Dress for Yourself — Not for Anyone Else

 You are your own runway. Strut!

I hate looking like everyone else. While I like styles and trends, I always try to put my own spin on what the masses wear. When I was a teen, I worked my first job in high school. It was in a Junior Achievement Program that helped students become entrepreneurs. Once we completed the program, we received two hundred dollars. For a poor city kid being raised by a single mom, that two hundred dollars felt like two million.

When I received the money, I was over the moon. I never had so much money in my life! I kept a piggy bank with pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters — but paper money was hard to come by. If my mom wasn’t paying bills or buying groceries, she had to clothe my brother and me. There wasn’t much left over, even for my mom.

With the money, my first instinct was to spend it. I wanted to go shopping in Downtown Crossing. At the time, the trendiest stores were Tello’s, Rainbows, and Filene’s/Filene’s Basement. Other stores included Marshalls, Jordan Marsh, and The Limited. Prices were much lower in the 90s, so I knew my money would go far.

But I knew I should also save some of the money. A part of me didn’t want to see the funds disappear too quickly. I was the type of kid that wanted to enjoy something as long as possible. When my mom would take us to the ice cream shop, my brother would gobble down his cone while mine would last all the way home (almost two miles). So, I made the two hundred dollars last for a month.

As I grew older and began making more money, I expanded my shopping tastes. Today, I shop at Macy’s, Kohl’s, Bloomingdale, and H&M, to name a few. I also shop in thrift stores. My style is eclectic. I don’t want to wear what everyone else is wearing. While I’m aware of trends, I don’t follow them. I create my style based on my personality.

Often, people will comment on my outfits. Either they love my look, or they have a confused expression. In the Black community, it’s usually challenging to be unique. In my city, many Black people try to blend in — not stand out. I work as a teacher, and some students are obsessed with my style. I like color, bold prints, and unique patterns. I can be monochromatic one day or mixing colors the next. I dress for my mood — or the weather. Some people don’t follow that way of dressing. They want to wear the clothes celebrities wear.

Many students wear dark colors like black, blue, or gray. The colors are often drab and muted, like they’re trying to hide within their clothes. They dress in hoodies, baggy sweats or jeans, and Crocs or sneakers. When they wear color, it draws the attention of their peers, and you don’t see the outfit again. It’s sad because peer pressure prevents some students from expressing themselves.

I don’t care what students or society say about my outfits. If I spend the money, I’m going to wear the clothes. I need a return on my investment. I see clothing as an investment in future trends. If a trend says stripes are in, I’m covered. If a trend says abstract designs are in, I’m covered. If the trend says monochromatic, I’m covered. My closet has everything I need to be as stylish as I want.

So if you want to wear your polka dot overalls with your red platforms and leopard print blouse — do it. You are not beholden to anyone when it comes to your style. Your outfits reflect who you are and what you say to the world. Society will say no, but you say yes. Forget what people think! They’re not you! And why should you be like them? Drab and dreary do not work for me. Give me vibrant colors!

Now, go get dressed! The world is waiting!