Many people ask me why I dress the way I do. The first thing that comes to mind when addressing the issue is to ask, “Why do you dress the way you choose to?” Instead I politely answer, “I dress according to how I feel.”Fashion has no limits and there should be no ‘serious’ restriction on how an individual chooses to express oneself.
When I wake up in the morning, I base my ensemble on my mood at that very moment. If my mood is dull, my outfit will generally express such that of boredom or give the impression that today, I just don’t care.
On the other hand, if my mood is bright and creative (primarily it is), my options for clothing are based around that theme. Fashion is fun, why wear what everyone else is wearing when you can always stand out by what I like to call deviating from the “norm.”
Although fashion is a free expression of oneself through garments and beauty, it could not be exclusively popular without a necessary component: STYLE. Style is personal. Fashion is always changing, while style is forever. Most people confuse fashion and style as the same thing, but they are two separate factors that must come together in order to complete a whole.
A car needs many parts and pieces in order to operate. Without an engine the car doesn’t run and without any gas the car will not get one but so far. The same applies to fashion.
Everyone can go out and purchase fashions but without style that fashion is dead. Style is the fuel that gives energy to a particular fashion and each individual should embrace fashion as it relates to his or her personal style.
So, is my style the same as those who approach me and acquire about the fashion I choose to wear and how much I spend on it? No. Simply said! Being a materialist doesn’t make one a fashionista, instead it is the way one puts his or her style together to express themselves freely.
Today, I am wearing a pair of Levi’s denim that I found in a consignment shop for $8, a simple turtleneck from Heritage 81 sale rack for $4 and a pair of Vans shoes that I’ve had since high school. That’s a total of about $12 I spent on a day of fashionable self-expression.
Not expensive at all. There are people who like to spend frivolously on clothing and accessories, and by all means, if you can afford it, do so. Reality is that the individual with an understanding of his or her personal style can make anything look good, label or no label.
So, to those who may see me and wonder why I dress so “weird”, or whatever word that is justifiable in your reasoning for judging my style, don’t hesitate to ask me about it, I would love to express my love for the art with you.
One thing I adore about fashion and my style is the ability to humbly influence those around me. Fashion is art and the individual draped in its garments is the model.
With that said, each day we are walking advertisements for some designer, but more importantly advertisers of one’s own style.
Don’t be afraid to be different. Fashion can be replicated, but style can never be duplicated, it is only imitated.
Style is the internal aspect of fashion, where fashion itself is the external form of the art. I challenge everyone that loves fashion as much as I do to evaluate his or her personal style. Once personal style is recognized, accepted and respected, you will be able to put on anything and feel fabulous in it.
Fashion is all about taking risks. If you are not a risk taker then fashion will never be fun to you. Escape the mentality of conformity. My rule for being different: NEVER CONFORM. TRANSFORM. “In order to be irreplaceable, one must be DIFFERENT.” – COCO CHANEL.