I have been told by some that being interested in fashion is borderline materialistic. I would agree that is the case for some people. When you obsess about clothes to the point where you're making sure you're buying things to fulfill your every desire before you even take care of basic needs and responsibilities, your interest in fashion has gone too far. When you've become so wrapped up in fashion that it's "beneath" you to purchase clothes from Target, or, heaven forbid, the thrift store, your interest in fashion has gone too far. When you're using clothes and accessories to be "pretty, popular, and charismatic," your interest in fashion has gone too far. Not that you can't use fashion to look good, but if your only purpose has a foundation in vanity...well, yeah, that's too far. But there are some of us, and I include myself in this, where fashion is just a fun and artistic form of personal expression. I love the above quote because it explains how I feel exactly.

If you've read my About Me, you'll have seen I have said that I am a woman of many interests. It's true. Psychology and zoology are two big ones. Growing up, my career choices changed constantly. I just love how many possibilities there are in this world. Fashion is just another possibility. So why did I choose to do a blog on fashion? Because it can reflect who we are and I like to showcase that. People tend to wear clothes that reflect them, that reflect their personality, that reflect how they are currently feeling. You're unlikely to find a tomboy in a cutesy dress. People don't usually wear bright and cheerful colors at a funeral, because darker colors symbolize mourning...the sadness they feel inside over the loss of life. Bright and bold colors and patterns are often worn by very outgoing individuals, while more introverted people commonly wear neutral tones. Of course, there is always an exception to everything...but this is a general pattern. Fashion, and how we choose to wear it, is tied in closely to psychology. It becomes a statement of who we are. It is the first visual impression we give people. Don't believe me? Try interviewing for a prestigious law firm in ripped up jeans, a tattered tshirt, and flip flops. Let me know how that works out for you. You see, you're not dressing ONLY for yourself. You are telling people through what you wear, "this is who I am."

My own tastes in fashion are widespread. They can be girly. They can be completely the opposite. I love skulls and gravitate towards items that have them. I can't say that's a very girly thing. Yet, at the same time, I have a few adorable sundresses bookmarked that I'd like to purchase. Yesterday's Sunday Style was of me in a green skater dress and cute nude wedges. Do you know what I changed into later that night? Tron pajama pants and a Doctor Who tshirt...my movie and tv show obsessions. Both styles reflected me. For this reason, I must stress how important it is not to get caught up in trends. If you genuinely love a trend, which there are some that I do, go for it! But if you're doing something simply because it's a trend, you are not letting fashion be a reflection of YOU. You are letting it be a reflection of Vogue or [insert your favorite fashion magazine/blog]. Don't do that. When you do that, you ultimately look foolish...no matter how good looking your clothes and accessories are.

No matter what your size or age, let fashion be the art of personal self expression.