No Justification Needed
There are layers when telling a story. There is the basic telling of the story, that could be any medium, vocal, musical, cinematic; in the case of Bards, we tell stories through clothing. Your appearance can tell the world about who you are. Endowed with this power you are able to then verbalize and further convince one of your merits.
I have been a student of storytelling all my life. Small moments have defined my understanding of the importance of telling a good story. Those moments were often in the most unexpected places. While in my undergraduate studies I took an elective philosophy course. The course was wild. The professor informed us that the world of philosophy is more than simply researching the classics for a higher understanding, it is an active battle ground for the understanding of Free Will. Academics publish their works trying to disprove each other by introducing characters like a nefarious neurosurgeon. This is a topic too vast for this forum, but you have an understanding of the wit and precision needed to step into this field. The professor bestowed upon the class many great tips for writing a paper of conviction. The one that has always stuck with me was simple, yet profound: preemptively justifying your statement will weaken it.
In the form of writing this looks like, “In my opinion….” If you are writing a paper, and you insert “In my opinion”, it weakens the bedrock of your argument because it becomes a safeguard. You remove the conviction. I know it’s your opinion, you wrote the paper. Say what you came here to say and then the meaningful discussion can ensue.
This hit me like a ton of bricks. Well over a decade later, I have found that this tip can be used when dressing. People often feel the need to convince themselves and others of their style choices. If one finds a fun accessory, and is asked about it, one might say, “Yeah, I don’t know, I thought it was cute.” I have been around others who bring up something they bought, “I thought this was fun, I found it at this small shop and wanted to try it out.” My attention is now focused on your insecurity, when it should be focused on the strength of your outfit and what drew you too the shop.
When trying a new look, don’t assume people will question your style change. Don’t assume people will want to hear the reasoning behind why you bought it. The more compelling story is told when the confidence is apparent, and you tell those around you, where you bought it, and what it meant to you.
“I don’t know, I thought it was cute” vs “I was on vacation with my boyfriend, and we passed this shop, it had all the vibes I needed, and it was made in Italy near a town my family used to visit”
“What do you think of this hat? I’m just trying it out” vs “Oh you like this hat? I saw it and it was so fun. We’re out at brunch with everyone and I knew I had to rock it.”
“This shirt is so wild, but hey, it was on sale” vs “It’s your bachelor party, we’re looking good! Let’s go!!”
You purchased the item; we know you like it. You do not need to safeguard yourself by justifying it. The story you tell will be much stronger and you can focus the attention on what your values are in connection to the purchase. The photos above exude confidence. When telling your story through clothing, think back to stories that moved you or moments when you found an understanding that empowered you.
