“You can never be overdressed or overeducated.”
― Oscar Wilde
At first, I felt silly posting an outfit post after my two previous posts on feminism. What I was wearing didn't seem as important as feminism. While in a way that may be true, it is important to me and I am guessing it is important to the rest of you, those who read my blog because fashion is how we express ourselves. If I can quote myself, "[A person's style is] the way a person physically expresses their personality whether they are aware of it or not." Some may not feel like expressing their personality using this medium, but it's how I choose to express mine.
And here are my words of encouragement for those of you who still struggle with caring what people think about you. It doesn't matter if you are 14, 25, 38, etc., our society still punishes, bullies, and judges those who are different in ANY sense. If someone is going to assume something about you merely by the way you dress, then that is their problem, not yours. The best you can do is express your personality through your speech and your actions to prove to them that it doesn't matter if your hair is an unnatural purple or a natural blonde, you can still be intelligent, passionate, powerful, self-confident, and motivated.
If you are worried that you cannot pull it off or that people will make fun of you, I will tell you that you CAN pull it off because it's how I felt months ago before I ever dyed it an unnatural color. Yes, there are people who stare, maybe they like it and don't say anything but maybe they don't and think I'm fucking insane and ugly and that my style is the worst, but I receive so many positive compliments. I was walking toward one guy who I assumed (silly me) would hate my outfit and maybe give me some type of "look," but he looked at me and said "NICE!" Or the woman who asked to take my picture because she loved my outfit and hair. Or the countless number of little kids who stare and smile, and sometimes ask, "Are you a fairy?" or "PURPLE HAIR!!!!" A khaki wearing business man who complimented the color of my hair. A 20-something guy who yelled, "WORK IT, GURL!!! YOU ROCKIN' THAT OUTFIT!" The only negative stares I receive are from high school aged girls, that's it!
There's my contribution to intelligence and self-confidence for the day. haha
― Oscar Wilde
At first, I felt silly posting an outfit post after my two previous posts on feminism. What I was wearing didn't seem as important as feminism. While in a way that may be true, it is important to me and I am guessing it is important to the rest of you, those who read my blog because fashion is how we express ourselves. If I can quote myself, "[A person's style is] the way a person physically expresses their personality whether they are aware of it or not." Some may not feel like expressing their personality using this medium, but it's how I choose to express mine.
And here are my words of encouragement for those of you who still struggle with caring what people think about you. It doesn't matter if you are 14, 25, 38, etc., our society still punishes, bullies, and judges those who are different in ANY sense. If someone is going to assume something about you merely by the way you dress, then that is their problem, not yours. The best you can do is express your personality through your speech and your actions to prove to them that it doesn't matter if your hair is an unnatural purple or a natural blonde, you can still be intelligent, passionate, powerful, self-confident, and motivated.
If you are worried that you cannot pull it off or that people will make fun of you, I will tell you that you CAN pull it off because it's how I felt months ago before I ever dyed it an unnatural color. Yes, there are people who stare, maybe they like it and don't say anything but maybe they don't and think I'm fucking insane and ugly and that my style is the worst, but I receive so many positive compliments. I was walking toward one guy who I assumed (silly me) would hate my outfit and maybe give me some type of "look," but he looked at me and said "NICE!" Or the woman who asked to take my picture because she loved my outfit and hair. Or the countless number of little kids who stare and smile, and sometimes ask, "Are you a fairy?" or "PURPLE HAIR!!!!" A khaki wearing business man who complimented the color of my hair. A 20-something guy who yelled, "WORK IT, GURL!!! YOU ROCKIN' THAT OUTFIT!" The only negative stares I receive are from high school aged girls, that's it!
There's my contribution to intelligence and self-confidence for the day. haha
Jacket c/o Romwe
Cardigan: Betsey Johnson
T-shirt: Salvation Army
Velvet Belt: Salvation Army
Skirt: American Apparel
Tights & Socks: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Lost & Found Vintage
Jewelry: Vintage & thrifted
Now for this outfit. Right before my boyfriend broke his leg, my hair was a dark blonde with a purpley pink at the ends. Then I added a little bit of pink all over, then a little bit of purple, then this dark purple. I love it! This t-shirt I scored at Salvation Army last week. Make fun of me, but I had never heard of this band but saw a signature on it. You can barely see it, but it's on the top row of teeth. Turns out it's the signature of the lead singer and that they were/are a pretty popular punk band.
fashion + feminism is the best combo. personally, I find my personal style to express my feminist point of view because it's fairly obvious that I'm not dressing for men and not conforming to some sort of standard that is attractive to men. the only people who've ever openly disliked what I wear is teenage girls/boys (which is more unfortunate for me, being in high school and all). your writing is actually so awesome. I love that you post real educative content on here about things that are important to you.
ReplyDeleteand your HAIR is magnificent. woaah. that purple is so intense.
i love you hair! it really suits you :)
ReplyDeletehttp://style-delirium.blogspot.co.uk/
xx
your** LOL.
DeleteSwans are amazing and if you haven't already I definitely recommend checking them out.
Deleteas for feminism and fashion - I struggle with this dichotomy every day! I somehow feel like I'm not being true to my punk/diy/feminist/anti-capitalist roots if I worry at all about what I put on my body. Then on the other hand I worry that if I walk around in all black dressed like a "shlub" then I am not being true to the creative artistic vision I have for my life. Do they really conflict each other? should it matter if they do? who am i worrying about caring anyway?
ah. you would think at 37 I would be beyond all of this, but I'm certainly not.
fyi - you are amazing and an inspiration.
-grace
Feminism is about making your own choices. If you want to be fashionable, then allowing yourself to do so is not being anti-feminism, and it is not taking part in the oppression of women. Feeling you can't be into fashion because of feminist views is sort of oppression in itself...
ReplyDeleteYou look magical :)
The Lovelorn
You are a true inspiration! Stalking you :D
ReplyDeleteI love that Oscar Wilde quote. No one should feel bad for striving for greatness.
ReplyDeletei agree with you plenty of people insult my sense of style saying its to much but i receive twice the amount of complements as i do insults and hey its the way i express myself and if they have a problem with it then what the hell it won't effect me because i like the way i dress and as long as i like it i'm happy. I'm also falling head over heels for your blue hair it makes you look like a mermaid.
ReplyDeletehttp://etantmoi.blogspot.com/
http://etantmoi.blogspot.com/
http://etantmoi.blogspot.com/
you're so cute and i love your hair!
ReplyDeletegreat blog, love it