Style: Why?

[Toxic-Avenger]

I have a question for the ladies that I'd like your thoughts on.  There are a few threads on what to wear and what you are wearing.  My question is, why?

Why do you wear the clothes you do?  Let's say there are no social mores, no societal pressures, or peer pressure. What would you REALLY wear?  Maybe you ignore the pressures already.  Take the string bikini: It's no secret that these are very sexy.  But do you wear them because they make YOU feel sexy, because that's what you want, or is it because that's what society expects you to wear?

Do you wear the bikini for you, or someone else?  Would you rather wear a XXXX-large t-shirt and a big floppy hat and be done with it?

I like a girl in a pretty dress with a wide or low scoop-neck. Or a spaghetti strap sundress.  Do you like these too, or are they uncomfortable; the neck feels strange?  Are tank tops with itty bitty straps comfortable,too?  Or do you wear them because that's all there is?  The big t-shirt is not an option.

The same goes for me. I look great in a suit and tie, but there's something about that peice of cloth cinched tightly around my neck.  I have this thing about breathing and I need to do it once in a while.  Polo shirts and jeans for me.

What about strapless prom and evening dresses, do you wear these to feel pretty, or do you wear them becasue that's what you are expected to wear?  I get a feeling most of you don't give a flyin' rat's pajamas about designer stuff and would rather go to the thrift shops.

What about those of you who follow a system of faith?  Does your religion affect your clothing choices?

How about those of you who are shy, does being shy have anything at all to do with your clothing choices?

What I'm asking in all of this is, do you wear the clothing you do to appeal to others, or to please yourself?  Are these clothes comfortable or not?  Do you like them for you, or do you wear them to give others an image you'd like them to think of about you?  Or do you wear these clothes for you and that's the way is is?

[dream10]

My first post

Because clothes are important. I'm not a shallow person but I do like to look nice.

I wear the clothes I do because I like to feel pretty. If someone else doesn't like the way I'm dressed they can just turn thier head and not look at me. I'm proud of my body and I like to show it off. I never wear anything over the top or to revealing.
I like spaghetti strap dresses. I wear dresses all the time.
I love designer clothes but you can get some cool stuff at thrift stores.
I dress only to please me. I really don't care what other people think of me. Most of my clothes are comfortable but if I find a pair of killer 4 inch heels that are a bit uncomtfortable I'll buy them. Sometimes you gotta suffer for fashion.

[KattyKatie]

The way you dress gives insight to who you are as a person. I usually dress in a funky but casual way and this shows that I have an outgoing but laid-back personality. My favorite clothes are jeans, but I still pair them with funky accessories and stylish shoes.

[good.disaster]

i don't really care. i won't wear something just because people expect me to, and i won't wear something because people expect me not to. i wear whatever i want. i'd rather be comfortable, and for me that's jeans/pants and some kind of shirt. i've never liked dresses, nor do i really like those tank tops with the itty bitty straps or tubetops or what have you. it's just not my thing. i have friends who wear stuff every day that, for me, would be dressing up.

i don't wear things to make myself feel "pretty" or anything either. i don't know... i just don't get that kind of thing from clothing. yeah, there's things i won't wear, but that's just because i personally don't like them. there's no other reason. i don't know if it's "in" or "out", and i don't care. they're just clothes. that said, it does, however, bother me to see people rip off certain ways of dress that are part of certain (sub)cultures just because for the time being it's "cool".

i suppose clothing is a reflection of your personality for quite a few people, but it's of course never always true. i don't dress to give off particular impressions to other people; i simply wear what i want. i don't exactly stick to one sort of style or anything, and i don't strive to look like anything. i was always talked about/to like i was a mix of the token goth/punk/emo/skater/etc girl just because i didn't (and still don't) wear khakis or capri pants or little pastel sweaters or halter tops or dusters like all the other girls. i don't consider myself any of those. i never have. people can make assumptions all they want. they're almost always wrong, and those assumptions are going to be different compared to what the next person may think. my clothes don't make me... i do.

[LisaRocksYourWorld, yo]

I don't dress to impress anyone.  My clothes fit well, I don't  show a lot of cleavage, but I guess my clothing would be considered "in-style".  I wear what I'm comfortable in.  When  I'm happy with what I'm wearing, and I think I look good (which can actually be accomplished by showing a moderate amount of skin), I feel better about myself.  

I don't wear bikini's, I wear modest two-piece bathing suits most of the time.  

When I wear tank tops, they can be comfortable, but a lot of times, they feel kind of revealing and bare.  I usually only save them for hot days, or layered under another shirt.  

Most girls are more comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans than anything tight or fancy.  Those sundresses you talk about are awful, to me at least.  It's a combination of the spaghetti strap tank top and a miniskirt; twice as uncomfortable! On the subject of formal dresses, though, it can be fun to dress up and feel elegant for a night, so it's not always a painful experience.

Designer clothes can be a rip-off.  Sometimes they are better quality, but most of the time an equally good product can be found in a cheaper store.

Bottom line: I dress for myself, not for anyone else.  I like to be comfortable, but it's nice to dress a little flashy or fancy once in a while.

[Toxic-Avenger]

<<Most girls are more comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans than anything tight or fancy.  Those sundresses you talk about are awful,>>

Even the longer dresses, like below the knee or to the mid-shin?  

Okay, good, I was waiting for an answer like this.  Is this how some, all, or most of you feel or think?  I mean truth, the reality?  What I find strangely ironic is that some of the most revealing clothing(?) out there is by female designers. Remember this is a guy you're talking to.    

