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The Importance of Dressing for Yourself

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Ohio U chapter.

Text messaging has done a lot to revolutionize the 21st century. It has also done a lot for fashion. I know every morning I wake up and check the email suggestions that stylecloset.com has sent me, but has texting for fashion gone too far? I can’t count how many times I’ve received a “What are you wearing?” text from a girlfriend before we went out. Um … I’m wearing clothes? Specifically mine. I always respond, usually with what I’m wearing, only to meet my friend who is wearing a similar outfit. What? Why would you want to dress like me? My friends and I (as many people do) have very different fashion tastes, so why would we look alike? Because the stupid text message made it easy. It took away the originality of the outfit.

Photo from imgfave

Rewind: I’m not saying it’s not okay to dress alike or that we should all boycott texting. To be silly, my friends and I will occasionally all wear the same color or outfit, but why would you want to dress like someone else constantly? Fashion is personal; no two people are going to view it the same. I personally view it as a way to express my mood and perhaps the weather. Some people only wear a certain color or style because they found what looks good on them and that’s how they’re comfortable. There are days I’m feeling really confident about my body, and I’ll wear something tight. There are other days when my body isn’t what I want people to notice, and instead it’s my hair or makeup. Then, I’ll wear something loose and simple. Regardless, it’s what I want to wear and no one else. It’s important to dress for yourself and not someone else.

Photo from Lookbook

And yes, I know you don’t want to be overdressed or underdressed for certain occasions. I completely agree with not wanting to be underdressed because that can be embarrassing, but overdressed? No such thing. If walking around in your prom dress makes you happy, that’s what you should do. Or if you feel gorgeous in sweat pants, wear them! It’s such a personal matter that whatever you want to wear is okay. (Read: follow certain dress codes like for school or weddings, but on the day-to-day, wear what makes you happy.)

Photo from Dick’s Sporting Goods

So next time you get an “Are you looking cute or nah” text, if your answer is “Nah,” and you don’t feel completely beautiful in the leggings and sweater you’re wearing, go change. Life is too short to not feel like a movie star in everything you wear.

 

Just a quirky fashion journalist trying to get it right!
Paige is a student studying Journalism, Social Media, and Women's Studies at Ohio University. She is actively involved with Her Campus Ohio U and Thread Magazine. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @paige__rochelle (two underscores!)