I’m not someone who likes to step out of my comfort zone when it comes to clothes. When I was little, I had strict rules for myself when it came to what I could and couldn’t wear. At age 8, I wouldn’t wear jeans or shirts and dresses with buttons in the front. Now, at 20, I avoid button-up shirts and dresses, shorts, patterned pants and most jewelry, because I usually don’t feel comfortable in them or like the way they look on me.
The way we dress is an important part of our identity. We choose the clothes we wear because we feel that they reflect who we are or who we want to be, but, often, people who are close to us have an entirely different image of who we are and how we should dress. To find out how Johanna Haddix, one of my closest friends, sees me, I had her pick out my clothes for a week. She used items from her wardrobe and my sisters’ wardrobes to complete the looks.
Day 1: Hipster vibing
Calendar: School and work
Outfit: Pride & Prejudice gray V-neck graphic tee, olive green jacket, dark wash boot cut jeans, and brown flats
Haddix: “I wanted Grace to have something that she could be comfortable in. I’ve never seen her wear the shirt, but I thought it was a fun, patterned piece.”
Ducanis: “This outfit wasn’t too far out of my comfort zone. Normally, I would pair the jacket with a solid-colored top, but the graphic tee made the whole outfit feel very artistic and hipster to me, especially since I wore my glasses that day.”
Day 2: Choked by a necklace
Calendar: School and work
Outfit: Light gray top, light wash flare jeans, nude flats, and coral necklace
Haddix: “This outfit is more my style, but I thought it still suited Grace. The shirt is simple, but there’s also a fun pop of color. The nude flats are my favorite, and they go with everything.”
Ducanis: “I really wasn’t thrilled about this ensemble. Jewelry isn’t really my thing, and necklaces are even less my thing, since I feel like they’re choking me. I didn’t feel like myself at all, but everyone I met really liked it, so I ended up liking the outfit more than I had anticipated.”
Day 3: Flip-flopping at work
Calendar: School and work
Outfit: Green, blue and white striped long-sleeved shirt, dark wash boot cut jeans, and flip-flops
Haddix: “I think it’s a fun, colorful outfit that’s pretty as well. It suits both Grace’s work environment since it’s bright and professional, but it’s a flexible outfit that could fit many environments.”
Ducanis: “When Johanna showed me her choice, I thought it was pretty normal, but I hated the flip-flops. I was at work most of the day, and I slipped off the shoes whenever I had the chance. I would’ve worn a different kind of shoe, but other than that, the outfit was standard for me.”
Day 4: Introducing the elephant pants
Calendar: School and work
Outfit: Long-sleeved black V-neck shirt, loose-fitting pants with an elephant design, and flip-flops
Haddix: “I wanted to have fun with it, so Grace is wearing my elephant pants. I want her to come to an appreciation of comfortable pants worn outside the home. Also, elephant pants make you look ridiculous, but I love it.”
Ducanis: “I haven’t worn patterned pants since I was in the single digits. It wasn’t the most comfortable outfit, since I was self-conscious about the waistband of the pants and kept adjusting them, but I was thankful for the lighter material since it was extremely hot outside that day.”
Day 5: Justice Grace
Calendar: Attending my sibling’s speech competition
Outfit: Black and white patterned button-up blouse, dark wash boot cut jeans, nude open-toed pumps, and blue floral earrings
Haddix: “I wanted Grace to look like one of the judges. I felt like people might come up to her and ask her what she thought of their presentation. I wanted her to look structured.”
Ducanis: “Button-up shirts aren’t really my style, but I liked this one. I had no idea what to do with the sleeves, though. I was happy with the look, but I would have switched out the pumps for some flats because I thought the length of the pants made the shoes look funny.”
Day 6: Shark pride and cardigans
Calendar: Church and friends
Morning outfit: Blue and white maxi dress, white cardigan, and nude flats
Haddix: “I’ve never seen Grace wear this dress in person, that I can remember, and I think it’s really pretty. Also, it’s her school colors, so, go, Sharks!”
Ducanis: “I wore this dress on a very rainy day, so the colors didn’t feel like they fit the outdoors, but other than that, I was very comfortable with this outfit. I don’t normally wear cardigans, but I didn’t mind wearing one.”
Day 7: Confident and comfortable in my favorite outfit
Calendar: Work, school and literary magazine launch party
Morning outfit: Green tank top, black circle skirt, black braided belt, brown boots, and maple leaf silver stud earrings
Haddix: “This is one of my favorite outfits that Grace wears. It’s interesting and fun and edgy and organic and versatile. I don’t see outfits like that too much, especially at FAU, where I go to school.”
Ducanis: “This is one of my favorite outfits in general, so I was happy that Johanna put it together for me. I felt totally comfortable and confident in it. I had forgotten I owned maple leaf earrings, but I like them, and I’m going to try to remember to wear them more often.”
Photo Credit: G. Ducanis
