Suzanne Carillo

Conforming To Our Tribe Via Our Clothing Choices

It has always been my mission to dress for myself and not to conform with the rest of society.  I’ve done this since I was very young.

I thought this comment from a reader on Patti’s blog was very poignant,

We dress to conform ourselves with different tribes. Even the non-conformists are allying themselves with other non-conformists. Our clothes transmit messages about us–our tastes, our priorities (even when clothes are not a priority–that’s also a message). The question might be whether we are being true to ourselves when we are choosing our messages to the world, and whether our choices make us happy. – A Taste Of France

I realized that even though I’m dressing for myself, in doing so I am allying myself with others that also choose to dress for themselves.

Choosing Vintage

Choosing to wear vintage almost guarantees you will be seen as an outlier, someone who doesn’t quite fit with society’s expectations of how a woman of a certain age should dress.

What messages are my clothes sending?

I’m hopeful that they communicate my Style Statement that I’m artistic, unique, relevant, fun and strong.

Are we being true to ourselves in the choices we are making?

Without a doubt buying secondhand aligns with my social conscience and makes me happy.

Tribal Friendships 

I can see that my choice to dress differently has encouraged friendships to blossom with other non-conformists.  I didn’t realize this until I stopped to think about it.  There are literally millions of blogs out there and yet I chose to follow style bloggers that are also stepping outside of the expected styles for women over a certain age, a sign we are part of the same tribe.  I sought out these other women because I knew they wouldn’t be dressing like everyone else. I knew they would stimulate my imagination and inspire me.  As humans it is natural to choose to be around other people we believe understand us. This is certainly the case with the other bloggers I follow.  I have been lucky enough to become good friends with several of these other bloggers.

Our style choices can encourage others to engage with us or ignore us.

Dressing to become invisible is easy, shop any fast fashion retailer and simply dress like everyone else.

Do your style choices make you happy?

Do they communicate what you want to say to the world and how you want to be perceived? 

Are you comfortable with your tribe?

Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday and Fancy Friday