From content creators to video producers, personal branding is present all over the world in the form of what a person wears and how they express themselves. This form of aesthetics, in which each person determines their own rules and comfort level for their aesthetic, allows people to style their clothing.
The word “aesthetic” relates to the appreciation of beauty or a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of an artist or artistic movement. Aesthetics can be applied to various things other than just clothing fashion–for example, the way an app is set up and the design of its interface can also be determined as its “aesthetic.” While one person’s aesthetic may involve fall colors such as different shades of brown or orange, another’s might involve brighter colors like red and pink.
Aesthetic is a malleable word, bending and changing with each person. Are students at RHS in touch with their own personal aesthetic enough to be able to identify its presence in their lives?
Senior Rommel Jocson has his own view on the meaning of aesthetics.
“To me, aesthetics is basically something that you like [and] something that you’re comfortable with wearing. Something that you want to wear, not what everyone wants you to wear,” explained Jocson.
Time periods can play a big role in individual aesthetics as well. Styles that date back to the late 80’s and 70’s are finding their way back into present individual’s wardrobes. Vintage themed clothing such as bell bottoms, retro sneakers, and funky prints are prime examples. Even certain hair styles like perms and curly bangs circle back, instilling that 80’s vintage vibe.
However, as time goes on and people grow, so does the variety of aesthetics and new features present in a given person’s wardrobe. The amount of influence social media can have on creativity can unlock the door into the infinite possibilities for new styles.
“I was like everyone else. I was wearing basketball shorts, t-shirts and hoodies, normal stuff like that. And then when COVID started, I just started seeing people on Tik Tok and they’d dress pretty weird. But I thought it was cool.” Jocson stated. “So I was like, ‘I’m gonna experiment and do a little bit of what they [do]. And then I started experimenting with different types of clothing. Different pants, colors, shoes, and I just started becoming more confident by wearing it.”
However, a primary fear with trying new things in general is the potential of others’ perception being negative. It can be a struggle to overcome those fears while also trying to maintain confidence enough to wear and do what you like to do.
“I started wearing these Doc Martens that some people called dad shoes. They kept calling them that but at the same time I was just like ‘Oh, I like it and [it] doesn’t really matter.’ I like wearing [them] so at least I’m different, you know? I’m pretty creative with [my style],” explained Jocson. “You can’t be too worried about what other people [are] going to think of you because at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter. It’s your style.”
Everyone’s style is different, and sometimes that’s exactly the point. Expressing oneself can be hard and scary, but it can be even more terrifying finding an aesthetic, not knowing how the public will consume it. Despite these fears, Jocson thinks the reward is worth it.
“I like to wear odd clothing just so I [can] feel different. I find cool clothing that’s really weird, [something] you’d see on a fashion runway. That’s what I like wearing. Something that’s not ‘normal’ or in style usually,” said Jocson.
“I seriously think that fashion or clothing does not have a gender. However you want to express your style I say go for it. If it means doing [your] makeup or painting your nails, [wearing] earrings, or not wearing clothing that is ‘normal’, yeah I say go for it.” Jocson concluded.