Fashion vs Individuality. Do you dress according to trends or do you dress and create your own style based upon what you like?

[thegreenyogi]

[WhiteSteve]

I’m very into clothes, haha. I wouldn’t say I follow “trends”, because those pass quickly, and I don’t like wasting money. I think I try to be somewhat “timeless” if I can.

There are also things I’m a stick in the mud about. Certain fashion trends today, I WILL NOT comply. My generation fought against THESE socks our parents dressed us in…

So I’m no-show socks FOR LIFE…

That looks clean af👌

And I will NOT be told by young whippersnappers that they make me look old, and that THIS monstrosity is the better alternative…

These socks are so incredibly bad😷🙅‍♂️

Never. NEV-ERRRRRRRR, lmfao. If you see me in the streets looking like that, hit me with your car and end my miserable existence😂 Would not be caught DEAD in those socks, so please remove them before the coroner comes and takes pictures🤣 All the kids at my gym wear them, and I’m like “you all look so goddamn dumb in these things”🙄😒 But whatever, that’s they’re journey, not mine😝 I’m just saying “not me.” NEVER ME, hahaha

Anyway, socks rant over😂 But I’d just say I have a pretty simple casual style, and maybe a little more pizzazz if I’m getting dressed up. Summertime, it’s shorts (just above knee-length, I’m too tall for these 7” inseams, lmao, might as well be Daisy Dukes on me😂) and a graphic t-shirt…. but it has to be an AWESOME graphic t-shirt. Graphic tees can be suicide, but I aim to only get ones that have an excellent aesthetic, and often a cleverly-made reference, like an “if you know, you know” kind of thing. Like when someone stops me and says “bro…. thats an UNBELIEVABLE t-shirt”…. I know that A) they know what’s up, and B) we share a similar interest in whatever the shirt references.

As an example, I have a t-shirt that references a once-popular rap song, but you either need to be 45+ or a true hip-hop head to know it, in 2025, because it’s from 1986. But it’s a legendary duo who are pioneers of rap, Eric B & Rakim. Eric B was the DJ, Rakim was the rapper. It sounds dated now, but in 1986 it was a paradigm shift that advanced the genre to a different level. Game-changers.

Anyway, they had a famous song called “Eric B Is President.” So, at least in America, presidential campaign signs are formatted like:

”Presidential candidate’s name
Vice Presidential running mate’s name, election year”

So this t-shirt says, in USA red, white, and blue lettering:

”Eric B
Rakim ‘86”

And what I love about this shirt, is that everyone is so politically at odds right now that people make instantaneous character judgements about you if you wear political gear. So as I’m approaching, it looks like I’m wearing a “Trump/Vance” or “Harris/Walz” t-shirt, and I’ll often see people notice, watch their eyes flare like “whoawhoawhoa…. let’s see whose side you’re on!🤨”, and then I’ll see the look of confusion wash over their face, as they read it and usually just don’t get the reference, lmfao. I love that so much😝

Alright, this is getting super long, I don’t want to do that to you, hahaha. But the last thing I’ll mention is my prize piece, that’s unfortunately conspicuous so I can only wear it sparingly. I have vintage 1960s letterman SWEATER.

What’s cool about this is that, we do letterman JACKETS in American high schools, for decorated athletes. It’s usually a wool jacket with leather sleeves, in your school’s colors, and once you play enough or play well enough, you earn a “letter”, a fuzzy capital letter (s) patch of your high school’s initial (s) that gets sewn to the left chest area, and it’s your pride and joy, and you hot dog around the mall in it trying to impress girls😂

BUT…. you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing it AFTER high school, you look like a loser who never closed the yearbook and moved on in life, haha. But they’re great looking, aesthetically, just kind of an American Classic.

This is an 80s movie where some geeky kid forces his way onto the football team to impress a girl, gets relentlessly bullied, but then he actually gets in the game and gets pretty badly hurt and hospitalized. The end of the movie is the most 80s movie thing ever, lmao, and the bullies have given him a letterman jacket out of respect, and they do the greatest 1980s slow-clap you’ve ever seen😂 But you can see the jackets I’m taking about, and they kind of give you instant gravitas as “one of the coolest guys at the school”…

https://www.youtube.com/embed/MIpJaYfmSuQ

Anyway, I say all that to say that I love the look, but it’s a faux pas to wear your own jacket as an adult (mine isn’t a good color for me anyway, haha). BUT I found in my mother’s high school yearbook, they had guys pictured in letterman SWEATERS, with the letter down on the bottom left by your waist. It’s an old relic that most people young enough to care that I was wearing a letterman jacket would be like “wait…. what is that?”, and at very least will see that it’s from another era that pre-dates me, so it’s not lame, it’s cool and vintage, haha.

