Stuff 128: Be Yourself

Do You Have a Role Model?

By J. J. Atwell

Today I’m pondering how having a role model affects the way we dress. Actually, it’s something I’ve wondered about for quite some time.

When I get dressed, I’m influenced by many different women. Some I know personally, some I follow online, and some I’ve simply noticed while out in public. A few are famous, but most are ordinary women.

I suspect we develop our sense of style in much the same way GGs do. How do you, dear reader, find a role model and how far do you go in trying to (f)emulate her? Are you a faithful follower or do you put your own twist on the look?

These days, my role models tend to be women my own age—or perhaps as much as 20 years younger. I don’t currently have a famous role model. Instead, whenever I see an elegant woman in elegant surroundings, I take a mental snapshot. Eventually, I accumulate enough of those images for them to coalesce into a picture of how I would like to look when dressed.

Then the hard work begins.

Reality

Once I have that mental image of how I would like to look, reality steps in. I realize I’m not that tall. I don’t have that long, slim neck. I don’t have that lustrous hair. My figure is also missing a few important curves. So I have to learn how to compensate.

Unfortunately, I often fail miserably at that. Fortunately, I have discovered the key to being happy: I adopt the elements of an outfit that appeal to me and that also work with my physical reality. By doing so, I have developed my own style. I hope you have, too.

The Importance of Being You

In the words of that famous philosopher Snoopy, “Be yourself. Nobody can say you’re doing it wrong.”

I love that quote. It gives you so much freedom—not only in how you dress, but also in how you behave and interact with others.

We all have learned behaviors. Some we adopted readily. Others were thrust upon us. Fortunately, any learned behavior can be modified.

Take the time to examine yourself. Identify what makes you you, and be unapologetic about it.

Unless, of course, it happens to be illegal. LOL.

I’ll Be Back

Writing this installment has already inspired an outline for a future Stuff about body image.

I welcome your comments and suggestions here on Stana’s page or by email at Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com.

Wearing Boston Proper

Femulating on Russian television’s Kings of the Game.
Click here to view this femulation on YouTube.