FASHION and COURAGE?

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." 

E.E Cummings

Everyone talks about having individual style, and expressing one's self through fashion, but they miss to mention one key element on achieving it.

COURAGE.

One of the biggest road blocks to finding your personal fashion aesthetic, is having to go against what everyone else is doing. We learn very early on, that being "different" is a negative thing, with embarrassing consequences.

 Fashion trends guarantee you a level of security that people will accept you and admire you. 

It makes obtaining success easier, and gives you a barrier of ultimate safety. You have the majority backing a singular idea, and anyone who defies it, is in the minority.

Why in the world would you ever risk failure by pursuing your own ideas?!

"Courage is the main quality of leadership, in my opinion, no matter where it is exercised. Usually it implies some risk- especially in new undertakings." 

-Walt Disney

Pursue your own fashion identity, even if it terrifies you, because it is your personal responsibility to yourself. Yes, it creates huge risks, and people will most likely mock you, but the rewards will be immense. Why?When you create your own sense of style, you take the power back. What others are doing or thinking  won't matter.You will define yourself based on what you believe, feel, and desire. 

This life is yours, explore it free from manipulation. 

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other people's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." 

-Steve Jobs

Applying Steve Jobs' Wisdom to Fashion

For those of you who may live in a box and have not heard about the Genius  Entrepreneur, and Innovator of the "i" Generation, Steve Jobs was CEO of IMAC, iPhone, iPad, and iPod, literally transforming the World of Technology and placing it into the touch of our hands. 

Steve Jobs, in his signature, black top, jeans, and sneakers, may not be considered "fashionable" in conventional terms, nor may you see him grace  the pages of VOGUE. However, let's think outside of the box and apply his wisdom directly into Fashion. 

1. Have No Regrets

We all believe we have a long time to live. However, the reality is, we are never guaranteed, "tomorrow". How many times have you wished you could wear a certain look, and stopped ourself for whatever reason, or promised yourself you will put more effort on another day? 

Dress for today, and have no regrets. 

2.) Look deeper than the surface.

 People are so quick to judge Fashion as merely what you wear and what you look like. When in reality the focus should be placed on the intention, and desire to figuring  out who you really are. The result of what you look like, and the competition that follows is not nearly as important as the understanding of yourself as a unique being needing an outlet for expression.

3.) Ignore the opinions that drown your own. 

We are so quick to look to others for answers on who we are. From magazines, internet, television, celebrity, etc. someone is always placing their ideas on fashion as the "right" one creating a world wide web of "competition". 

Why is it, we avoid looking to ourselves for our own answers?

 

4.) Love What You Do.

I can't begin to tell you how "Love", connects you to life. Anything you "love", you will do your best. There have been countless times, that I have worn beautiful outfits that "looked" rather great. However, it was somehow, not me. It wasn't like a second skin, and it felt a bit like a costume. You know that feeling when you may "like" someone, but it definitely isn't "love". Finding a style is a similar process of understanding the difference between how you look from how you feel. There are many things that make you look good, but very few that make you feel like you've found yourself. 

4.) Money is not Everything.

Society places so much emphasis on making more money to buy more stuff. Fashion is not any different, and stepping up the fashion ladder should not be associated with buying more or spending more. This link between fashion and money is created to make you shop. When in reality, Fashion is always linked to you. 

5.) Have Courage.

Having a voice is hard, but making it heard can be terrifying. Wearing something that YOU like, and You think looks good, takes courage. In our pursuit to always be the "best", we immediately eliminate or hide our so called, "flaws". 

Instead of celebrating our thoughts we often times depend on trends to verify if our idea was good or bad. Does everyone agree it looks good? Is everyone wearing it now? 

If we ever want to live in a world not based on "popularity" why not step out of the "trend" line and start doing your own thing. 

6.) Editing is Necessary.

Just step into any department store, or google clothes, and you have literally a billion choices at your finger tips. Even Coco Chanel is famously known for saying, "Before you leave the house, remove one piece." 

Steve Jobs also accredits much of his success in his ability of eliminating what  NOT to do, over what to do. The process of "editing", is important in every element of life, and holds true for fashion as well. With such excess in our world, elimination is the key to success.

7.) Always follow your heart and intuition.

Most importantly, stay true to your fashion intuition. If something draws you in and you don't know why, don't let public opinion sway you away. Follow those instincts, and inch your way closer to a style custom designed for you.