LJ Idol Week 11, Haute, I'm Not a Fashionista
Fashion is one of those things I just don't get. we judge people based on what they wear and based on what they are able to afford. Those that don't have designer clothes and shoes are considered less important than those that do. If someone is homeless and dressed in clothes that are torn, worn and old, he or she would never be hired for a job and might not even be taken seriously by anyone. Sometimes, it’s all about what you wear, yet I can’t seem to play the game.
I try to dress appropriately for whatever occasion I am going to experience but I sometimes fall short. My flat feet keep me from wearing nice shoes which might be considered dressy enough for a given outfit. I try so hard to find shoes that will look professional for work but I always fall short and my rudest coworker always feels the need to comment on my lack of fancy footwear.
My autism spectrum disorder keeps me from wearing certain clothes too. I can't wear anything that is scratchy, has cuffs that are tight around my wrists, a funny neckline, requires nylons, or is generally not completely comfortable. If I try to force myself into such an outfit I think about removing it the entire time I am wearing it. This has been a problem since childhood. In fact, until recently, I wouldn't wear three-quarter length shirts or cropped pants. It didn't matter how cute the outfit was, I couldn't wear it because of how strange it felt on my body. I had to slowly allow myself to adjust to this type of clothing. When I shop I sometimes feel my way through the racks looking for soft clothes. I won't even consider the things that don't seem to be made out of the right fabric.
At times though, I feel like I have to make an extra effort because of my blindness. I feel like if I don't look respectable then anyone who sees me will assume that I am a slob because I am blind. If I don't match I feel like it will be assumed that I am incapable because of my blindness, so I always match to the best of my ability. I can't count the number of times people have asked who helps me dress, who picks out my clothes, or who tells me what to wear. I always take some small amount of pride when I can answer that I do it all myself.
So while I don't care about brand names or the latest trends, and while I can't wear certain things, I guess I haven't let fashion consciousness go completely. I probably never will. I just can't seem to let myself look like a slob. My adherence to routine allows me to always carry the same bag and would probably also make it okay to wear the same clothes, but I know that sighted people notice these things, so I vary my outfits, even if I stick to the same shoes, purse, and back pack. Speaking of back packs, that's another thing, I can't seem to give up my back pack and switch to a purse. I love my current back pack. Funnily enough it's a Ralph Lauren that baxaphobia gave me. I guess sometimes name brands do pay off in functionality and quality, but I wouldn't have known what the letters RL on the buckle stood for until she told me. She makes for a good fashion assistant.
All in all, I guess you could call my style comfortable and practical, but not fashionable. I never wear anything trendy because I wear the same things until they wear out. It's part of my routine. Since I'm so routine I doubt I will change and learn to shop for fancy things, check labels for brand names, and learn all those fashionista terms. I think I do okay though, after all, I do come across some well known brands while shopping at discount stores. My wardrobe can’t be that bad, can it? If it is, please just be polite and look the other way while you focus on my other talents.
I try to dress appropriately for whatever occasion I am going to experience but I sometimes fall short. My flat feet keep me from wearing nice shoes which might be considered dressy enough for a given outfit. I try so hard to find shoes that will look professional for work but I always fall short and my rudest coworker always feels the need to comment on my lack of fancy footwear.
My autism spectrum disorder keeps me from wearing certain clothes too. I can't wear anything that is scratchy, has cuffs that are tight around my wrists, a funny neckline, requires nylons, or is generally not completely comfortable. If I try to force myself into such an outfit I think about removing it the entire time I am wearing it. This has been a problem since childhood. In fact, until recently, I wouldn't wear three-quarter length shirts or cropped pants. It didn't matter how cute the outfit was, I couldn't wear it because of how strange it felt on my body. I had to slowly allow myself to adjust to this type of clothing. When I shop I sometimes feel my way through the racks looking for soft clothes. I won't even consider the things that don't seem to be made out of the right fabric.
At times though, I feel like I have to make an extra effort because of my blindness. I feel like if I don't look respectable then anyone who sees me will assume that I am a slob because I am blind. If I don't match I feel like it will be assumed that I am incapable because of my blindness, so I always match to the best of my ability. I can't count the number of times people have asked who helps me dress, who picks out my clothes, or who tells me what to wear. I always take some small amount of pride when I can answer that I do it all myself.
So while I don't care about brand names or the latest trends, and while I can't wear certain things, I guess I haven't let fashion consciousness go completely. I probably never will. I just can't seem to let myself look like a slob. My adherence to routine allows me to always carry the same bag and would probably also make it okay to wear the same clothes, but I know that sighted people notice these things, so I vary my outfits, even if I stick to the same shoes, purse, and back pack. Speaking of back packs, that's another thing, I can't seem to give up my back pack and switch to a purse. I love my current back pack. Funnily enough it's a Ralph Lauren that baxaphobia gave me. I guess sometimes name brands do pay off in functionality and quality, but I wouldn't have known what the letters RL on the buckle stood for until she told me. She makes for a good fashion assistant.
All in all, I guess you could call my style comfortable and practical, but not fashionable. I never wear anything trendy because I wear the same things until they wear out. It's part of my routine. Since I'm so routine I doubt I will change and learn to shop for fancy things, check labels for brand names, and learn all those fashionista terms. I think I do okay though, after all, I do come across some well known brands while shopping at discount stores. My wardrobe can’t be that bad, can it? If it is, please just be polite and look the other way while you focus on my other talents.