There is this general opinion in the world that fashion is frivolous, expensive, wasteful and unnecessary. The people who follow fashion, are vain, narcissistic, and vapid humans. However, it can get very personal when people you meet take it upon themselves to stare and critique how you have chosen to dress.
This is a major form of public abuse I face on a DAILY basis. Staring people down, avoiding comments and people trying to take my picture is incredibly impactful. More so when you consider that I dress for ME, as a form of pleasure.
What is wrong with taking pride in my appearance?
This is ABSOLUTELY intended to be a rhetorical question, but I will answer it for those who deem it necessary to question someone else’s appearance.
There is NOTHING wrong with taking pride in how you look. This is not just for me, this is for you as well. For anyone, no matter how you choose to dress. If you are happy, then TAKE PRIDE in it. Life is hard, take the small joys where possible.
Also if the tables were turned and I saw someone SERVING GLAMOUR, whilst I was wearing sweats and a cagoule. I would not feel the need to take them down, I would probably chuck them a YAAAAAS, scream ‘category is boots the house down’, whilst no doubt clicking and tongue popping.
If for some reason you don’t understand that last paragraph, those were all queer forms of APPRECIATION.
See, even though I was dressed differently (in this scenario), I was still able to appreciate it, and be appreciative. Also if I wasn’t feeling someone else’s outfit choices, which is a full and valid emotion, I just wouldn’t say anything.
Wow, imagine that; SAYING NOTHING AT ALL.
Forget human decency for a minute, as so many people do. I take more effort managing the way I look for many reasons. Firstly as it as a form of expressing my identity, I am a bright creative individual and dress accordingly. Secondly, I AM FASHION, and this is my personality thus the way I dress should be a reflection of this. Finally, I dress in a way that expresses my take on gender, who and what I am. So now you can begin to see why I am so defensive of my appearance. In a sense onlookers criticising the way I look, are criticising who I am.
We should also not forget the comments from non-fashion folks. Things like ‘that’s a nice COSTUME’ or ‘which SHOW are you in’.
Babes. Seriously? Wearing more than 2 colours does not a costume make. Also layering prints and textures doesn’t qualify me for a place in the WESTEND. Side note I don’t like musicals, public singing makes me very uneasy- it’s just one of my quirks. It would be a good point to mention that fashion is worth 26 BILLION pounds to the U.K. economy - which is more than the energy sector. So you know, it’s v.important.
Also, it is rare that I get to say this, but I want to use a quote from Victoria Beckham to show the importance of clothes.
“I love fashion, and I love changing my style, my hair, my makeup, and everything I've done in the past has made me what I am now. Not everyone is going to like what I do, but I look back at everything, and it makes me smile”.
There it is, in simple terms. Dress for you, to make you happy, and to fuel your development and identity.
So here we are, the denouement of today’s blog post. What I want to really stress, whilst everyone is entitled to an opinion, we do not all have to share it with the world. This is targeted at those who wish to spread negativity, and have no qualms in making someone feel uncomfortable.
The world would a genuinely better place to be if we all took the time to think about the power of our words and actions.
Whilst that message sinks in, I must address that most of my readership is already very socially aware and thus this is less applicable. However, just in case someone with opposed ideals to myself stumbles on my stylish corner of the internet, this is not written as an attack.
This is intended to highlight how our actions can impact others, and how we could all avoid so many issues if we simply thought before we spoke.
Shot by Rachel Pechey
Shop my Lewk:
Coat: Unique 21, Via ASOS
Top: Matalan
Yellow Trousers: Old
Boots: New Look, Similar
Earrings: M&S, Sold Out
Sunglasses: Hot Futures
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