Each day people go out into the world undergoing con- stant scrutiny for the way they present themselves. It is almost impossible to go an entire day without either engaging in or hearing a dialog solely based on someone else’s appearance.
In early 2012 the world was graced with “The Ratchet Girl Anthem,” written and per- formed by YouTube sensations and brothers Emanuel and Phil- lip Hudson. The opening lines to the popular track are as follows: “OMG, what do she have on? Her lace front is all wrong.” While it is meant to be a parody of how women interact with each other, it speaks volumes on how people view each other. Sometimes people’s lack of knowledge as to why people choose to look a certain way are channeled into insensitive comments.
People should not have to dress in a manner that pleases society. If you feel comfortable in sweatpants every day, then by all means wear your sweatpants and wear them proudly. When you awake from your peaceful slum- ber each day, there shouldn’t be a recurring thought of, “What am I going to wear today so that I can look amazing?” What that rough- ly translates to is, “What can I wear today so that people won’t talk negatively about me?” When in fact, it should be more like, “What can I wear today so that I am comfortable while expressing my own individual style?”
People aren’t given a break even when they try to look their best either. Once the sweat- pants and pajamas are put away, they are then criticized for over- dressing. We criticize people for wearing dresses or slacks to class. I myself am guilty of giving the occasional, “Why are you so dressed up?” The way a person chooses to dress himself should be an irrelevant concern to others. Some people dress for comfort and some people dress to look and feel good. Even when you are feeling miserable it feels
nice to get dolled up to get your problems and worries off your mind.
This summer I spent eight weeks in the Catskill Mountains as a camp counselor for children from the inner cities of Connecticut and New York. After spending every day in basketball shorts and sweat pants I actually wanted to feel pretty again.
I took the opportunity to change whenever it came about. Whether we were going out to dinner or going out to Wal-Mart, the counselors and I would get dolled up. We weren’t dressing for the approval of others, but for ourselves. We got dressed up to make ourselves feel confident, because even though sweatpants are comfortable, it feels ten times better to know that you are showered and looking good.
That’s how it should be for everyone. Dress the way you want, and if that means leggings or jeans every day, then do it. You shouldn’t feel obligated by some social stigma to compete for best dressed every morning. Dress for yourself and not for society.