Can You Please Spell "Gabbana"

Musings on Dressing Like a Main Character

In certain types of movies there is, inevitably, a makeover scene. The moment where the main character is transformed from who they were into who other people think they should be. Often, by the end of the movie, the main character has found their happiness somewhere in-between who they were and who they became.

That’s what I’m looking for: my happy medium of who I was and who “trends” are telling me to be. Because, look, momma hates a trend. Most trends are not made for any sort of body type that isn’t a slim, tall size-0. What trends are made for, however, is making you feel bad about yourself.

Not comfortable in crop tops? Jokes on you, that’s what’s in fashion. Low rise jeans your nightmare? They’re back, baby! No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make the “trendy” clothes work for me. I’d look in my closet and think “I have nothing to wear.” I’d go shopping and become distraught in the dressing room, on the verge of a breakdown, because my body doesn’t look like it did at 25 and now clothes fit me differently and NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY, BUTTON FLYS ON JEANS JUST DON’T WORK FOR ME.

Then I realized: I don’t need to follow trends. I just need to wear what I like.

Consciously choosing how you want to express yourself via what you wear is a big “I am the main character of my own life” moment. Choosing to wear what you like, what feels good to you, is the minute you grow into the leading role of your own life.

Recently, I decided I don’t want to buy trendy tops. I love white t-shirts and jeans. I love the versatility of that outfit — of the way you can dress it up or down with accessories. I realized I enjoy being comfortable and looking cute at the same time. I don’t want to sacrifice being comfortable for the sake of “looking trendy”.

I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time wearing things I didn’t love, things that made me uncomfortable, because I felt like that’s what I should be wearing to keep up with everyone else and look like everyone else.

But here’s the rub: when you wear things you don’t 100% love, you’re never going to enjoy yourself. Instead, you’ll spend your time wondering if you look fat, tugging your skirt down, fixing your top, adjusting your straps. You’ll fail to really enjoy the moment or live in the experience because your head is worried about other things.

And that sucks.

So I decided I’m just not going to do it anymore — I’m not going to follow trends. I’m not going to hate myself for not fitting into clothes that really aren’t made for me. I’m going to find my own style, embrace my own look, and have fun doing it. I never again want to be uncomfortable because of what I’m wearing. It’s just annoying, at this point.

I’m choosing happiness. I’m choosing enjoyment. I’m choosing my own style so that I can be the best, most comfortable version of myself.

I’m choosing to be the lead of my own life.

xx

Jenn