To wear or not to wear: think of all the times we’ve spent trying to solve this Shakespearean doubt, not to mention the external pressure of questions like “what will they say?” and “how will I look?” Often, this dilemma can have a heavier force in our decisions rather than our own preferences. And that’s not necessarily bad; otherwise chaos would reign in the world, not only aesthetically, but in terms of social compatibility and individual or shared demeanor.
Dressing yourself is, in a way, a discriminating act. It’s not about being understood, but being part of a community and belonging, which can be achieved by finding similarities in lifestyle, age, and region, and also by knowing who you are.
From ancient times up to today, and with different and numerous justifications –religion, politics, obscenity, scandal, excessive luxury–, various jurisdictions have enforced dress codes that mark tribes, castes, and lifestyles.
The first case can be found in the Locrian Code, a written compendium of Greek laws that was written and declared by the legendary Zaleucus for the ancient Greek city of Locri (7th century BCE). These decrees prohibit women from wearing golden dresses and refined silks if they are not a bride. It was also imposed that married women should wear only white clothing and always be accompanied by a slave in public; only virgins could dress in different colored clothing. So one’s choice in clothing was nothing of taste, but an obligation to one’s society.
However, throughout history people have attempted to take advantage of laws that normalize what is acceptable and what is not, especially regarding what women can wear in public. This phenomenon, far from being eradicated, remains as a current reality that still attempts to regulate fashion, behavior and personality. Women, for instance, are still regulated regarding their level of maturity. Therefore, they have a strict clothing timeline that’s based on stereotypes or the repression of one’s impulses.
If you are over 20 years old, just to mention a specific case in Western Culture, it would be unthinkable to continue wearing some of the following items, not because you shouldn’t dress as you please, but because in general, according to the systems in which we live, would you go looking for a job carrying a skateboard in a backpack? Or would you go to a romantic date in overalls?
Turn the page once and for all and do not repeat these looks in your life as an adult woman, please.
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Shortalls
Because no, you’re not in first grade, right?
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BFF
No one needs to know that your best friend is forever connected to you.
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Printed rompers
While some pieces may be revisited at other moments of your life, it’s not going to be the one your mother chose for you in kindergarten.
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Metallic sneakers
They are flashy and very beautiful and best be avoided.
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College girl
If you prefer to be this, it’s better to opt for a preppy look that makes you look sophisticated rather than childish.
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Skater girl
To begin with, Avril Lavigne is outdated. Moreover, you’ll not live forever on a skateboard drinking soda in the neighborhood minimart. You can look alternative and still look amazing.
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Labeled apparel
No one, absolutely no one, needs to see the brand name printed postal-size on your outfits.
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Lace socks
Unless you have a well-planned kinderwhore look, say goodbye to your childhood underwear.
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This is not a attempting to be a political discourse, for in certain countries like India wearing bikini to the beach is considered immoral. In countries where religious regulations are forced, certain items of clothing are prohibited. Fortunately, this is not the case of most of Western countries. The point is to have a multifaceted life, full of adaptations, and not stuck in a single stagnant modality. Some rules were made to be broken.
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Translated by Joseph Reiter
