Many people claim that having a lack of style is a choice, but it is often just a mask. “I don’t care about fashion.” This is more than just a cliché used by those who claim not to worry about how they look. It is actually the trademark of someone who lacks identity. Indeed, many judge minimalist fashion as authentic because it is “simple,” but in reality, they are merely proving Miranda Priestly’s famous speech. That blue sweater isn’t just a garment, it’s the result of millions of dollars invested in trends that trickled down to those who pride themselves on their lack of style.
When you say you don’t have a style, what you are actually saying is: “I don’t have an identity.”
The Camouflage of the Masses and the Lack of Style
To say “I wear practical and comfortable clothes” is often an admission of social cowardice. For example, have you ever seen dozens of people wearing the exact same thing, as if they stepped out of an industrial production line? By dressing exactly like the person next to you on the subway, you are effectively telling the world that you are just another brick in the wall. Consequently, you become a mannequin for a system that forces everyone to look identical.
Why a Lack of Style is a Social White Flag
You are hiding in the social amalgam because being authentic requires effort. However, effort is something the mediocre cannot afford. Fashion is not about luxury labels. On the contrary, it is about making the right choices. I personally buy several pieces from thrift stores and department stores. Therefore, the point is knowing how to “mine” for pieces that truly make sense for you. You don’t need haute couture to show personality, you do it through combinations and accessories.
Lack of Style or Automatic Pilot?
The person who lives on autopilot dresses on autopilot. They use the “uniform of invisibility” because they are afraid that if they wear something bold, they will need an identity to back up that choice. In addition, just because influencers are pushing pink pants doesn’t mean you have to wear them. First, because not everyone likes pink. Second, because that color might not suit your palette. And third, because “you are not everyone else”, that classic motherly advice people should listen to more often.
Building Your Identity and Your Personal Style
When you choose to be just like everyone else, you disappear. It isn’t self-confidence to wear what is “in style”, it is self-annihilation. Because of this, you are giving up on being the protagonist of your own life to become a background character.
Open your closet and ask yourself if what’s inside shows who you truly are. If you are serious, your clothes must reflect that. Finally, the next time you buy something, take your time. Research, analyze, and experiment. Acquire clothing that proves you don’t suffer from a lack of style or a lack of identity.