Never did I ever, think of myself as a follower of fashion. Give me a pair of jeans and a colorful tee, and I am fine. Well, that is what my fifteen year old self would have said. Now, I follow fashion boards on Pinterest, Instagram, and email newsletters. I wouldn’t say it’s unhealthy (yet), but I never would have thought that I would be that kind of girl.
It’s odd because I remember that when I was younger I liked when people put an effort into their appearance as long as he or she looked appropriate and pleasant. It bugged me when girls wore heels to class in high school (seriously who are you), but sweatpants and slippers sort of rubbed me the wrong way too…
…Sweatpants are for very special days when you feel so lazy that your last resort is to don your sweats.
At any rate, I was interested in looking nice, but not looking like a walking advertisement for a clothing store. So I wonder, does my new interest in looking nice and watching fashion trends (not necessarily engaging with them) make me shallow? I definitely think a little more about what I wear and spend a little more time ogling at online closets, but has my new interest affected the way I see the world?
Honestly, the biggest difference in my attitudes about clothes is that I rarely stare at my closet wondering what to wear. A few pieces have made it really easy to get dressed and also more fun. I have more confidence in the way I present myself, and I didn’t have to destroy my bank account at all. I have also realized that clothing can be used as an artistic expression and that appearance is a creative and inspirational outlet. I’ve never thought about fashion like this before. However, I think there is a fine line between superficial beauty and honest to goodness beauty.
Still, on the one hand I have noticed that I do not care much what anyone else is wearing. I’m comfortable and happy and how everyone else looks is up to them. On the other hand, I wonder if how people see me has changed. Do I seem superficial to others? Will people think of me how I used to think of the girls wearing heels to class? – I’m still not a heels girl by the way. And ultimately, I wonder what one’s outward appearance says about emotional and social maturity and how that matters. Should it matter?
I don’t think it should, but I know it does. I also know that sometimes people’s clothes do indicate a lot about their personality.
That’s my input. Basically, I just word vomited all over the internet. Sorry about that.
Hannah Mik.