A Guest Post By Paisley Piasecki ’13
“Rejoice and love yourself today, ‘cause baby, you were born this way.” – Lady Gaga, Born This Way
Finding your own, inner style can be one of the hardest things to accomplish these days. With so many trends changing every season, and magazines like Teen Vogue and Seventeen telling you what’s in and out. Sometimes, it seems like the media and society try to tell you that if you aren’t wearing a certain style, you’re not “cool.” Not true! Look at style icons like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga: They follow some of the trends, but they have a complete look of their own, and sometimes, they set the trends!
Style, in my opinion, is what we are most comfortable in and what makes us feel proud of who we are. One day, you may see me in black combat boots with skinny jeans and a ripped shirt. Another day, you may see me in a pink dress and a pair of converse. Although I like to try different looks all the time, I know that I will always come back to a clean, casual outfit with light makeup and some sparkle. Also, the color pink, has never failed me.
Everyone has a certain look that embodies who they are. One of the toughest experiences of growing up is sometimes accepting who you are. This has everything to do with finding your personal style. Whatever makes us truly happy is what we will feel best wearing, and we should take ownership of that, no matter what anyone tells us! In a world where opinions mean everything to many, many people, it is very easy to be manipulated into thinking we aren’t good enough, or we aren’t accepted. In Junior High, I found my style, but it took me a while to understand that it was okay for me to be different. A pivotal moment in my life was when I cut my hair into a short bob in the seventh grade (like it is now). I had the shortest hair out of all the girls in my class, and the popular look for teens in Newport Beach was, and still is, to have hair down to your waist. That day was huge because, in reflection, I realize that it was the day that I dared to be different! That’s what style is all about: You have to take risks to find out what you like, and once you know what it is, you shouldn’t feel obligated to change! The best way to really “work” an outfit is to be confident in it.
The next time you are tempted to change an outfit for the sake of fitting in or preventing stares, stop. Listen to your own mind. What is it that will make you feel the best that day? What is it that will make you happy? Once you find that, own it. Embrace it. Work it, girl!
Paisley Piasecki is a high school junior, a varsity golfer and my fabulous daughter. You can follow her on Twitter @PaisePaise when finals are over….
