"be neither a conformist or a rebel"

I was going to wear a scarf tied in a bow with this.  But I wasn't really "feeling it".  Instead I was feeling this long gold pendant necklace I bought for a dollar (!) the other day. I just thought to myself: "Hmm...not feeling the bow...just not what I want lately. How about the long gold pendant necklace?"  So I put it on feeling like it was a decision I had  made.

A short time later whilst reading the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar I discovered one way to make your look really "now" was to wear a long gold pendant necklace.  Huh.  It appears I have been brainwashed.  But I knew that already, didn't I?

So often my sartorial choices (and even my choice of that word) are heavily influenced by magazines, blogs, advertisements, television, movies.  You name it.  I know it.  But I don't know it.  Because so often I find myself following without even knowing I'm following.  But I guess I'm okay with that.

Because the thing is, it isn't just fashion.  It's books, shows, music, hobbies, even ways of thinking.  We humans like to be connected, together, involved, "in".  Well, I guess some people don't like to go with the flow. You've met them.  You might be one of them.  Someone who doesn't "follow trends", doesn't do what other people do.  In fact, in some ways I'm one of them myself.  Only I'm not.  Not really.*

The other day I was at a park in the "nice" part of town.  And suddenly I noticed: I didn't match.  But they did.  Yes.  All the other mothers were wearing: sporty flats, yoga pants, lulu lemon hoodies, straightened highlighted hair, children in crocs.  Okay, they weren't technically wearing their children...but their children were wearing crocs.  It was kind of creepy actually...you know, sort of stepfordwivesesque.

But who am I to judge?  Just because I didn't match them doesn't mean I don't match anyone (actually my husband and I match quite frequently...it's cute, really).  Because you know what?  If it hadn't been the park, but instead had been a blogger meet up, I would have fit right in.  That's the great thing about the internet, no matter how eccentric or esoteric, or any other e word, our tastes or opinions are, there's bound to other people who share them.  We needn't be alone amidst the Stepford wives.  We can have our own creepy little group.

Really what I'm saying here is: it's nice to be in such good company.

outfit details:

shoes, naturalizer: $30

shorts, vintage thrifted: $1

necklace, thrifted: $1

shirt, joe fresh style: $12

belt: gift

cardigan: gift

socks: who keeps track of where they bought their socks? 

Heart: Kimberelllie

*Truth be told: I just do what I want and what I think best.  And if it happens to be what other people are doing, that's okay.  And if it happens to be what no one is doing, that's okay too.  

You have enemies?  Good.  That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.  ~Winston Churchill

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.  ~Mark Twain

Be neither a conformist or a rebel, for they are really the same thing.  Find your own path, and stay on it.  ~Paul Vixie

Trying to be original, isn't very orignal. ~moi

You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note. ~Doug Floyd