Why I Wear What I Do and What it Means for Me

¶ … Social Media Influence

Monday -- The night before, I browse different style bloggers on the web. So after having looked at Chiara Ferragni's Paris fashion week outfits, I want to start my week off with fashionable outfits. Monday is when I have class all day and see most of my friends. Thus, I set my alarm for extra early so I can take more time for my appearance as I start the week. Inspired by Ferragni, I made an extra effort to style myself by accessorizing my outfits with a hat and an over-sized scarf and lots of jewelry. I felt very comfortable and confident in my appearance: the extra effort paid off.

DAY 2 TUESDAY

Parents

Tuesday - My parents are visiting this week and they are a huge inspiration as everything they wear fascinates and inspires me. My mother has always been interested in fashion and has an effortless chic look to her; as for my father he always looks very dapper and smart. I always aim to please them. That is why I choose an oversized white shirt with tight black leggings and high thigh black boots. I also add an oversized red scarf to make my outfit look less serious and more youthful (they always joke how I dress too old for my age). I took time to choose this outfit as I have not seen them for a while and want to look presentable as they are visiting me in my new home. Moreover, these dress choices I make are all due to my heritage and cultural upbringing. For example, Arab women really take time in their appearance and hardly ever look scruffy.

DAY 3 WEDNESDAY:

New outfit

Wednesday - I am the type of person who loves wearing something I just bought -- which in this case was a new pair of pants. While trying them on in the store I was thrilled that I fit into the smallest size. After feeling really good about myself I wanted to wear them to dinner with my parents this evening; however, I just could not find the right pieces to match these trousers. They are a particular camel color, which is hard to match with different colors. As I wanted the outfit to look perfect, I decided to take them off and save them for another occasion. Instead, I wore my "safe" simple black pants.

DAY 4 THURSDAY:

Messy / work day

Thursday- I have been working all day and have not had the chance to even look at myself in the mirror. When I work I put on my most comfortable sweat pants but no matter how comfortable I am I always have to color coordinate my outfit. Even if I don't plan on seeing anyone, I can't help it: I have to coordinate. So I wore my loosest grey sweatpants and a baggy white t-shirt with white converse. I felt so comfortable as everything was a loose fit and nothing was clingy.

DAY 5 FRIDAY:

Friends Birthday

Friday-Today is my friend's birthday and we are all going for dinner and celebrating at a fun restaurant. I look in my evening section wardrobe and pick two dresses. First is a sparkly long-sleeved skin tight dress. However, as I try it on I realize it won't work: the last time I wore it was in summer when I had a tan and was slimmer. I decide to go for the other: a simple black dress (that is also skintight but a lot more flattering). I made it more fun with little boots and a blue suede jacket.

Day 6 SATURDAY:

Gym day

Saturday- I wake up early and go to the gym. I make a lot more of an effort for this wardrobe as I am meeting my parents straight after at a cafe for brunch. Therefore I put on a fun pair of workout leggings and a loose-fitted black top with Nike trainers. I love these leggings as they are super tight and make my legs look skinnier than they are. They are high-waisted too so they also flatten my stomach. I carry a black cardigan in my handbag post-workout.

Day 7 SUNDAY:

Pajama day

Sunday- I am in an over-sized loose t-shirt with shorts from the night before. This t-shirt is extremely comfortable as it was my dad's and makes me feel really comfortable and happy in it. I plan on staying in it till my early dinner with my parents where I decide on wearing leggings and a loose jumper, something I can easily take off before going straight to bed (I have class early the next morning).

Final reflection:

Having documented my dress log for the week, I noticed in myself that I really do focus a lot on wearing clothes that flatter my body. Further, my Arab heritage is definitely reflected in my style; however, there is a strong European flair that comes from living in London. I love wearing black but I love juxtaposing it with a bold color. Still, I feel particularly aware of my body when I wear something daring. Many things run through my mind, such as: Am I revealing too much? Do I look fat in this?

Further, I really do try and put myself together well as I grew up surrounded by stylish and elegant women. So fashion and the way I dress myself is always an important part of my everyday life.