Current outfit: an XL grey t-shirt with a cow skull on it, black leggings and Saucony running shoes. Granted, I am about to go hiking, but you may think that I don’t care much about fashion. I derive most of my fashion inspiration from dads and I am scared of high heels. However, I still tentatively admit that I love shopping and style. I’ll also venture to say that I often am the one showing the most skin out of my friend group. What is the significance of wearing short shorts, paired with a baggy men’s button down? To me, it’s a political statement. It’s a dare to redefine what is viewed as acceptable female dress.
There passes the girl who wears crop tops shirts with no bra. Some people cast judgmental looks, while others may stare a little too long. Yet, she continues to make her way to wherever she’s going, only aware of how great her abs look. On my better days, I am that girl. When I choose to show a lot of skin, it is usually because I am feeling body confident. I don’t really want excess attention. I can’t say that every scantily clad girl is dressed so only out of self-appreciation, but I will say no one wants to be thought of as less because how much skin they’re showing. Personally, I tell myself that if my outfit empowers someone else to love their body, great. If someone doesn’t like it, then that is not my problem nor my business.
However, it is my business to wear whatever I feel most comfortable in. I don’t feel quite myself in a dress; I prefer t-shirts and shorts. I also enjoy shopping in the men’s section. I’m aware that many guys prefer girly or cute women… nonetheless, no girl should be afraid to look grungy. Makeup, neat hair, and overtly feminine clothes aren’t necessities. It’s not that a girl is unoriginal if she chooses to wear skirts. Whether the style is tomboyish or preppy, the most important thing is that it makes the wearer feel most themselves. Disregard preconceived ideas of what clothes make girls attractive.
Certain articles of clothing or accessories exist that are just plain weird -- but if you like it, it is important that you wear it. The term “status anxiety” refers to the sense of urgent need that consumers feel to keep up with current trends. Many corporations capitalize off of the need to fit in. There is nothing wrong with liking what’s popular, but don’t buy something in order to appear a certain way. Wear whatever feels right as an individual. It takes time and strength to learn how clothing can help you fully blossom into yourself, but it’s definitely worth it. Life is too short to dress to impress others.
When I think about how I embraced my individuality, I think of a quote by Anne Sexton, a Pulitzer Prize winning poet, “Once I was beautiful, now I am myself.” Often an individual’s beauty differs from societal definitions of what is attractive. It sounds fine in words, but choosing to deviate from societal standards is scary. However, once the strength is found to stray from what is typically thought of as “beauty”, you can truly find yourself. All the see-through shirts, baseball caps, and platform jelly sandals can be finally be worn with reckless abandon.
