Yesterday, I wore a T-shirt tucked in semi-high waisted trousers, with a scarf on my head tied in an African-style and my soft-padded loafer. With white talc — actually orange — and lip balm, I felt good with the combination!

This feeling of elation got me thinking: what is it about this dressing? Well, I didn’t need to think too much: this is actually an authentic instance of my style. I felt comfortable, confident and original. So I got thinking again; not about why I felt good, but why we tried so hard not to feel good.

I observe my contemporaries. I see so many trying to fit into a mould unfit for them. We chase trends; fashion trends dictated by ‘popular’ people. We copy these styles not necessarily because we like them or that they look good on us. Rather, because such styles have been displayed by people we term popular, and so we too want to be popular — at least in our little circles.

But in doing so we miss something:

It’s your style — that one that’s original, comfortable and confidence-inducing — that actually makes you stand out. Your style differentiates you — whether in the positive or negative light.

One of my best fashion quotes heard from my cousin goes thus:

Fashion is about comfort.

She — or whoever said it — couldn’t be more right. So today, still in my scarf mood, not minding the thought of ‘I wore a scarf yesterday, won’t they say I am wearing a scarf too much?’, I focused on my style.

Here’s my style combo: Decent, Comfy and Smart with a touch of Nativity. What’s your style?

[Originally published Jun 18, 2018 on chinenyenwaneri.wordpress.com]