[wunderbar5]

I like wearing jeans & stuff, but there is something about being a girl and being able to wear pretty dresses. I love dressing up and feeling pretty, but I can feel just as pretty wearing jeans. It's all about confidence and comfortableness! I don't like reallllly baggy stuff because then I feel covered up, and I don't like feeling covered up. (Like not being unmodest, but just like your trying to hide something.)

[LisaRocksYourWorld, yo]

Even the knee-length dresses can be uncomfortable... You have to shave your legs, sit like a lady... Too much trouble!

A lot of the female designers do make revealing clothing, but the very large majority of teenage girls don't wear designer clothes.  The closest they get is DKNY, Guess?, Tommy Hilfiger, Etc. and even Donna Karan makes t-shirts and jeans these days.

[x n0ise]

I'm a jeans and t-shirt/sweatshirt gal.  I live in jeans and sweatshirts, basically.  It's just whatever makes me comfortable.  

[dream10]

What's wrong with shaving your legs and sitting like a lady?
And long dresses are only uncomfortable if they are tight. You can find some that are long, loose,and flowing. Those ARE comfortable.
Do you guys wear jeans and tee shirts EVERY day? I would think that would be a bit boring after a while.

[theLadyMadonna]

If there was no pressure on me from society to look or dress a certain way, I'd still dress the way I do. Sometimes I just like to feel pretty. Once in a while I just want to feel like I am worth a second glance to someone, you know? Granted, some days all I want to do is put on a baggy sweatshirt and some old jeans, which I do. Most of the time though, I look pretty average. I put care into the way I look but I don't go overboard. It's not that I feel I have to meet up to anyone's standards, it's just that I like to feel good about myself. Baggy clothes and all that make me feel slouchy and sluggish. I'm not prim and proper but I like to walk out of my house feeling confident.

[LisaRocksYourWorld, yo]

<<Do you guys wear jeans and tee shirts EVERY day?>>

Actually, I do.  And so do 99% of the girls I know.  

[Belle Diamante]

Personally, I dress to impress myself only. I don't really care about comfort or price like I said before, if it looks gorgeous, I'll wear it. I always splurge my money on evening wear and practically I my shoes would be dressy stilettos, marabou mules, pointed slingbacks or ankle-strap heels (that's the basic outline of my shoes)
I love wearing short skirts and a lace tops, for example, on a daily basis. But for evening, I can really go overboard. All my things are elaborate, and I hate it when things looks sloppy, dowdy, etc. I would *never* wear something like that. If you want to look beautiful, I'd say, the more time, the better. For like a simple dance, I might wear a glittering red halter gown, burgundy rhinestone-studded stiletto anklestraps and gorgeous jewelry. My makeup would be dark and dramatic but glamourous and ditto with my hair. But on a daily basis, I would still be made up but more feminine--more pinks and shimmers. But this is just the way I dress.  

[dream10]

Labeautiful
that is exactly like me

[busybodies]

I wear what I wear just because. I don't dress immodestly. I love my spaghetti tops, but only in the house! I wouldn't want to be caught in one outside. I'm proud of my body, but I see no reason to make it public property. But that's the way I was brought up. I wouldn't wear a bikini, string or not. I don't wear it for me, or for anyone else. If somebody wanted me to wear a bikini, I wouldn't consider him worthy of getting anything from me. At the same time I wouldn't wear an XXX Tee and a floppy sun hat that hides me completely! I do fine with a one-piece swimsuit.
The strapless prom and evening dresses... there I don't mind wearing strappy/ off shoulder dresses. Simply because the occassion's different, the time is different and the people are different. I couldn't justify myself walking through a supermarket wearing a string vest but I'm fine wearing strapless evening dresses to a party. I love slinky. Once in a way I like to feel like a girl and wear strappy stilletoes, and make myself pretty. It's coz I like it. Not because I'm expected to do it. I've been known to turn up in pants when everyone else around me was in all their finery. Just cos I didn't feel like doing it their way. But that doesn't mean I'm a sloppy cat. Nope. I make sure my clothes are ironed (most important ) and that I'm presentable wherever I am. And that I smell good. Always on top of my list ;D Face masks, shower gels... the works. I love pampering myself (when I have the time). Just coz it makes me feel good about myself.
Religion doesn't affect my clothes, but culture does. And again, the way I was brought up. Also the country I live in. You just don't feel good wearing exposing clothes here, but in USA nobody would give it a second thought. In a less conservative society the only thing I would change about the way I dress is to make my pants a bit tighter. But not when I'm here. It's their faith, I'm in their country, so I should respect them.
I guess my clothes are to please me (mainly), but it's got a bit of the 'socially acceptable' thread in it. Unfortunately. I dress waaaaay differently to my friends. But I have no probs with that. Neither do they. They like the way I dress. I like the way I dress because that's who I AM.
Designer clothes? No probs there. If I have the money they're great. They do look and fit better than off-the-hangers, so why not? What I don't like is 'designer children' (as I like to call them) looking down on those who don't wear labels.
Shaving my legs and sitting like a lady? No probs there. Even if I'm wearing a sack I'd have my legs shaved and sit like a lady
Most of the time my clothes reflect my mood. If I'm happy and feel good about myself I wear a dress, do my hair up and walk straight! If I'm in a bad/preoccupied/I-have-better-things-to-do-than-waste-my-time-dressing-up moods then I'll be in a tee and baggy pants, with my hands in my pockets and a serious slouch
And talking about labels... I hate classifications- punk, raver, goth, whatever. Who the frizzux cares? Not me anyways. I don't wanna look back on my life when I'm old and think about how I was a ***** (fill whatever you want there). I wanna try everything. I have my streak-the-hair-blue days and I have days where I dress like sugarplum fairy (well, not *that* sugary ). Try everything, just don't be a label!
And that's me.