There is a copy paste problem happening right now and it cuts across gender, age, and income.

Same cosmetic tweaks. Same faces. Same cars. Same bags. Same neutral toned polyester fits from Zara and H&M. Same alo athleisure silhouettes worn everywhere, all the time, as if life itself is a gym errand.

And the wild part is this: When someone shows up as themselves, quirks intact, dressed with intention, people mock it. Not even because the outfit is bad. But because it reminds them that they stopped trying.

I Did Not Grow Up Afraid of Clothes

I grew up in Italy. I spent all my formative years there and did not move to the States until high school.

On and off post, I was immersed among other military families, Italians, and transplants. There was one unilateral theme: People dressed loud, soft, elegant, strange, theatrical, practical. All of it existed together and no one made it weird.

I still remember seeing someone at a local market in a full gown and makeup. Not for attention. Not ironically. Just because that is what they felt like wearing that day. No one laughed. No one stared. It barely registered as something worth commenting on.

Style was treated like self expression, not a performance for approval.

We Were Taught to Look Presentable, Not Lazy

Growing up, I was not allowed to wear sweats or leggings in public.

At the time I thought it was just some arbitrary rule my parents made up. Later I realized other kids had the same rules. The message was simple. How you present yourself matters. Sloppy clothes were for sick days at home.

And before anyone panics, I love sweats. I wear them. Comfort is not the enemy. The issue is when comfort becomes an excuse to completely disengage from how you show up in the world.

Somewhere along the line, athleisure stopped being reserved for hot girl walks, or the gym, and it became the norm for everyday living.

Congrats, Fast Fashion Made Everyone Brave Enough to Be Boring AF

Now in the States in 2026, athleisure has such a grip on people that they genuinely do not know what to do when someone wears actual clothes.

Not even interesting clothes. Just clothes with texture, shape, intention.

And then there is the fast fashion uniform. The same Zara outfit. The same SHEIN haul. Synthetic fabrics stacked on synthetic fabrics, all marketed as individuality while producing visual sameness at scale.

If you want to soak your body in overpriced polyester, go for it. Truly. That is your choice.

But what is confusing is the hostility toward people who choose differently.

Stop Saving Yourself for a Hypothetical Life

This idea that you need a special occasion to wear the clothes, do the thing, or be fully yourself is a scam.

The nice dress sits in the closet. The bold outfit waits for an event that never comes. The version of you that feels most alive is put on hold for someday.

Well, bestie, that day is not promised. Life is short as fuck.

Wear the coat. Stack the jewelry. Put on the lipstick. Dress like you respect the fact that you woke up today.

Every day you leave the house is an occasion. The grocery store counts. The elevator counts. Your own life counts.

They Laughed First Because They Felt Seen

This morning, a couple in my building laughed at my outfit in the elevator.

It was simple. A faux fur vest. A Dôen dress. Buddha Girl bangles. Celine sunglasses.

Nothing outrageous. Nothing costume-like. Just personal.

Imagine my surprise as I caught them mocking me.

Whatever. Because here is the truth people hate to admit. When someone is comfortable being seen as themselves, it highlights how many others are hiding. Nothing screams insecurity like being mean about someone else’s self expression.

This Is About Nerve, Not Clothing

This is not about money. It is not about brands. It is not about being dressed up all the time.

It is about choosing. About not defaulting. About remembering that style can be playful, intentional, and personal without needing permission.

Uniformity feels safe. Individuality takes nerve.

So if you feel the urge to laugh when someone dresses differently, ask yourself why. It usually has nothing to do with them and everything to do with the parts of yourself you gave up to fit in.

Let people be strange. Let them be eclectic. Let them be whatever the fuck they want.

Wear the clothes. Take up space. If they laugh, good. It means you remembered you’re alive and they didn’t.