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10 Life-Changing Things That Happened When I Finally Listened To ‘Queer Eye’ And Wore Whatever I Wanted

Tan France has taught me well...

bailsamic

Aug 04, 2019

University of Rhode Island

1026

10 Life-Changing Things That Happened When I Finally Listened To ‘Queer Eye’ And Wore Whatever I Wanted

Lydia Gardner

If you are at all involved in the world of Netflix and pop culture, you've probably heard of a little show called "Queer Eye."

The show follows the 'Fab 5' on their adventures to give people a push to becoming the best, most authentic versions of themselves. The fourth season recently dropped and let me tell you, it is emotional AF. When I say that I cried during every episode... I cried during every episode.

Throughout the episodes, Tan France, the fashion guru and stylist extraordinaire, said something that stuck with me.

He stressed the importance of finding what makes you feel like you, but more refined. When you dress nice, you feel nice, essentially. I loved that concept and decided I would dress as the more refined version of myself for a week. I didn't want to hold anything back. I wanted my style to be reflective of who am I and refined... Here is what happened:

1. My confidence went through the roof.

I was feeling myself. Not in a prideful or egotistical way, but in more of an "OK QUEEN WITH THE OUTFIT" way.

2. I took an insane amount of selfies and I regret NOTHING.

Personal Photos

My Snapchat was popping. My Instagram was popping. My smile was popping. I finally felt like I looked good and could post things or take pictures and enjoy what I saw.

3. I felt like a fish out of water sometimes.

I showed up to work for the first time EVER in a dress and got some compliments. It was nice, however, I have no idea how to accept a compliment and found myself deflecting them left and right instead of just saying thank you. When someone tells you that you look nice, chances are they're being truthful and you shouldn't feel like it's a bad or wrong thing to accept the compliment.

4. It gave me the extra push that I needed and I finally made a change I'd been wanting to make for a while.

Personal Photos

It made me realize that my own personal style is a reflection of myself. I'd been wanting to dye my hair, something I had never done before. This week, I finally did it, with the help of my mom and some friends. And I couldn't be more happy with the results.

5. I tucked my shirt in.

Personal Photos

I know this probably doesn't seem like much. To give you context, I have always been insecure about my mid-section, as many people are. My usual outfit of shorts or leggings and an oversized t-shirt was not going to cut it this week. I wore skinny jeans and tucked my shirt in with them. I also purchased my first belt. It was crazy to see how much of a difference these things made when I looked at myself in the mirror.

6. I felt like going out more.

I would get ready for no reason and actually make an effort to leave the house, even when I didn't have scheduled plans. Making myself look presentable made me want to show it off a little, but mostly, it was for me and my confidence and being able to hold myself high when I stepped outside the comfort of my home.

7. I learned more about myself and my style.

I have a summer job working in retail and noticed things around the store that Bailey from two-weeks ago wouldn't go near. This week helped me expand my horizons and figure out what it is that I like and how I can style things to match me and what I enjoy. I've also been able to categorize my style as "nerdy chic with a businessman pirate twist." It doesn't make a lot of sense, but that's what it is.

8. I don't have to "dress up" all the time.

Personal Photos

I won't lie, there were times I wanted to throw on a giant sweatshirt and shorts and call it a day. I still do. But there are ways to feel comfortable and still feel like you're showcasing your style. I think fashion is such a cool way to express your own individuality with the things you wear on a day to day basis. One day I wore a sweater and jeans and threw some earrings on and was still popping off! Find what you love and, as Tan would say, "Refine it."

9. I found myself putting together outfits in my head.

Personal Photos

And a lot of them sparked lots of joy.

10. I have a new appreciation for clothes in general and want to continue this moving forward because I feel SO good.

What started as an idea for an article and following Tan France's example turned into something I am so grateful for.

Find your own style, try it for a week and see if you feel any different. Hey, it's worth a shot, right?

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10 Life-Changing Things That Happened When I Finally Listened To ‘Queer Eye’ And Wore Whatever I Wanted

Tan France has taught me well...

1. My confidence went through the roof.

2. I took an insane amount of selfies and I regret NOTHING.

3. I felt like a fish out of water sometimes.

4. It gave me the extra push that I needed and I finally made a change I'd been wanting to make for a while.

5. I tucked my shirt in.

6. I felt like going out more.

7. I learned more about myself and my style.

8. I don't have to "dress up" all the time.

9. I found myself putting together outfits in my head.

10. I have a new appreciation for clothes in general and want to continue this moving forward because ​​I feel SO good​​.

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

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Gift Cards

10. I have a new appreciation for clothes in general and want to continue this moving forward because I feel SO good.

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