I'LL WEAR IT.

There was a time when I thought much more about what other people might think of what I was wearing.

Is it too much?
Does it look strange?
Will someone make a comment?
Will I stand out?

And if I’m being truthful, it took me a long time to stop asking those questions.

I’ve always loved things that catch my eye. Big earrings. Color. Leopard print. Short hair. Ridiculously oversized sunglasses. Jewelry piled on top of jewelry.

But loving something and feeling completely comfortable wearing it are two different things.

I had to grow into that.

There were years when being different didn’t always feel like something to celebrate. When standing out made me more aware of myself, not less. When other people’s opinions had more influence than I would have liked to admit.

Somewhere along the way, that changed.

Now my rule is pretty simple:

If I love it, I’ll wear it.

Not because everyone else will like it.

They probably won’t.

Not because it’s fashionable, flattering, appropriate for my age, or what someone else would have chosen.

Just because I looked at it and thought, Yep. That feels like me.

I think what we wear can be one of the quietest ways we introduce ourselves to the world.

Before we say a word, we’ve already said something.

Not necessarily something other people will understand correctly.

And maybe that’s the point.

They don’t have to.

I spent enough time worrying about how I might be seen.

These days, I’m much more interested in whether I recognize myself.

So wear the giant sunglasses.

Pile on the jewelry.

Wear black from head to toe or every color you can find.

Or wear none of it.

It really doesn’t matter.

As long as when you catch your reflection, you think—there you are.

— Christina