By Katie Gomez
Staff reporter
Have you ever walked by someone wearing a hideous outfit and thought to yourself, “What were they thinking?” Unfortunately for others, I do it on a daily basis.
Like most adolescents, I had spent those embarrassing middle school years trapped in an awkward body. My wardrobe consisted of baggy shorts and oversized t-shirts. Fashion just didn’t matter to me. Then I got to high school and a bomb went off. I’d spent my life watching movies and reading about celebrities in magazines so it was only natural that I became interested in fashion. I started experimenting with different styles and clothes. Most of my outfits were original and funky. I absolutely loved coming to school and never having to worry about someone else wearing the same thing.
My philosophy is to never be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life’s too short to blend in. I’m not a model and I’m not a fashion designer, but I read enough fashion magazines and follow enough celebrities to know what’s in style and what’s a fashion no-no. Don’t get me wrong, wearing cute clothes doesn’t stop me from getting those public stares. Clothes that would be seen as fashion forward in New York or L.A. are considered weird in the Midwest. In a small town like Winfield, fashion obviously isn’t at the top of people’s priorities.
If I had a dollar for every time I saw someone wearing jeans, a t-shirt and tennis shoes, I’d have plenty of money to support my very expensive shopping habit. I don’t understand why people can’t add a little style to their wardrobes. It’s not like you have to pay a lot to look good. Stores like Forever 21 and H&M make it easy and affordable to buy clothes that are in style. Even Target features designer clothes to buy on a budget. If you find an expensive BCBG top that you just have to have, pair it with jeans from American Eagle and inexpensive accessories from Forever 21. This way you can afford the whole outfit without ditching the couture piece. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and sale racks should never be overlooked. Some of the best outfits are made from clothes that other people don’t want. I get the most compliments on a used green cap that I got for $4 at a thrift store that most people assume I paid big bucks for. The trick is to find your own style and work it with fashionable pieces.
There’s nothing I hate more than walking into Walmart and seeing large women in small clothing. Newsflash. If your butt is hanging out of your shorts, you need bigger clothes. There’s nothing shameful about being a curvy woman unless you’re trying to squeeze yourself into jeans you clearly don’t fit into. And guys, if your pants hang below your boxers, buy a belt because nobody wants to see your stuff. You may not know a lot about fashion, but that doesn’t mean you have to dress like a slob.
We all have those days where we just want to be comfortable and don’t feel like getting dressed, but that doesn’t mean we have to do it every day. Eventually you have to pull yourself together and wear clothes that you didn’t potentially sleep in the night before. We are in college, but we’re also adults, and eventually we will have to look clean and professional every day. Why not start now?
Former president, Thomas Jefferson, once said “On matters of principle, stand like a rock. On matters of fashion, swim with the current.” The next time you wake up and think about going to class in your sweats, take a few minutes to pick out an outfit, throw on some cute shoes and accessories and try something new. You never know who you’re going to impress. Life is a fashion show and each day is a runway. Your outfit might suck, but at least you were brave enough to do something different.
In an attempt to bring out the inner Dior in all of us (and because I’m tired of seeing the same old boring outfits around campus), here are a list of Fall’s fashion do’s and don’ts.
Do wear boots. They look great on almost everyone and can be worn with skirts or pants. Fall has fell and shades of pumpkin, navy, brown, mustard, and plum are replacing summer’s brights, such as yellow, pink, and aqua. Do mix black, brown, and cream. The taboo rule of mixing blacks and browns is outdated, so long as you don’t mix a black belt and brown shoes. Cold weather may be coming, but don’t wear all black. Throw in a pop of color, such as a turquoise purse. Don’t match. Try mixing different textures or prints, just don’t go overboard. Most importantly, don’t be boring. Do try new things and have fun with your clothes. Wear the outfit, don’t let it wear you.
Katie Gomez is a junior majoring in communication. You may e-mail her at kathryn.gomez@sckans.edu.
Really
I find this article very offensive. Life is too short to be spending it trying to impress others. We shouldn’t be judging each other on the fact if they can put cute clothes together. Instead we should be concentrating on the important things in life like family and friends. If someone is going to judge me based on my appearance than I could honestly care less. And I am in a profession where I do wear scrubs every day so no I will not be “dressing up” every day. I like to be comfortable and I definitely agree with nicole that I am more concerned about learning. I mean if you had me as a nurse when you are in the hospital are you going to be more worried about what I’m wearing or if im competent in the care I am providing? I would hope you would pick the latter. And as far as talking about big women, don’t judge them until you have walked a mile in their shoes because you have no idea where they come from or what they go through on a daily basis. I’m sure their confidence isn’t as high as well and they do not need others constantly judging them. So how about we spend less time judging others and start treating everyone with a little more respect and dignity.
I agree with you Katie! I think it is important to look your best if you have time. It doesn’t take much to put together an outfit, and I personally feel a lot better about myself when I am put together! I am not saying that I never wear shorts and a t-shirt to class, because I do, but it is usually when I am headed to practice soon or haven’t done laundry in a while!
I love your cute outfits! Let’s go shopping!
Well I just wanted to say that I wouldn’t mind the article if it was written with some taste. I took personal offense to some of the content and the way it was written. I understand she was trying to make it fun and interesting – she definitely got our attention – just the wrong kind of attention. There is not one person that I have talked to that hasn’t thought the article was hurtful in one way or another. I think I wouldn’t have minded the article topic if it wasn’t so blunt and crude.
This is one of the most superficial things I have read in awhile.
I guess it strikes me in an offensive way because I am one of those people who dress for comfort rather than trying to impress someone. Nine times out of ten, my body is so sore from practice and games that I’d rather spend my last moments resting then waking up an extra hour to put on clothes that I’m just going to have to change out of after that class.
Even if I did venture out of my , my outfit “might still suck” anyway. There’s a lot to say about this topic, but most of it should be common morals. I.e. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
A lot of females on this campus don’t agree with your “advice,” and think that being real instead of putting on a show to impress someone, makes them unique in their own right.
And last time I checked, students didn’t have to dress up everyday to get a degree.
Who do we have to impress for one class at 8 or 9 in the morning? I personally don’t care what anyone looks like in class I’m going to learn something. In college I now look back at high school and laugh at how worthless it was to dress cute everyday. I also realize you are not an athelete so you don’t have to wear work out clothes everyday, but personally I can spare myself time and laundry by just wearing the clothes I plan on wearing to practice to class as well. I don’t have time to change in between class and practice some days. Not to mention I don’t give two licks about who thinks what about my appearance. In a lot of countries students are required to wear uniforms to class to prevent distractions. You go ahead and dress up however you like and judge people based on appearance. I’d rather stick to my sweats and focus on other things.
Nicole, I completely agree with you. Who cares what people think and what we are dressing like now. We are going to college to get an education. When it comes to fashion forward things, it is only in the eyes of who is wearing it. Not for someone else to judge. And for those over- sized women who are wearing little cloths, who are you to judge? As long as you feel comfertable and confident, more power to you. Maybe you should try to be overweight and try to find cloths that fit. Again who are you to judge. Again Nicole I completely agree with you and that right now students at SC are more worried about their grades and not about what everyone else is wearing. Maybe those judgemental people should get a life and stop trying to envolope their lives around other peoples. Exist for yourself not for the impression of other people. Get a clue.