Nobody likes to wear uniforms. The main challenge is that they are designed to be uniform – in that they strip us of our individuality and force us to blend in with the crowds, indeed, they are purposely engineered to make us look the same as everyone else… so when we get the chance to reveal our “true colours” we want to embrace the opportunity to reveal our true selves.
Dressing fashionably isn’t always as simple as it seems, which is where the concept of a uniform can be quite handy; on the one hand it goes against our fundamental need to be an individual but on the other, it evens the playing field as not everyone is blessed with great fashion sense or an abundance of cash to buy the latest and greatest outfits.
However, one thing’s for sure, when it’s non-uniform day it can feel like your time to shine – in that you naturally want to look at your best; no doubt, you’ll want to express your individuality by showing the world who you are.
The challenge, of course, is that it can be difficult to find the balance between standing out in a good way and standing out in a bad way. However, if you wear clothes that you love where the focus is more on how you feel about your outfit; with less concern for the opinion of others – you can’t go wrong.
Unfortunately, beauty and fashion is emphasized within movies, magazines and even social media so much that we are often made to feel like it’s not okay to just be you – like you, as a person, aren’t good enough; it’s as if you need the latest outfit or special potion just in order to ‘survive’ on a social level… but a lot of this feeling is due to the propaganda created by advertising agencies that preys on people’s insecurity that they aren’t “enough” as they are.
The truth is, you being yourself, is “enough”.
When it comes to non-uniform days, the most fundamental principle to bear in mind is that you express yourself for who you really are. Here are three ways to let your personality shine through:
#1: Customized Sportswear
If you’re a huge sports fan, then you could consider getting custom-made outfits such as basketball uniforms from places like Cisco Athletic that let you personalize the items with your name, or perhaps the name of your favorite player, which can be a good way to highlight your passion and allegiance.
#2: Wear Something Quirky
If you were to wear reasonably plain clothes such as jeans and a nice fitting top but then accessorize with something quirky and colorful such as a scarf, or hat, this is a great way to let your personality shine through in a subtle way without it being too ‘in your face’.
#3: Wear Something Meaningful
If you have a favorite outfit because, as an example, a relative gave you a particular item before they passed away – or even an accessory such as a piece of jewelry this can be a great way to express yourself in a very personal way; that is less about what others think and more about the association you have with it.
In summary, we are all worried about what other people think about us – particularly when it comes to our physical appearance. The key point is to focus on being comfortable with what you’re wearing and making sure it expresses who you feel you are; not who you feel you should be in order to conform to the status quo or please others.
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