ask mr. kate: how do i dress crazy and not be weird?

QUESTION…

hey mr.kate!

i love you and your style so so much!! here is my question: i’m 13 years old and at my age it’s really weird to dress up cool and crazy but i wanna do it with out looking weird or something. what do you think i should do?

love -dancejuicyjuicygirl-

ANSWER…

Hi Dancejuicyjuicygirl!

I love that you love my style! Thank you!

I have been dressing wacky, crazy, cool or weird for my whole life. It really is in the eye of the beholder as to which one of the former adjectives they may use describe my personal sense of style. Fortunately, I’ve always dressed for my own enjoyment and not the opinions of others. I was shy in junior high and the beginning of high school but style was always the way I expressed myself. Whether it was kool-aid colored hair, vinyl pants or blue lipstick, I was always a bit “different” but always had fun!

My advice is to take chances with your style. There will always be people judging or critiquing you, no matter what you wear or what you do. The exercise is to recognize that those people’s opinions don’t matter because they’re not encouraging you to express your true self. Especially at your age, you should be experimenting with your style and seeing what works for you, your comfort level and your creative vision.

I’d start with one wild card as part of an overall outfit. See what works for you and feels the best and you’ll start identifying your own “kooky” style.

Examples:

Wear something “normal” and then wear purple lipstick.
Wear a funky pair of platforms with cut off shorts and a slouchy t-shirt.
Wear an arm-full of mis-matched bracelets with a cute, floral, summer dress.
Wear neon skinny jeans in place of your regular jeans…

You get the idea – just start replacing one “normal” article of clothing or accessory with a “wildcard” thing that makes you excited to face your day! As long as you turn your nose up at the haters, you will have a great time and ultimately become a stronger and more complex person! Break A Leg at the performance of Life, my friend!

- kate

PS – here are some old photos of me from junior high and high school to let you know that my “craziness” started way back ; )

Me at 14 years old in a green wig that I used to wear all the time – I even wore it to my 8th Grade graduation. then in a usual outfit for me consisting of a tiara, fur-collared, floor-length, mesh jacket and vamp lipstick.

Me at 15 years old wearing a bandana as a shirt, crazy pompom pig tails and a black ribbon as a choker.

Me at age 16 or 17 accepting my award for Children’s Jumper Champion at a horse show wearing pink snakeskin, vinyl pants. Most kids wore the usual English riding uniform with coat and pants to accept their awards… but obviously I didn’t ; )

see more old photos of me – including my ‘pixie cut’ here!

prev	summer drink: peaches and wine

color palette inspo: acid yellow fireplace

http://www.facebook.com/KouRaGe87 Keitra Grant

That’s really awesome that you do that. I’ve always been the same way, but was a little more shy about it. At 13, I didn’t care anymore and made jewelry and hair accessories out of the weirdest things I could find. After a while, I started to tone it down because I was just afraid of what people thought. But I’ve been trying to get back to that because I miss it. I felt more like me. I’m weird and that’s who I am! I love dying my hair and painting my nails in weird ways. I’m slowly trying to ease my way back into being okay with dressing the way I want. I see things I love and then say, “Oh, I don’t think I could pull that off.” I’m not sure how to stop that one!
- mrkate
  
  you can totally pull it off! just put it on and then you’re pulling it off ; ) – thanks so much for your great comment! xx
haiitsvi

Wow, you were so brave dressing in that crazy green wig! I think I’ve been the same although not to your extent. I’ve always described my style as costumy. In middle school I would dress up as different characters when everyone else wore the staple Aeropostale and a&f tees and jeans. In high school I unfortunately had a uniform/dress code but I accessorized and did my hair in weird styles though I did not color it. Now that I’m in college and can wear whatever I want I can express myself freely no matter what anyone else thinks. I try to keep it trendy while taking my own spin and I get compliments sometimes for my unique style.
- mrkate
  
  Cool! Sounds like you have it figured out! College is a great place to experiment with different looks – how exciting! xx
kirsten

Haha the snakeskin vinyl pants one cracks me up. Would be awesome to see you with the other award winners haha
- mrkate
  
  haha i know, good times ; )
Kris

I can completely relate, Dance Juicy Juicy Girl! I’m in college though I want to express my style in a more dramatic way but don’t know where to start! I live in Alaska and we were recently voted the worst dressed state… that speaks for itself. So thank you Mr. Kate for giving us much needed advice!
elena

wow thank you so much for posting that! I’m going into high school this fall (fingers crossed!) and before I read this I was really unsteady about what people will think of me if I step out of my comfort zone in what I wear. But I think this fall when I’m going back-to-school shopping, I think I’m gonna go all out, really stepping into my personal style! this really inspired me so thank you!!!!
Alegna

This is so helpful! I’m 14 and sometimes I get shy to dress up. Thank you Mr. Kate for giving good advice! I’m feeling soooo inspired. xx
energyweirdgirl

Dear Mr.Kate,
I’m 15 and I can’t do my make up! Can you do a DIY for me and my sister? We both want a cute style with it please!

THANX,
-energyweirdgirl