Those of you who know me know that I have my own sense of style. Whether it's wearing Doc Martens every day of every season, rocking black overalls, or tucking my Steelers jersey into a skirt, I like to wear things that are a little bit different. Sure, my sisters can make fun of my fashion sense all they want, but it will never phase me, because the perks of a unique sense of style feel oh, so good.
On weekdays, I pick out my outfits the night before. What I wear means a lot to me, as it generally should, and so I like to take my time piecing together the perfect ensemble for the day ahead. (It also saves me some precious sleep time in the morning.) Sometimes, if I am unsure about my selections, I will even try them on, just to make sure. This may sound neurotic, but there have been many benefits to my fashionable preparedness.
When I step out of my dorm in the morning, wearing something that I know not many other people would, I inhale an automatic dose of confidence. Especially at a college where there is an unspoken uniform, it feels empowering to look in a way that nobody else does; there's an immediate understanding that I can't picture anybody else I know wearing what I am wearing right now. This puts a little pep in my step.
And you can bet that when I dress in a way that's out of the ordinary, other people notice. Hey, I'm not being cocky; it's just a fact! I get complimented a lot on my outfits, the ensemble as a whole or just a piece. This is extraordinarily gratifying. I do take time to dress myself in a conscious way, I put this shirt on purposefully, and I thank you for noticing! In fact, a few days ago I complimented a girl's patchwork jeans, because they were so cute, and she immediately lit up and thanked me greatly. I noticed her jeans, because they are different than the jeans I'm used to seeing around campus, and I definitely wanted to let her know that I appreciate her attempt to make a statement and stand out.
We should all take pride in being different. For those of you who buy clothing simply because you saw it on another, maybe you just haven't found your comfort zone yet, or maybe you are too scared to look for it. People don't like standing out; it's a natural human instinct to become one with the crowd. But I am here to tell you that it feels so good to stand separately. I feel a buzzing energy when I walk around campus and know that people are looking at my coat, my lace tights, my mid-length pleather skirt.
Don't be afraid to be yourself! If you want to try out those bell-bottom jeans, go right ahead and try them! Buy those purple boots! (I really want purple boots.) When you take the extra time to dress as yourself, and therefore promote your inner specialness via your outer, you feel so much better. You feel more like you. And when others take notice of this effort, which they will, it's like the cherry on top. That said, the next time you see someone wearing a dress you love or something else that catches your eye, let them know! You'll be making someone's day, for sure.
Never shy away from the idea of being different. Sure, there are some people out there who are scared by difference, by change and what's out of the ordinary, but they are the people you don't bother with. You are your own priority, and you are special. Let your clothing speak to that.
