To Be Different But Not Too Different

How To Achieve Your Manic Pixie Dream Goals, Hint: You Can’t!

BY NIKITHA MANNEM

The idea of being “unique” has its own culture, fostered especially in Western countries where individuality is praised. Being unique is being something “new” or “fresh”. It’s impossible for every person to embody that ideal. To be unique, one has to meet certain standards: skinny, light-skinned, and conventionally attractive. Too many times there has been a new trend that burns through the fast fashion industry that excludes those with larger bodies or have darker skin; these people get told that the style “doesn’t suit them” when oftentimes the patterns, accessories, hairstyles, and designs have been appropriated from their culture.

On apps like TikTok there have been massive rises and falls of creators with more “outlandish” styles. Those who were more eclectic and bold with choices were initially shunned by the internet, their comments full of negative, unwanted reviews. However, before long, those “critics” began to understand the process and started to love the interesting outfits put together in front of them, hyping up the creator to the point of fame and importance in society, having interviews lined up, are featured in fashion magazines, and eventually have with their own line of clothing.

However, those who garnered fame for having fashion tastes that make a statement often will continue to evolve their styles and once again become an outsider in terms of beauty standards and trends. Their supporters turn around, causing their popularity to plummet into niche corners of the internet again, proving that uniqueness comes with societal acceptance. That urge to be accepted as special and beautiful by society causes many to jump into trends, hoping it makes them stand out and shed their sense of self, but if they fail to meet these standards and expectations, much like the many loved then lost creators, they’re left in the dust.