Everyone is constantly labeled: goth, girly, preppy. According to quizzes in Seventeen and Tiger Beat, everyone has to have a signature style. And you absolutely cannot stray from that signature style. I definitely subscribed to this idea when I was growing up. I went through a sporty phase where I wore soccer shorts and my hair in a ponytail every single day. I went through a super girly phase where I wore dresses and heels every single day. According to my style choices now, I'm going through my goth phase because I wear black everyday. Just last week my friend got asked if she was "goth" because she likes to wear all black. Let me just tell you - she and I are just about the least goth people you can meet. We are by no means goth in anyway.
Why do we force people to conform to these labeled styles? Why can't we just choose to wear what we want to wear everyday? Somedays, I may be feeling a little more grunge with Docs and a flannel; other days, I may be feeling girly and put on a pinafore dress and mary-jane slippers with mice on the toes. I don't want to be forced into a style box where I can't feel free to choose what I want to wear.
A few months ago, I was in a store with my friend, and I really wanted to buy some more edgy things because I felt like my closet was getting a little too girly for my taste. When I brought this up, she told me, "I don't know, I think you're more girly. I like the way you dress, don't try to be edgy."
I didn't want to "try to be edgy". I wanted to dress in order to make myself feel beautiful and confident. I don't dress for my friends, I don't dress for men, I don't dress for women, I don't dress for anyone but me. I will dress how I want to dress, and no one can stop me.
Don't force yourself to fit into these conformist boxes and feel like you can only wear certain kinds of clothes because you play sports or you're in theatre; don't conform to these societal labels, unless that's what floats your boat. Do and wear what is going to make you happy and confident and feel beautiful.
Today, I felt grunge but still a little girly. So why not mix both, right? I'm wearing an oversized long sleeved shirt from Nordstrom, black basic leggings from Nordstrom, a navy and green flannel from Ragstock, cheetah socks from Target, a key necklace from Emily, Dr. Martens from Journeys, and an American Horror Story bow from Etsy.
Don't forget: wear what you feel good in and wear what makes you feel confident. Dress for yourself, and no one else.
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