What you wear says a lot about you: It’s no secret that fashion is a way of self-expression. So when it comes to your wardrobe, it’s safe to say that you probably want to wear something that serves as an extension of yourself: clothing that makes you feel confident, stylish, and individualistic.

If you’re on any form of social media, whether that be Instagram, Tik Tok, or Pinterest, you’re probably no stranger to the world of aesthetics. For example, you’ve probably seen posts like this:

“Choosing an aesthetic” can affect teens and young adults more than one may believe. Especially in terms of personality and fashion.

It may not sound like a big deal, but it is. Here’s why:

The pressure of choosing an aesthetic

In today’s society, especially in social media, aesthetics serve as a mask for one’s personality. Aesthetics even have names and categories. For Example: Academia. Light Academia, Dark Academia, etc. are all variations of one certain aesthetic, which I’m sure you’ve heard of. Having a set aesthetic is never a bad thing, but for those who find pressure in not having one, it can be quite difficult to ‘fit in’ to society.

Who says you have to have one certain aesthetic?

Fashion, being the one of the most expressive subjects, is a huge advocate for having more than one aesthetic. Sure, having a personal style can distinguish you from others, but having a personal style that doesn’t limit you from wearing things outside of said-aesthetic can make you feel even more confident. Thus proving that you should not limit yourself to certain clothing because it doesn’t fit your style/aesthetic.

To put this into perspective: You’ve probably heard of someone saying they only wear black. Or, maybe even that they only wear certain colors. But who’s to say that you can’t wear both?

A perfect example of a designer who incorporates different aesthetics to the runway is Jeremy Scott, the creative director of Moschino. Scott loves to implore different aesthetics to the runway, and this is just a small example of how the fashion industry prioritizes different aesthetics.

The beauty of fashion is the ideology that clothing serves as a mask for how an individual is feeling, or how an individual wants to portray themselves. We are human, and we have so many layers as to what makes us so uniquely individual. So why should you prevent yourself from wearing certain pieces because it’s ‘not your style’?

Wear what you want, express yourself, and always stay open minded when you adorn yourself in clothing. You are art, and never be afraid to paint yourself in colors that you haven’t before.

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