Moving from a small town to a big city can bring lots of big changes, new people, perspectives and experiences. What influence can this have on the evolution of personal style, and how does that transition to your return home? With the Holidays just around the corner, HerCampus uOttawa explores this phenomena and how Gee-Gee girls with small town roots can deal with it.
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As the rows of cornfields start to morph into skyscrapers it dons on you, you aren’t in Kansas anymore. This is a feeling experienced by many college and university students who move from a small town to a big city for post secondary education.
Ottawa is a big hub and sees a large number of students cross its welcome mat every year. With two universities, a college and many other learning institutions, it is no wonder so many make the move.
The move itself brings big enough changes: new people, places and perspectives. After wrapping your head around the transit system and successfully make a roundtrip on a bus other than the 95, [what do you mean there is more than one terminal, and what’s with the weird accordion looking things??] you begin to settle in. Throw in your first trip to the Byward Market, and you’re ready to call Ottawa home.
These new experiences have effects on all parts of your life, so what does it mean for your concept of personal appearance? What you might not notice as you get your legs in a new city, is that your style has also begun to evolve. As sentimental as your high school grad sweater is, you are now confident enough not to hide behind it.
You begin to realize that Ottawa has stores you’ve never heard of, but fit your tastes perfectly. Along with moving for school, you begin to mold your personal style and get to determine for yourself, the ‘you’ you’d like to present to the world.
This might mean making some choices that wouldn’t have gone over so well under the watchful eye of parents or friends back home; a crazy vintage jacket, some outrageous heels, a new piercing or tattoo, or maybe a new hair colour.
Whatever it may be, it is a representation of your growth and development, not to be cliché, but lots of twenty-somethings can attest to truly find themselves by getting lost in a big new city. Although, as understandable this is to your circle of friends here, taking that conversation home may be a whole other story.
“Oh looks like you’ve got your Sunday jeans on!” and, “Did you know your hair is pink?” are just the first two quips out of my family’s mouth as I hopped off the Greyhound in my ripped jeans and sporting some new tones in my ponytail, upon my visit home.
It happens. Somewhere along the lines, unfortunately styles, attitudes and lifestyles don’t always transition to the small towns some of us come from.
I’ve had this conversation many times with other friends who have moved here from smaller cities, and with friends from back home that have also moved away. Generally, being in a big city where you are influenced by the hoards of other uniquely dressed people begins to grow on you. The ambiguity of being one in a sea of many is all the encouragement it takes to want to stand out, or make brave or bold choices. After all, one of the luxuries of living in a bigger city, means not knowing everyone you pass on the street, which definitely makes dressing outside the box and tapping into your self expression, much easier.
But when you return home, there can sometimes be a bit of backlash stemming from the changes you may have made since seeing your friends and family last. You should keep in mind though, that it is equally as new of an experience for them, not having you around as much, and so, when they do see you, every slight difference seems to be amplified.
What do you do? Not much, but rock it. You strut down that main street, feeling just as fabulous as you look. Sure, people may stare or scoff, but it will most likely be because they aren’t used to seeing someone not wearing an ensemble completely constructed from pieces bought at the nearest strip mall. So, give ‘em your best combination of a hair flip and eye roll, because clearly they don’t appreciate or understand the appeal of a good pair of purple pants.
So, there is no need to stress if you’re going home for the holidays and have made some fashion and beauty changes since being home last, your new look is a clear indication of how you are thriving in your new environment, and your friends and family will notice that. Show it off, it will be a step in trying to catch hometowns up with the rest of the world, whether it is socially, or stylistically.
Picture Credits:
http://backseatstylers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bleedforfashion2.png
http://weheartit.com/entry/11131375
http://www.ottawacitizenstyle.com/category/fashion/street-fashion-with-lindsay-crone/