New York, New City, New Blog

Dear World (or whoever stumbles upon this blog), 

Welcome to my new blog! I have been wanting to do this for a while now, but haven't found the right time or words to get started. As of this past weekend, I am completely moved into my new apartment in New York City, so why not go with the flow of new things! (hopefully, the words will flow too...) 

I would like this blog to highlight my taste in fashion and how I navigate shopping and choosing items that look and feel right for me. As you can see in my picture, I am not your typical fashion blogging girl (maybe we'll get into identity things, perhaps not). I am often mistaken for a "sir," which really doesn't bother me, but sometimes shopping can get really awkward, uncomfortable, even terrifying at times. People always make assumptions one way or another — "oh, you would really like this (men's) shirt, it looks like something you would wear." Actually, a lot of my shirts are women's shirts, like the one in the picture. Women's shirt's fit me best, well because I do, in fact, have curves! Finding women's shirts that give me the look I am going for? There is the trouble. 

Many ask (sometimes without asking), "do you want to look like a guy?" Err... No, not really? Well, if things have to be so black and white, I think the answer would be — "yes." But honestly, I really hate that. I don't care if I am wearing men's or women's clothing, or if someone sees me as a "guy" or a "girl." I care about being comfortable and being happy with what I see in the mirror, which wasn't something I experienced until not that long ago. I am not "trying" to look one way or another, or "fool" someone into thinking I am this or that. I am just trying to find stuff I enjoy. My wardrobe consists of a good mixture of men's and women's clothing, and it is how I style and wear items that make them fit me. That is what I hope to show in my blog. I would like people to see the struggles and satisfaction of defying certain social barriers in fashion and gender. Everyone knows that things are never black and white, yet we obsessively try to put people in boxes that no one ever really fits into. Don't put me in a box, and I'll try not to put you in one! 

Why am I talking about clothes? Finally being able to find a style that works for me and realizing I am not limited to "this or that" has been so liberating and therapeutic for me. I was fortunate that I was not forced to wear things against my wishes on a daily basis as a kid, but I never felt free to dress how I wanted. Once I started buying my own clothes, I had no idea what to do. What caught my eye versus what fit my body never seemed to line up, and it took a lot of trial and error to get to where I am now. I wish that there had been more resources for me to turn to when I was trying to figure things out. I wish I had known stuff like — just because it's a "ladies" shirt doesn't mean it won't give me the look I want, or it's okay to try on men's pants and shoes without caring what the sales associate might think of me. I hope that this can be a useful tool for someone out there, if not at least make someone feel more comfortable trying things that might not work, or venture to departments they might not have before. 

I hope someone out there finds this blog a little interesting. If not, I really don't care — "Welcome to my public journal!" You will quickly learn that I am not a writer. I didn't read a lot growing up, and I didn't do very well in grade school, so if my poor grammar and lack of complex vocabulary bother you, then this is not the place for you to do your casual reading. If you're okay with all of that and me, then I will see you later! Maybe next time I'll introduce myself... 

My outfit:

Top- Brooks Brother's Non-Iron Short Sleeve Dress Shirt (Women's)

Bottom- Banana Republic Fulton Skinny Rapid Movement Chino (Men's)

Shoes- Cole Haan GrandPro Tennis Sneaker (Men's)

Tie- Brooks Brother's Reversible Striped/Plaid Bow Tie (Men's)