The word novelty is one I associate with kitsch, pop-culture, and nostalgia. Novelty handbags shaped like strawberries and grapefruit and pumpkin spice lattes are THE BEST and help me make my statement: I don’t like to be boring.
But there’s a darker side of novelty- at least for me. I was a novelty for a little bit to a certain crowd. Pre-Kendall, I really thought I’d end up with a guy mirroring the (majority of) the guys I went to high school with. I confused and intrigued these guys who I thought I should be dating.
I never quite got the preppy thing right, pairing sweet lace dresses with my navy Vans and the denim jacket I designed rather than espadrilles and cardigans… maybe a giant bow in my hair. These guys found me amusing would actually tell me as much. “I can’t figure you out,” was kind of a theme. I was a little wild but just tame enough that it would have been fine for me to meet the family. But I was a novelty.
Enter my Kendall. He had no expectation of me, but wanted (and still wants) to know everything about me. He embraces my quirks and my love of color, patterns, and glitter. Where my high school boyfriend was embarrassed of one particular tutu/ rainbow boot combo, Kendall told me I should never have a capsule wardrobe “because of your popsicle dress.” He got me a boombox purse for Christmas. The Reptar clutch in this post was a random Friday surprise.
The dress I wore to brunch last weekend with Dani was another feelin’ myself moment. I wore it twice in one week because it makes me feel AMAZING. That is how clothes should make you feel. I got it during the #NSALE and just got it in purple. If it comes back in black, I’ll get that one too.
Again, my point is not that I’m better than the preppy guys I dated, or like, anyone, for that matter. I’m saying, to thine own self be true. Love yourself, be yourself, and only be with those who love you being yourself.
Photos by Dani
Outfit details:
Danielle Nicole Nickelodeon Rugrats Reptar Bar Clutch Bag||Glitter Dangle Earrings||Karen Kane Wrap Style Drape Front Dress||Keds for kate spade new york Glitter Lace-Up Sneakers||Ezra Statement Necklace
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