Maxing Out Creativity: Why We Gravitate Towards Bold Fashion Pieces
Some of us grew up watching and reading about extravagantly-dressed princesses like Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, and Jasmine. These characters made us feel like we were a part of their magical lifestyle. We had glittery costumes, wore our mother’s red lipstick, and dreamed of our very own Prince Charming.
Looking back at these memories triggers feelings of nostalgia and purity, something that is lost once the real world kicks in. Of course, it takes trial and error to truly recognize what we feel comfortable wearing and what we feel unstoppable in. Once we do, this confidence in our style is addicting. Engaging in maximalism allows us to feel like the princesses we used to dream of.
Bold “statement” pieces vary from person to person. What I feel comfortable leaving the house in may be different than what my friends feel comfortable wearing. Extroverted people may find themselves reaching towards neon or glittery items, while introverted people may reach for a neutral-colored fur coat or staple red lipstick.
The beauty of fashion is that bold can be perceived however you want it to be. Like everything else, style is all about mindset. Lady Gaga’s “bold” is not the same as Billie Eilish’s, but both are eye-catching in their own ways. Because Lady Gaga dissolves all fashion “boundaries,” it would be boldly unexpected of her to arrive in a plain black gown at an awards show.
Additionally, each designer has a specific reputation they uphold. In this sense, “bold” can also include varying sizes of pieces, runway show locations, or hair and makeup looks on their models. In 2019, Jacquemus launched a line on a hot pink runway in a French lavender field to celebrate his 10th anniversary, leaving designers and fashion followers around the world astounded at his revolutionary approach. “The lavender runway” was an iconic breakthrough in the fashion world, even titled “The Runway To End All Runways” by Bazaar. While we are not all high-profile designers with the budgets and followers for such stunts, we can recreate unconventionality within our own lives in whichever way our creativity takes us. Choosing styles out of our comfort zone and redefining norms may be the first step.
By human nature we are born to stand out and born to maintain our authenticity. With differing opinions in boldness, the world is full of clothing to adapt into our wardrobes and personalize. During 2020, many people’s hobbies were taken from them, and fashion served as a source of identity reassurance. Fashion has always been a tool for self-expression, but dressing up is especially necessary in the midst of a pandemic— when many of our daily routines have been shifted.
Clothing is the one of the biggest contributors to your mood for the day. Daring apparel fills us with courage. The feeling of all eyes being on you charges an inherent desire to be unique, improving our walk and overall movements. When we feel good, the people around us feel good. Whether choosing to experiment with color or texture, loud colors will often subconsciously spark feelings. Red is associated with passion and love, while neon green signifies “focusing on yourself” (GoToDesigno, 2020). Fulfilling and perfecting one’s personal brand requires dedication; the feeling of this self-care makes the wearer feel put together and happy. Next time you feel hesitant toying with a new makeup look or fashion piece— think of all the people you can inspire with your bold moves.
References
Midwood, M. (2019, June 25). Jacquemus' Pink Catwalk In A Lavender Field Is The Runway To End All Runways. Retrieved October 14, 2020, from https://www.harpersbazaararabia.com/fashion/runway/jacquemus-pink-catwalk-10th-anniversary-show-ss20
GoToDesigno. Neon Green. Retrieved October 15, 2020, from https://gotodesigno.com/color-meanings-neon-green/
Nozari, E. (2015, March 29). What Does "Statement" Actually Mean In Fashion? Retrieved October 15, 2020, from https://www.bustle.com/articles/72495-what-does-statement-mean-in-fashion-and-is-it-even-important