I can count the number of times I've worn sweatpants to school on one hand. I try my best to avoid throwing on a baggy hoodie or a sports bra in the morning. Although I love feeling cozy in that type of clothing, I just can't convince myself to wear them outside the gym or rehearsal. It's not that I don't like them, I do, but I can never feel confident in them.

Let me explain...

Not only do I look like a potato in any sort of "bum outfit," but I believe that fashion is one of the easiest ways people can express themselves. The clothes you pick out while shopping and the outfits you piece together show your unique style, and that reveals a little about who you are.

For example, someone that loves to wear band t-shirts is probably really into music. Maybe they've been to a few awesome concerts as well. Someone that wears football jerseys or athletic clothing is probably interested sports. Maybe they're on the team, or maybe they're a supportive fan from the bleachers.

I may not know these things for sure until I talk to them, but the clothes they're wearing can help us strike up a conversation.

Personally, I like to wear long cardigans, flowy dresses, thick scarves and combat boots. Those are some of the items that make me feel beautiful, and when I incorporate those things into my outfits, I am showing people the best side of me. I am wearing what makes me confident enough to face the world in.

I put effort into my appearance every day because I know, or at least I hope, it says something about me. Looking dressed up simply boosts my confidence. I'm not trying to impress anyone; I'm just trying to present the best version of myself.

Not everyone values fashion the same way I do, and that's understandable. For some, clothes are purchased just so they don't end up walking around naked. It's a hassle just to pick out a shirt and pair of pants in the morning. However, to me, fashion is an art, clothes are the paint, and your body is the canvas.

So, if you see me around Suffolk University in the fall sitting next to you in our freshman seminar or at the library, now you know why I dress the way I do. And to everyone in high school that asked me why I dressed up every day, now you know.