Half of my life I attended private school, and the other half an Art school. I never got any sort of "real high school" experience (thank goodness), or had to deal with any of the horrid people that make going to school so difficult. One could say I was very lucky. I know a lot of my readers are teens, so I swear I have a point.
Throughout my life I have been surrounded by encouragement to be myself, and because of that I know exactly who I am and am sure of the choices I make. Most are not so fortunate to be encouraged, constantly being put down by the media, peers, and even family for making a different choice in the way they dress, or the things they like to do. So those who would otherwise be their own person are pressured into conforming to a mold that is created by everyone else but themselves, everyone else but the one person that matters: You.
You have your own tastes, and quirks, and way of expressing what makes you, you. It could be though clothes, it could be though music, it could be the way you treat other people, but either way you are in charge of that, and all I can do is hope that you don't let others discourage you from making you feel like being different is a bad thing. Those who put down people who are different are just too scared to be different themselves. It's true.
You may get a snide comment, or mean snicker from someone or other, but just remember that you have the courage to be your own person, while they can only stand by and watch.
I keep up this blog not to inspire you to dress like me but inspire you to dress how YOU want, and accept loving what YOU love. I am not an average person and neither are you, and I encourage you to make the most of that.
Blouse and hat: The Urban Eccentric
Skirt: Buffalo Exchange
Sweater: Thrifted
Socks: TJ Maxx
Shoes: Nordstrom
Gloves: Estate sale
Bag: Michael Kors
29 comments:
What a wonderful post, Solanah!
Like you, I've mostly been surrounded by encouragement but it's always lovely to have a little reminder that being yourself is truly the most important thing.
-Andi x
Thanks for such a lovely inspirational post! It certainly brightened my day!
Well, you can tell me to dress in my own style, but I am still totally going to steal the heels+knee socks idea from you ;) It's so cute!
What a lovely post, and an adorable outfit.
This is such a fantastic post! It is so important to remember. Thank you!
Hear, hear. =)
Thanks for this post! I can relate to it in many ways: I must say high school - private, Catholic high school, but nonetheless with a lot of peer pressure - was what brought to me the longing for style and fashion (my family was sort of poor at that time and I couldn't afford new clothing) but also the stupid fear of not fitting in (because, of course, I was ridiculed without end for having to wear my mom's carrot pants and huge eighties pullovers as a teenage girl in the late 90s... ). I'm still not quite over the latter, and this keeps me from wearing all my pretty, dressy, feminine things to grad school. Kind of annoying. But there's hope, isn't there?
Greetings,
poet
You really are an amazing person. And thanks for reminding every one else including me who's a bit quirky, that it's okay to like that. Exactly it's much nicer to be different and quirky than plain boring like the rest of the world :). So thank you so much for this post!! It really reminds me not to care about those nasty comments.
x
You are one inspiring lady :) You're absolutely right too and it's something I need to try and remember!
Aaand this is why you're at the top of my blog-checking list. Because you don't just dress well, you're *good*.
Wonderful post. And a sock/skirt combo that is almost just as fine!
your not average at all... you is a crazy cat lady.
HAHAH I am kidding. I am kidding, good post I could not agree more :)
Well said!
This is a wonderful post, Solanah. :)
This is a great post! I'm 28, so I feel like I'm a bit older than a lot of people in the style blogging world (not that there isn't a big age range out there) and I wish I'd been able to read style blogs like yours 15 years ago. At that time, I was beginning to feel the urge to express my own POV through clothing. I didn't feel the need to fit in or even look pretty and, boy, did I get crap because of it. It didn't stop me from dressing how I wanted and doing what I liked, but I ended up with a chip on my shoulder that took a while to shake off. So kudos to you for such a great and thoughtful post, which I hope a lot of people will take to heart!
Such a sweet and encouraging post.
