::thoughts on dress and your personal style

Lately I've been paying more attention when people talk about their likes and dislikes of fashion and style. It's funny how it's so easy for others to nitpick someone else's clothing because it may be a little different. Heaven forbid they look...dare I say...different. I live in the Midwest. Not a lot of individual style around here. At least I'm sure it's nothing like you will find in bigger cities where there is more diversity and it's easier to break out of the mold. Around here if you dress even slightly different, people look at you funny. Some of us look for approval from our loved ones and our friends. I'm learning to figure out my own individual tastes and I realize they differ from some of my friends and family. Though they may try to be supportive, sometimes they will find something particularly funny and won't have any problem telling me. It can hurt my feelings if I let it get to me, but why should we let those things get to us? If we're comfortable with the way we are dressing, why should we really care what others will say? Sometimes being "different" is a good thing. It's what sets you apart from the others, what makes you who you are.

I'm learning to be more confident in my tastes. The more I see, the more I realize what I cannot stand and what I adore. Or what looks good on me and what doesn't. That doesn't mean my opinion is above the average opinion. It just means that if I really want to wear something that someone else thinks "outlandish" well by gosh I'll wear it anyway. After all, it's only clothing. The world will not come to a screeching halt if I decide hot pink spandex is the new me. (Then again I have a feeling I'll never discover hot pink spandex as me.) I could pick apart people's outfits until I die, but then my life would be pretty dull. Instead I'm gonna wear what I like, maybe encourage a few people to break out of their own mold along the way. Who knows. But ultimately, I do it because it's just plain fun. It's something built in me I guess. I like clothing, I like hair, fabric, shoes...Or maybe I'm so drawn to this outer appearance 'cause I'm just a girl. Or utterly vain. :) Yeah, that could be it too. So if you're struggling with the opinions of others and scared you'll meet someone's disapproval; remind yourself that honestly, it really doesn't matter what anyone thinks. You know who you are. Trust yourself. Individuality is awesome. When you discover that, you are way ahead of the game. And then go out and have some fun already.