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On Self Imposed Style Rules

On Self Imposed Style Rules

As part of a larger overall post on how Ive grown as a Goth I started musing about style rules I used to give myself that I no longer find applicable. Basically, at some point I decided I cant wear X, or I wont buy Y. And I stuck to these totally artificial rules. As I was talking to my older brother, who is a big fan of the Myers-Briggs personality types, he blamed this on me being an INTJ. But I cant be the only one who has ever done this...right?

Source.

Some rules obviously come from society-beauty standards, i.e. I tend not to wear a heavy eye and a heavy lip in the same makeup look or, as a plus-sized person, I tend to stay away from shorter skirts. But honestly, Im not about that. If I want to be part of an alternative style (and after nine years, Id say I do) I can feel comfortable ditching those.

For me, one of the big things Ive been falling in love with lately is gold. Gold in decor, gold in jewelry, whatever! My past post about Gothic Gold decor (and the corresponding Pinterest board) are testament enough to that. Something about it really appeals to my witchy side.
But for the longest time, I didnt think I could wear gold! For whatever reason, I thought Id have to just stick with silver. Maybe its because I never saw any other Goths wearing gold or that I associated it with Steampunk or maybe I just didnt like the way that mixing your metallics looks, but anyway. Its a stupid rule. And Im ditching it. Hence, this post about gothic gold looks.

Some honorable mentions of stupid style rules: dressing for "your shape," dressing to "slim down," dressing for your seasonal coloring, not wearing white after labor day, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. Gross.

So, basically, Ive decided to say "fuck it" to most of these self-imposed style rules that I picked up somewhere along the way. Im looking for some beautiful black and gold jewelry now to add to my collection. Im looking into skirts that fall above the knee. Currently Im looking at this beautiful little gold bat necklace from Etsy. Or maybe this gorgeous black and gold ouija planchette pendant (no, theyre not trendy anymore. Yes, I still love them.)

Am I the only one who did this to themselves? What fashion rules do you have for yourself, or what ones did you internalize from elsewhere? What ones did you used to have that you no longer enforce?

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