This is such a refreshing and encouraging post! I definitely look to the vintage blogging world for a sense of community. I can say I've had some bumps in the road of expression recently. I grew up near San Francisco, where you could go outside naked with a bowl of fruit on your head and no one who bat an eye. Since then I've lived in New York and Seattle; both similar places, filled with individuality and encouraging creativity.
2 years ago, I moved to Washington DC. What a different world! Young women my age literally glare at me everywhere I am. My boyfriend didn't believe me for the longest time, but now he sees it, sometimes even when I don't. It's really disheartening to be in an atmosphere where any deviation from the norm is beaten down. Luckily though, being in a city full of museums means there all always old ladies around to say kind words!
Oh, what a lovely post, so well put :) I still have a hard time being brave enough to be completely myself sometimes, but I shall try!
Lovely outfit, as usual! Have a wonderful weekend.
Agreed!
I think that's one of my favorite things about the internet/blogs - confirmation that you aren't the only one who likes a certain thing, has a certain lifestyle or dresses in vintage. :-)
I was homeschooled through highschool and (fortunately) didn't have to deal with (too many) people questioning my tastes. I'm really glad I had that freedom to develop my own interests, regardless of what was popular at the time or how my peers would've reacted.
Anyway, great reminder!
This is a sweet post. I'm 23 and I still second-guess my personality so often, so it's refreshing to see someone know who they are at such a young age. And, this errs on the fashion side of this post, I've noticed that even in the past couple weeks I've been reading your blog I've been feeling more bold about taking fashion risks.
I'm way older than your teen readers, but your message hit home even for me. :)
You are such a special person, Solanah!
I am glad you were able to make it through school without some of the negative experiences others have gotten by dressing how they would have liked in high school.
I used to wear feather boas on the bottom of my pants to make it look like I was walking in a cloud. A few people laughed, but most were kind enough to compliment me.
Side note: Someone wrote about your Etsy shop on one of those content sites. You got props! http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2197511/5_best_etsy_shops_for_vintage_clothing.html?cat=46
Thanks
Feathergirl, thanks for the link, I had no idea!
And your pants sound amazing :)
here here!We all need a little extra encouagement from time to time-it is easy to get bogged down in the negative.i always enjoy your "up" energy.
thank you for this post.
i've been struggling with "who i am" and "what defines me" ever since graduating college. i thought it would be my honors degree, with which would come a job, but with a lack of jobs available, i really struggled. i felt like it was all for nothing, and fell a bit.
but i fell on the next best thing: my love of vintage. having no retail experience, i stapled pictures of myself in my collection to a stripped-down resume, and landed myself a job at a vintage store. now i know i can be more than my degree, and while others (my father) may think i'm not living up to the standards, i'm happy with where i am. because i finally matter to myself.
thanks again.
I'm recently discovered your blog and I am now a huge fan - not only because of your beautiful sense of style but also because of your wonderful positivity. That is beautiful and shines through everything, it's true elegance. Your post is actually really well timed - I'm in my last year of high school and your post really brightened my day (that and the fact that I'm planning on whipping out my favorite new red lipstick tomorrow). Thanks for encouraging women to be their fabulous selves. I'm usually much more of a bloglurker but I just wanted to say that you brightened my day! Thanks
thank you so much for this post... i know you wrote it ages ago but i have only just read it and it made me feel so much better. I get all sorts of snide comments from people (even my friends) at school but this post really made me realize why i dress vintage! by the way your blog is amazing and you look so beautiful in all of your vintage clothes! :D xx
I know it probably seems awkward that I comment on such an old post but I'd like to add that I loved this post. I dress in vintage and it seems it's not as well received for me as it may be for others. My dad doesn't care for my style and always says "Ohh so how is it in the 40's?". My brother thinks it's silly too. BUT, I have had a ton of strangers compliment me so I guess it can go either way. Basically, I think this post was refreshing when I tend to second guess my style and consider just wearing what everyone else wears as to not stand out.
It's also nice to know that someone else my age is as passionate about the past as I am. Thanks Solanah!
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