My New 'Fuck It' Attitude Toward Fashion

Reclaiming how I clothe my body

An outfit from this week: thrifted denim jacket and button up, cropped trousers from Aritzia, and New Balance 574s in Nimbus Cloud

You will never find me in fringe, leather, or sequins. I avoid at all costs plunging necklines, too much leg, loud colors and patterns, and unreasonable layers. I’m not daring or adventurous in how I clothe my body. I stick to the basics. Neutral colors, classic shapes, and predictable combinations. Some might say boring.

My fashion journey thus far has been strictly practical: I went from wearing what all the kids were wearing and what I could get away with shoplifting in my teens; to wearing what was affordable and already in my closet during college; to wearing activewear and gear that was given to me for free as part of my job throughout my 20s living in mountain town. Personal style has never been a top priority. I’ve always defaulted to blending in over standing out.

But I’ve felt braver lately.

And thus, my fashion rules are shifting. Maybe it’s living in a big city for the first time. Maybe it’s having more disposable income. Maybe it’s being inspired by fashion influencers. Maybe it’s entering my 30s and caring less what people think of me. Maybe it’s because I’m interested in challenging my creativity.

I’m unlearning my own rules—or let’s be real, the rules I adopted after traumatic moments of bullying, body shaming, and the male gaze.