Gurl, Put your FYP on mute

Courtesy of Touchstone Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Written By:  Jacqueline Preuninger

I find the start of the New Year to be a very stressful time. Between the return to school and work and trying to set New Year Resolutions, the time is filled with tons of expectations that are only sometimes met. Amidst the mid-January winter funk, this year I took it upon myself to watch the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, a classic 2000s movie starring Diane Lane, whose character, upon a life-altering divorce, is forced to move out of her home. She later finds herself en route to Tuscany, Italy, where she spontaneously purchases a Tuscan villa and begins the process of building a life in a foreign land. The movie is about her search for family and love, and how she ultimately finds them in unconventional ways (i.e. not through a hot Italian man.) The movie inspired me to look at making my New Year's resolution but through a different lens. This year, I am striving to bring myself joy and happiness in whatever form feels right to me, and like Frances in Under the Tuscan Sun, I might not be doing this in the most conventional ways.

Fashion and generally being playful bring me a lot of joy. But currently, with the influx of social media trends and its expectations of how to dress in a way that will be acceptable to one’s peers, it can be hard to find your style. So, this year I am proposing to make a capsule wardrobe that brings me joy and helps support my style. Now, when I say capsule wardrobe, I don’t necessarily mean a Caroline Basset wardrobe filled with neutrals in sleek cuts. Rather, I refer to things that you gravitate towards which make you feel confident and utilitarian. For example, this summer, I got rid of most of my sweaters and thus had to buy some new ones come winter. I knew while I was browsing that I wanted to buy some “forever” pieces. During my search, I found the most fabulous navy sweater…  with a dinosaur on it! Now, you might be thinking, “Jacqueline, enough.”, balking at its clear, ridiculous goofiness. Indeed, it most certainly is. But you know what? It matches my wardrobe and never ceases to make me laugh, and more importantly, brings me joy. What could be more perfect than a piece that matches my soul? Rawr.

This year, I encourage people to, of course, appreciate trends but also to become independent of the trend factory that is social media. Think about the clothing that makes you feel confident and happy. What is the point of fashion if you do not feel your best or see longevity in the clothes you buy, at that point you may be fashionable but certainly not stylish. I think happiness is about the little things, so I shall pursue it one dinosaur sweater at a time.

Courtesy of Coach