Black monochromatic sweater [Urban Outfitters]
Gingham patent pumps [Nine West]
Black cordoroy pants with zippers [Forever 21]
.jpg)
Do you ever
think about who or what you are really dressing for? Is it to look
professional and smart in front of a client/audience? Is it for a job or
a promotion? Is it to impress someone that you may pass by during your
morning commute? Is it to simply look and feel confident? Or is it
really just for yourself, to feel comfortable in your own skin?
Style
is a funny thing. Sometimes it's a direct reflection of a personal
statement and what inspires you. Other times, there are trends and dress
codes to follow that seem to delineate from what the sense of
eccentricity that we are taught to embrace. Work wear is an example of
where these opposing natures exist. We choose our outfits often to
project a desired image in order to give off the best first impression
as possible. Maybe you throw on those glasses to make you look smart and
mature in an interview to gain more credibility. Perhaps you select
your colours appropriately (blue is a colour of trust is a tip that I learned from a friend)
to give off a certain impression. Maybe you skip the low neckline and
stiletto heels because you don't want to look too "sexy", resulting in
other people not taking you seriously. On the other hand, we are told
that to be successful often means finding ways to set ourselves apart
from others - to be unique and find your signature. For some, style is a
way of defining an individual trademark - to outwardly express it and
at the same time serve as a reminder to self that you really could be
who you are.
Having
recently visited another country really made me reconsider the essence
and necessity of style. What is often associated with aesthetics and
vanity has a strong tie to the social, psychological and cultural
contexts of being human. I am always very interested in observing the
different fashion and style in each city. The diversity is really quite
fascinating. For example, I see a group of college students in a certain
district who dress in similarly dressy outfits - oversize sweater and
a-line mini skirt with pumps. The outfit itself is flattering and has
room for personalization, such as colour and detailing. On the other
hand, Vancouver is known for its casual West Coast flair and New York
has got its fashion-forward cool blacks. Style is a way to fit in and
relate to other people around you - whether it's with the same style of
outfit or the same type of outrageously different style. Think abut the
time when you commented on a coworker's new necklace. Boom, that is how a
personal connection is created. Could it be that the feeling of belonging
and the search for one's identity can go hand-in-hand without
compromising each other?
Next
time you are deciding on what to wear to an office party and you just
can't seem to find the right thing, remember that you are not there to
impress. You are there to connect and to relate, person to person.
By Cecilia Huang
No comments:
Post a Comment