By: Amelia-Rose Williams
Since kindergarten, I’ve always loved fashion. I watched old runways, flipped through magazines, raided my mother’s heel collection, all while pretending I was a runway model in our upstairs hallway. Even practicing my walk for when I became one.
Growing up, my parents were pretty frugal with their spending; they didn’t believe that, as growing children, luxury clothes and shoes were practical. While they made a fair point, I attended predominantly white institutions my entire life where that ideology just wasn’t accepted.Â
Furthermore, while attending junior high, it was really hard not to conform to the idea that luxury and following trends meant acceptance. Given the fact that most of these kids had the money to afford high-end items, I always felt out of the loop wearing last season’s trends.Â
I wore patterns that “didn’t go together”, eccentric shoes, colors that were bold and “out there”. I didn’t know what I liked; I just saw what others had and thought that was what I needed to fit in. I was desperate to feel like one of them.
While everyone made fun of me behind my back, I fell into a slump and wanted to really find myself. COVID hit towards the end of junior high, which meant I had the perfect opportunity to figure out what deeply connected with me.
I sifted through minimalism, maximalism, scene, vintage, decora, grunge, coquette, indie, earthy, and so much more! I realized I like most of these aesthetics and it was extremely difficult to find just one that I identified with. So, I decided to combine all of these aesthetics into various parts.
Incorporating each into different components of my outfits, playing around with colors, layering, and various types of jewelry. Once I started dressing in these new garments, I grew a sense of confidence, realized that money doesn’t buy style and I didn’t care about what people thought of me.
It was as though the clothing blocked out the noise and put a shield in front of me that protected me from any negativity. I got compliments, which was something I had never experienced before this, and I gained a sense of self.
Upgrading your style does so much for your character development; it gives you a higher sense of being, inspires you, and sets you apart from the rest. As it stands, I don’t care what people think of me now; I love how I dress, mismatched patterns and all!