other hand, we have girls who are harassed and made self conscious for wearing clothing that people may consider to be "too much." Whether it be because of religious beliefs or our own personal level of comfort, girls are told that they are oppressed because they choose to wear an article of clothing that might not show off their figure or might cover certain parts of her body. But aren't we oppressing girls by telling them how to dress? The way anyone dresses should make them feel comfortable. What are we teaching girls if we are constantly labeling them from a young age based on what they wear? An article of clothing shares only a person's personal style, not his or her personality. You cannot judge who a person is based on what he or she wears on his or her body. It's time we start to empower girls to be confident in themselves without worrying about what others may think.

When we put on a little extra make up or dress a little better, it doesn't mean we are trying to impress anyone. We are simply making ourselves feel confident. Let's not teach young girls that in order to feel confident they need to fit the made up labels set by society. Let's empower girls to set their own standards instead of feeling the need to meet societies.

To anyone reading this, male or female, go out there and be your best, most confident self! Wear what you want and be who you want to be. As long as you love who are, the opinions of others do not matter. Set the standards of your own life and don't worry about pleasing everyone else. Because at the end of the day, it's your body and your life, no one else's.