Fly sunnies, thrifted top, necklace and studded bracelets
“There is something about fashion that can make people very nervous.”
This striking and clever quote would be one of the few lines that I won’t forget from the fashion documentary—The September Issue—by American Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. It’s something that I really wanted to reflect on, not because of the person who said it, but because I was struck by its mysterious sense. I even recalled that I constantly hit the play button just to clearly understand its tiny barrier.
However, it seems that the clarity that I want to get won’t be provided by my VLC player. It rather pushed me to thrust my laptop away and put me into the know-how position.
And — I actually did.
Primarily, I’m the type of fashion enthusiast who often goes to see their own country’s fashion week. Here in Philippines, Spring-Summer collection happens every last week of October. So, on that time, as a typical “Patrick” that I am, I invited some of my friends to watch a designer’s show. (But it was actually a spur-of-the-moment invite since they had a get together that day.)
Then, when we were already gathered, the first thing that I would not fail to remember was their stunned eyes and their ample smiles—looking so surprised to see me—and my outfit.
I thought everything will go smoothly throughout that moment.
Yet, when we were already lining up at the show’s venue, unexpectedly, one of them exclaimed something that was clearly marked on my head. She expressed it without hesitation, and in a strong conviction manner saying, “We really don’t belong in this world,” then continuously justifying that it is my very own world. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to defend myself after that little bluntness.
She was implying the fashion world, obviously. (In fact, they were also distracted and worried by some sheer fashionistas there whom they thought will criticize them because of their outfit.)
After that incident—though they told me, after the show, it was a cunning collection, so my invitation was somehow a complete success—it seemed that my chance into digging Anna Wintour’s quote will happen twofold.
Just recently, after I had dinner with my college friends, while strolling down the mall, one of them willfully asked me, “Do we really need fashion in our life?” It’s a good question, if I must say—however, my answer to her was sort of a vague impression. But in fact, it depends on her definition of fashion. And I guess, for her, fashion is for particular individuals only. (It took me several hours to realize it.)
Perhaps those events that I happen to tangle with can suggest why people are very nervous or frightened of fashion; it’s the touch of belongingness that they cannot seem to feel, the deficiency to ooze their true personality, and the insecurity that they’re obtaining when someone is suitably dapper than them.
In some way, I’m thinking they've got the wrong perception about it. For instance, when I am fully clad with floral or subtle prints, some people will always assume that I’m a complete fashionista. But the truth is, I don’t consider myself to be one. I’m just fond of wearing prints because I wanted to show to the world that I’m a playful, cheerful, happy-go-lucky, and feminine person.
In short, fashion for me is all about making a statement. It functions to express your confined feelings or the unexpressed meanings behind your look. And that’s the pleasure about it; you can make a statement by not heaving at the top of your voice for your total look can definitely convey it vociferously to the world. In this way, you will be able to lead them on the path where they can read between the lines or read between your outfit.
Moreover, the most important thing that you must always remember is that you are dressing up for you and for yourself only, not for others just to impress them.
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