Why is it so freeing to dress outside the box?

Mustard yellow embroidered blouse from Etsy: ArtVyshyvankaUA

The traditional fashion world may have its own ideas of what is “in” and “out,” those trends don’t always reflect our own individual sense of style.

As self-expression through fashion has grown, so too have the number of people embracing alternative styles. From punk and pop art t-shirts, to Millennials’ soft, boho-inspired looks and the revival of cottagecore fashion – more and more of us are embracing styles that buck tradition while expressing our singular taste, regardless of the rules.

But why? What is it about ditching the world’s view of “fashionable” in favor of a more distinct style that so many of us find freeing? Here, we explore why dressing outside the box can be so liberating.

Dressing outside the box isn’t just a fashion statement

It’s a form of liberating self-expression.

It’s no secret that the fashion world can be incredibly restrictive. For decades, traditional trends have prevailed. From skinny jeans and statement bags to stilettos and film-star sunglasses, the same aesthetics seemed to define fashion.

Yet in recent years, this has started to change. Generation Z has embraced dressing outside the box. Aesthetic styles like grandmacore (old-fashioned, vintagey looks) and cottagecore (natural, rustic, outdoorsy looks) are on the rise, allowing young people to express themselves in new and exciting ways.

Knit from Etsy: ArtVyshyvankaUA

So, why is dressing outside the box so freeing? Firstly, it offers a form of self-expression in an industry that often expects us to conform to cookie-cutter styles. When you dress a certain way, you’re making a statement of who you are and what matters to you. Dressing outside the mainstream gives you the chance to create a look that is truly authentic and unique.

Secondly, dressing outside the box is freeing because it gives us the rails to explore wildly different styles and through the extremes find out what really works for us. For too long, the fashion world has encouraged us to stick to the same old trends, but dressing differently is a way to find something that fits our own individual needs and looks.

Etsy: TreasuresCare, Cashmere grandma cardi

Finally, dressing outside the box can be a great way to challenge traditional ideas about fashion – and society as a whole. By dressing in our own individual styles, we can demonstrate that there isn’t just one ‘correct’ way to look – and that the freedom of fashion should be embraced by everyone.

The Appeal of Grandmacore and Cottagecore: It’s not just about flaunting the curves

Case in point could be the grandma aesthetic cultures.

Among people of all generations - as long as they care at least a little about apparel - there is an increasingly popular trend in fashion being dubbed grandmacore and cottagecore aesthetics. Those see people draw inspiration from the fashion styles of older generations and sometimes even from eras long gone.

While such a style would not be accepted within the more proper fashion world, on the streets the fashion crowd is embracing the vibes freaky fashion aesthetics can. Dressing this way allows young people to express themselves in ways they may have never been given the opportunity to do before.

Self-Portrait striped rib cardigan

Especially for young people, fashion can be an important creative pursuit. By branching out and looking to times gone by, they are free to cultivate their unique style without having to adhere to more structured and restrictive guidelines.

The comfort provided by the styles of times past is possibly at the core of why these aesthetics have become so popular, though. Wearing clothes reminiscent of what their grandparents or great-grandparents might have worn creates a special kind of connection. Not to mention, drawing from the various elements of days gone by allows for a vast wardrobe of choice.

But even so, the clothes are often much more ill-fitting than today’s dynamic and creative streets styles, allowing for an even greater freedom of expression and perhaps most importantly, getting you used to actually expressing something. You won’t learn that in school, sadly.

For those who may be too intimidated by today’s high fashion trends, indie aesthetics have also provided a refuge. It is a reminder that fashion has no set rules, that there is no one true standard of clothing, and that the only real limitation in dressing outside the box is one’s own creativity. As tons of people continues to embrace quirky aesthetics, it stands to reason that these liberating fashion trends will continue to grow and lead the way in shaping a more accepting and freeing approach to personal style.

Knit from Etsy: ArtVyshyvankaUA

Express Yourself Through Edgy Aesthetic Fashion

The world of fashion is often filled with numerous restrictions and arbitrary guidelines, leaving little room to truly express yourself. With the emergence of fashion aesthetics, we now have multiple opportunities to dress outside the box. This type of fashion is all about comfort and expressing your individualism through your clothing choices, uninfluenced by the customary fashion world limits.

Take the celebrity example of Harry Styles. He became well-known for his bohemian style, typically consisting of a combination of softer clothing, like floral-printed dresses and cardigans. Styles sets an example for the world to express themselves in any way they express themselves through their clothing. He even dons jewelry and makeup looks that are typically deemed “out of the box” or “other.” While fashion like grandmacore and cottagecore may seem too explicit for the formal fashion world, it is a freeing form of expression for many people.

Celebrities like Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga also love to break the rules of traditional fashion. Lady Gaga is an excellent example of a celebrity who allows herself to push the boundaries of typical fashion norms. Her style constantly fluctuates between over-the-top luxury wardrobe statements androgynous, but always staggeringly unique. Lady Gaga’s style changes all the time, but what remains consistent is the idea that there is no box to fit into when it comes to what you wear.

Ultimately, grandmacore and cottagecore fashion allows us to express ourselves and our individualism without worrying about the implications of the fashion world. In a world full of conformity, it’s an amazing feeling to know you can remain expressive and unique outside of these rules and regulations. It is so freeing to dress outside the box, and celebrities like Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga are inspirational forces of change in this fight.