Being Comfortable In The Skin You’re In
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Being Comfortable In The Skin You’re In

I’m often told that I’m a bad stylist, because I’m all about wearing basically whatever the hell you want to wear. More often than not, stylists are encouraged to suggest certain styles and certain seasonal colours and what not.

Yes, I love fashion and style, and yes I do offer my own personal tips and tricks based on my own personal style and taste, but I’d like to think that everything I have to offer should be taken with a grain of salt.

I’ve always had a massive problem with caring a little too much about what certain people think about what I’m wearing, and I think that’s hugely unhealthy. Just a few days ago, I was getting ready for a Christmas party, and I decided to go with a pair of culottes and a long, flow top. Not everybody’s cup of tea I’d imagine, but I liked it a lot.

I then came out of my room, to my mother’s disgust, and she proceeded to have my sister and father inspect my outfit, both of whom continued to express their disgust in my chosen outfit. I went back into my room, and sifted through my wardrobe for the next 30 minutes – desperately searching for an alternative outfit. I eventually gave up, and left, deciding that I wouldn’t go to the party being so self conscious.

It wasn’t until after all that time had passed that it dawned on me; I don’t like my family’s taste in clothing. I mean, sure, their own personal style works for them, but it sure doesn’t work for me. Why was I looking for something they would like me to wear, when I already liked the outfit I was wearing?

Two hours late, but with a newfound appreciation for my own sense of style, I drove to the Christmas party only to have four different people compliment my outfit, one of which said, “I don’t know many people who could pull off that outfit, but you really are killing it”.

Being a young female adult, I definitely understand the pressure of trying to please others when it comes to what I’m wearing. In saying that, I think that it’s so important to try and push the barriers sometimes. I’m forever testing out new ways I can wear makeup, in forms of abnormal eyeshadow colours, and even grey lipstick — makeup is kind of my thing to experiment with. Funnily enough, it’s rare that I’m challenged when it comes to makeup; I’d like to think it’s because I wear it with confidence.

I say, if you want to wear culottes, a rainbow backpack, black lipstick, or if you’ve got a hankering to dye your hair bright red; do it. If there is anything I’ve learnt over the years, and should have reminded myself of the day of the Christmas party, is that clothing isn’t meant to be taken seriously. It’s meant to be tested and above all, fun.

Don’t ever let anybody definitively tell you what you should or should not wear, as long as you feel good, that’s all that is ever going to matter. Fashion is an art form, use it like one!

Written by Jessica Alves
@jessicazalves | youtube.com/msbonvivants