DOES WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO WEAR DEFINE WHO YOU ARE?

I wore this uber comfy yet super bright get up out and about London one day and two things really stood out to me. The first was the fact that putting on this cardigan was akin to being wrapped in a cozy blanket like I never got out of bed that morning. The second was that I got stopped a record-breaking number of times by strangers to compliment the apparent notion that I was very brave to wear such a colourful look. Which got me thinking, was I brave? Do you have to be brave to wear colour? I got this cardi because I love the way it looks with its rainbow patchwork and I chose to wear it that day simply because I wanted to. I didn't think anymore of it and I guess I realised that I've never been one to shy away from colour despite being a very shy person in every other aspect. Now that my hair is bright pink, it's made me even more partial to rainbow outfits because I think they compliment one another. Sure I get plenty more stares and attention on the street which should probably make such a shy person like me uncomfortable but on the contrary it kinda makes me feel cooler. I guess dressing up and fashion has always been one of the few ways I've been able to express myself.

I am grateful that I have the freedom to express myself through my wardrobe as I know not everyone is lucky enough to be in this position. Still in this present era fashion can be dictated by such factors like religion, politics, and family. Since this society is increasingly obsessed with image and first impressions are often made on someone's physical appearance, does your clothing style and what you choose to wear define who you are? For example I personally am a lot more inclined to throw on a bright top when I wake up on the right side of the bed and am in a good mood. If I'm on a bit of a downer then perhaps I'd much prefer to blend into the background and not draw any more attention to myself. I think the rise of bloggers and streetstyle has encouraged our self expression through fashion even more and that in the end in can break through any boundaries by culture, religion etc. Ultimately we all want to be noticed and paid attention to, this is simply human nature.
Shop Fluffy cardigan / ASOS body / ASOS jeans / ASOS choker / Gucci belt / Gucci loafers

Unfortunately there may be others that think we are defined by where we buy our clothing and how much money we spend but again, first impressions based on physical appearances are simply like judging a book by it's cover and you alone know the traits that remain constant to yourself rather than what happens to be on your body. As I have colourful hair, does that make me a punk? As irrelevant and untrue as the assumption that wearing Chanel makes me a better person than someone wearing Primark. As much as we tell ourselves not to, unfortunately we often still do, moulded by society and our own insecurities. Transcending this habit of assumptions and allowing others to express themselves by wearing whatever they fancy, is the positive outlook that will define you far more than what you wear ever could.

x