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This past year has seen the rise of the ‘YOLO'(or ‘You Only Live Once’) lifestyle and the emergence of ‘throwing caution to the wind’. This newfound independence and willingness to live life to the fullest has manifested itself in a wave of social media platforms designed to empower us to feel better about ourselves, such as TikTok and Instagram. The rise of these platforms has ushered in a new era of celebrity – one where stars are no longer afraid to show their flaws and mistakes. What was once considered ‘vanity-seeking’ is now inspiration for many.

This newfound sense of agency has afforded celebrities the opportunity to experiment with their looks and express the way they really feel through their clothing. Whether it’s a brightly colored wardrobe or an abundance of makeup swipes, the way a celebrity opts to present themselves is a powerful tool in establishing their identity. It’s not surprising, then, that so many of this year’s most fashionable stars are those who chose to buck the trend and shunned conventional approaches to fashion and beauty.

The Pros And Cons Of Going ‘Unconventional’

While we’re undoubtedly seeing a rise in anti-fashion behaviour, it’s important to remember that some of the most fashionable stars were raised in a time where gender roles were more strictly defined. The traditional idea that a woman should be ‘petite’ and ‘dainty’ and a man ‘broad’ and ‘masculine’ no longer apply. We live in an age where individuality and self-expression are the key, and what’s more, celebrities are inspiring us to question society’s expectations of masculinity and femininity.

Celebrities such as John Legend and Bella Hadid have both spoken out against stereotypical gender roles and the double standards that exist between the sexes. In an interview with Vogue, Hadid said, “I really like when men wear dresses and heels, because it makes them feel more like a woman. It makes them seem more approachable. Because femininity is so relative these days, I think men should feel more comfortable showing more of their feminine side.”

While the above quotes speak to the pros of going ‘unconventional’ – the empowerment that comes with breaking away from societal norms – there are also important matters to consider. For instance, how exactly does opting out of the dress code make a man more feminine? What are the long-term effects of this trend on gender ideology? Does hiding your true feelings make you a stronger, more expressive person? These are all important questions, and it’s important that we don’t just focus on the superficial when answering them. But having a clear picture of how going ‘unconventional’ can help and hinder you, will enhance your ability to make informed decisions about this important lifestyle choice.

The Identity Crisis Of Classifying People By Appearance

One of the more interesting facets of this newfound sense of individuality is how it has afforded us the opportunity to redefine beauty and classifications based on perceived looks instead of real talent or ability. While it’s never been easy to find the ‘perfect’ shape, the ability to tailor your identity to suit your looks rather than the other way around is a revelation to many.

Take, for instance, the Kardashians and their brood of fashion-conscious social media platforms. Since the launch of their eponymous app in 2014, the Kardashians have inspired an entire generation of women and empowered them to express their uniqueness through fashion. While the fashion-focused app lets users find the nearest Nordstrom and buys items such as dresses and purses with the click of a button, the reality TV show has inspired a subculture of ‘Kardashian Fashion.’

One of the distinguishing features of the Kardashians is their ability to be completely and openly themselves – even those aspects of their identity that they don’t necessarily want to advertise. This was made possible by a generation of TV viewers who embraced the fact that these were ‘no rules’ outfits and recognized that yes, these were the people who showed up to the barber every week and the person who ate what they cooked.

What’s interesting is how this has affected their children. Having a father who’s played a prominent role in the fashion industry, Kendall and Kylie have grown up in a world where being ‘cool’ and adopting ‘edgy’ fashion habits is seen as fashionable and normal. Thanks to this exposure, both of the Kardashian sisters can easily accessorize with the most glamorous women in the world, and yet they still feel at ease wearing sneakers and leggings or combat boots and torn jeans.

So what does this all mean for the future of fashion and beauty? For one, it means that classifications such as ‘beautiful’ and ‘attractive’ are now meaningless. Thanks to a more flexible definition of beauty, there is no longer a need to measure up to an imaginary standard. It also means that those who do not fit the ‘ideal’ body type are now empowered to embrace their uniqueness and be confident in their ‘bagginess’ or ‘curves.’ Finally, it means that those who aspire to be ‘classically’ beautiful can do so without feeling that they need to adhere to a particular dress code.

The Emerging ‘Throwing Caution To The Wind’ Trend

While we’re seeing a rise in anti-fashion behavior, it’s important to remember that some of the most fashionable stars were raised in a time where gender roles were more strictly defined. The traditional idea that a woman should be ‘petite’ and ‘dainty’ and a man ‘broad’ and ‘masculine’ no longer apply. We live in an age where individuality and self-expression are the key, and what’s more, celebrities are inspiring us to question society’s expectations of masculinity and femininity.

Indeed, many of this year’s most fashionable stars were raised in a time where gender roles were more strictly defined. The idea of menopause was unheard of, and it wasn’t uncommon for a woman to be ‘finished’ with childbearing at a much earlier age. It wasn’t until the later part of the 20th century that women began to be recognized for their talents and capabilities as well as their female organs (and those who couldn’t or wouldn’t fit the ‘traditional’ mold were often overlooked).

Even now, as women are gaining more equality and opportunities, there is still a large portion of society that doesn’t understand or accept the fact that women can be as strong as, or even stronger than, men.