I love this thing so much. I get compliments every time I wear it (I just wear it open over a plain white t-shirt or waffle-shirt). I even had a dude yell to me from a passing car about it, and as they were turning the corner, he goes “yo, how much for you to take it off?”, like he wanted to buy it off my back😝 As a white guy, there’s no greater fashion compliment than a cool Black dude telling you you look good and even wanting to buy what you’re wearing🤣 Very validating, lmfao

1,000 words, I should stop, my bad😅

[thegreenyogi]

Lol!! Very informative. I agree that the show socks alternative can be a bit too much sometimes.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

...Is there one person here, disregarding hermits, who does not follow a trend, even a minor one? I mean, clothing is an industry, we live in a society, everything and everyone around us is a source of influence, one way or another.

So, what individuality?

I can see an alleged individuality yes, the one that is conveyed by marketing. To make us think that we chose clothes independently. That were more than a customer buying a product coming from a factory selling this very same product to thousands, if not millions, of people.

So, again, what individuality?

[NordicInScandinavia]

Neither tbh.

I dress for comfort and for myself, but still take heavily into account how others see me and how they'd correlate my clothing with consent of any kind. My number first rule when getting dressed is modesty and coverup - of course all relative after weather. I make a lot of my own clothes, working on the courage to wear some of it - it makes people look.

[DishLady]

A little of both. I mean I’m not showing up in stuff that looks good but is for the wrong season/generation. I’ve curated a classy-but-sassy core look that doesn’t require me to constantly switch up my wardrobe. I’ll adjust smaller parts like accessories.

[AI Opinion]

I love blending both! I enjoy keeping an eye on fashion trends for inspiration but ultimately, I believe in expressing my individuality through my style. It's all about wearing what makes me feel confident and happy while adding my unique twist to any trend. Embracing personal style is an exciting journey! 😊✨

[SamIam96]

I don't intentionally follow any trend. I lean towards what's comfortable but I find myself unconsciously taking on the style of people I'm close to.

Lately, I've been dressing like a woman at work who I'm fond of. She often wears baggy jeans and tee shirts. Not long ago, I realized I've been wearing similar outfits.

[thegreenyogi]

I think it is a known fact that when we like someone unconsciously we start to mirror the other person. So it would explain why you are dressing similarly to a woman you are fond of.

[SamIam96]

Food for thought.

[Levin]

I just keep things simple, man. It's too easy to follow fashion trends but I just look silly, especially given my age, if I were to attempt to wear those things. They suit people in their 20s, purely because people in their 20s look good wearing anything, any gaudy shite.

It's all about what you can pull off and the energy you bring.

But yes, I just wear simple colours. Good rule of thumb is wear light on top and dark below, or vice versa. And avoid clothes that are too pristine, preppy or 'gay' looking. Which rules out 90% of clothes.

[Anonymous]

Trends in my subset. Like Geeky - print t shirts, almost always with a geeky theme. A lot of guys would probably do the same.

I have a few friends who are almost always in a suit and tie... and it's inspiring me to try to do better, and dress more like a grown up. I dress up from work, black outfit, usually. I used to do church dressed up. Work, if I'm in public, dressed up, mostly. I wear a black baseball cap for less formal events. Black sneakers for everything, because it's hard to I hurt my feet in an accident ages ago, and it's hard to find shoes that don't hurt my feet. I'm a weird size, too, so the shoes are almost always expensive...

I'm mildly dramatic and in a creative field - it's hard to fit that balance that isn't too extreme, is professional, and looks cool, but isn't going to alienate the elitists who are very conservative with their fashion (or they obsess over the fashion of outside contractors).

[NathanDavis]

never have, never will care about trendy fashions... it's just not for me, and I don't find it authentic at all, in fact... it can make me cringe as a man

I dress first for comfort (because the weather down here can be ruthless lmao) and second for practicality... the fact that most people think I look good is just a coincidental bonus so that's not an issue either, lol

but, I would not go as far as to say that I have a particular style I made my own...

[Anonymous]

Be yourself, as a guy, I have enough to deal with, girls change their minds as much as they change their bras, and I don't need to live life up and down for someone. I wouldn't expect a young woman who likes me to dress in latex pants, hooker boots, a tight top and a dog collar to turn me on. I would love her for her, even if she wore track pants and sweats, obviously not to a fancy restaurant or wedding or special event but you catch my drift. I'm fine with wearing white nike's, tapered Levi's jeans, (not too baggy, not too tight), Ralph Lauren pocket tshirt and a snapback as my style. If a girl says eww, then next year, she can pursue someone else.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Always my own style

[HawkPerception]

You look like you'd play a role in Oppenheimer

[D_Bone_Steak]

Comfort, functionality, and that's about all I give a shit about. There is no point to "fashion" unless you're some kind of 'pick me' 'try hard' that has to care about that shit for.. I dunno... reasons.

I dress for comfort and that's about it. If I'm going out to do some sniper shit, I'll probably wear some diapers and a coveralls with bushes strapped to me. As far as looking good for people though... I got a big dick, clothes are for little dicks to hide that.

[Tarifa]

I always pick what I like. I'm my own trend setter. I couldn't care less what other people think.

There are of course occasions where you have to dress according to a certain dress code: formal dinners and weddings are some of them. Many companies have unwritten dress codes everyone adheres to.

