As a girl, I've heard it a billion times.
You would look better with this, or this, or if you did this.
In high school, I followed the trends. When Vineyard Vines was the thing, you can bet I was wearing it. When wearing Sperry's was the thing, you can bet I was at my nearest Famous Footwear to get myself a pair. I've always been a follower.
It wasn't until I spent my first few months in college that I actually had a good look around at what was happening. In college...no one cares what you wear. You have people who come dressed up, in heels and long dresses, and you also have people like me, who wear running shoes and a inexcusably long t-shirt every single day.
High school really effected me in this way. I was never really comfortable in my own skin because I didn't want to stand out or be too noticeable. I was afraid if I wore something tight I'd get called a slut, and if I wore something super loose I would look lazy. I altered my entire mindset around this.
Clothes are a beautiful form of expression. As lame as it sounds, the things you wear make a statement. It's one of the only things that people can notice about you that defines you at all. What you wear and how you wear it gives off a certain vibe.
To any girl or guy who is reading this, just know that no matter what you wear, it should never be for someone else. You can apply this to all aspects of your life. If you are doing something that you don't really want to do but someone else wants you to do it, you need to stop and ask yourself if this is someone you want in your life.
It is YOUR life. Around your late teens and twenties, you need to focus on yourself. Yes, you should be a shoulder to cry on for your best friend. Yes, you should always be there for people who need you. That's not the point. The point is that you need to look out for yourself, and that decisions that you make are solely for you. They shouldn't be for anyone else. You're the one who has to live with the decisions that you make.
Be you. Don't try to be anyone else. Don't do things just because other people tell you that it's cool. I promise you, from the bottom of my heart, that being yourself and taking care of yourself will take you so far in life.