[Miristheiss]

I would say I lean a bit more towards fashion. I don't shop much. That isn't my thing so I'm not hitting 15 different stores and just scouring the city for things that catch my eye and really unique things that you don't usually see. I just hit a few stores I often shop at and pick out something there that I like.

[SotiCoto]

I wear what I want to wear, which is generally what I personally think is cool... entirely separate from what anyone else does or says. I get a LOT of strange looks in public. I'm okay with that. I wouldn't want to look normal, as normal people are boring.

[Zack-Bann]

I was never a fan of trendy fashion
But I do model my style after “timeless looks”


So it’s somewhat the middle road


I stand out but not as a unique instance just a well thought out outfit planner


And of course it changes based on setting and what I need from my look.


No need to draw attention when I’m looking to unnoticed

[dragoblack]

What you see on runways isn't fashion, but art pieces. What you see in magazines is honestly pointless and bland, though well balanced and color coordinated.
The best fashion is outfits builts on your own likes, and interests.
Mine is a mix of D&D/renfair, goth, anime, and steampunk while being comfortable. Fashion should always be an expression of yourself, not what is a trendy outfit.

[beenherebefore]

A little but of both honestly. Fashion is an important part of my life but as I got older I prioritize comfort over following every single trend. Some days I dress up to get sh*t together other days I just wear my gym sets and chill.

[alice55]

I dress according to what I like when I was trying to follow fashion it stressed me make me lose all my money and in the end I did not even like the outfit I had now It's much better and I don't change my clothing style very 4 months

[lilBigPotato]

I am not chasing trends but of course trends might bring something to my attention that I like. But in the end I dress the way I like, not what is trendy just in this moment

[petitedollbabee]

I dress how I like, always have. I’ve never followed fashion trends, it’s boring looking like every other girl.

[luvstoned4him]

I love creativity and so I try to have that element in my life and dressing is no different. Not always a fan of trends and I dont believe in brands. I just wear whatever I find cute!

[FunkyMonkee]

I dress however the fuck I like! If someone else doesn't like it, that's THEIR problem!! I don't see ANYBODY ELSE in the world checking with ME to see if what they're wearing is something I like!!

[MrOracle]

If I think about style, it's a once-or-twice a decade event. There's not much I care less about. I give zero consideration to style and 100% consideration to function. I work for a living.

[OneViewpoint]

My own style. Take it or leave it.

It does get me noticed when I walk into place around New York City in black jeans and cowboy boots with a button up shirt and a black blazer.

[genericname85]

lol i never cared for trends. they always come back after a few years anyway. i usually use clothes for at least 5 years, so i sometimes get compliments on being fashionable even tho i just wear old shit xD

[Genie23]

I never follow trends. I just wear what looks good on me. I wear whatever kind of styles I feel like wearing.

[Nikki1989]

I have never followed trends. My style changes almost daily except for my professional work attire.

[Shiprex]

I don't have a style. I wear whst pops out at me that suits the conditions and comfort I wish.

Layers are good though, I like to be able to shed layers or add should conditions require.

[DrPepper12]

I call my aesthetic "homeless chic" mixed with an ensemble of "IDGAF it's 10° out"

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Homeless chic good one 🤣

[fonduegirl]

Usually mom shops for me. I'm an 8.5. If I were thin and has long hair and wore shorts and crop top, I'd be a 10.

[BCRanger10]

My style hasn't changed much since 2012. I've been described as "urban lumberjack".

[exitseven]

I dress for comfort and utility.

[Briennette]

It's a mix of both. Oftentimes I try something that's trending and realize I don't like it or it doesn't suit me.

[talka20]

A mix of both but i never follow all the trends or all the trends too quickly

[LiamJHayden]

I dress in classic business attire for work. I dress casually for most other things. I do not follow trends other than those.

[MannMitAntworten]

Definitely do not follow any ‘trend’. I wear for function unless wearing a suit.

[Bloodparadise]

Both.. sometimes I like jeans and a tee

Sometimes I wanna wear something that exposes my mid..

[AngryCarl2]

I don't get fashion. I just throw on clothes at random.

[Quetaismymiddlename]

I go by my own whatever fits my body type and culture works for me.

[Anonymous]

I don't care bout trends or fashion, I dress what I like, something comfortable.

[robocop666]

I dress poorly and have been told so. I refuse to change as I am unable to.

[Anonymous]

Whatever i feel comfortable in and depending on the weather outside

[qwerty2469]

I have the fashion sense of a 90's cartoon. I only wear jeans and plain black T shirts. Outside of work.

[WhitneySnow]

The second one

[Tracy2025]

Do my own style. Trends change all the time

[WonderingManII]

I just do what works for me.

[TwoToTooTutu2]

My own style. Never liked trendy fashion.

[AndrésC64]

Blue jeans and t-shirt or sweatshirt.

[Pterodon]

I dress how I want always

[beefcakebradybatson]

I'm a 72-year-old black cowboy. Guess?

[Ayaan00001]

I dress what I want to wear

[foxsquirrell]

My own style, I tend not to follow trends.

[Sabretooth]

I'll always go my own way.

[Frida_]

Some where in the middle.