If 2020 was the Year of Shopping Small and Social Distancing, 2021 is the Year of Gender Nonconformity and Dressing Nontraditionally. I’ve never been more happier or felt more confident than I have this year. While on break at a Lowe’s back in October, I talked to Maura about some outfit ideas. She saw how happy I was and said to me, “I really think you found yourself.”
So when did this gender nonconformity journey start? Around the summer of 2020 when I bought my purple bag and a pair of infinity scarves from Amazon. It took me a while to start wearing them to work because of how my coworkers might react. It didn’t go over quite as well in 2015 and eventually I gave up and got rid of my purses I bought from Amazon. Fortunately this journey has more staying power.
On my social media, I get bombarded with ads and one of them was for Coach. Combine that with the big Coach purse my coworker brought to work and I started to gain a huge interest in the designer brand. I eventually bought one in February and updated my wardrobe throughout the Spring. Even when sick and in the hospital I was fashionable. Fashionable 4eva 👗 👠!!!
I wore a nice outfit to Rob and Sara’s wedding. Her and her mother fell in love with my leopard print cardigan, hat, and my Coach purse. All of Sara and Rob’s friends were complimenting me too. Sara even asked me what the inspo was for me dressing nice. Some of it is the what but most of it is the who. At work back in August, Maura did crew briefing a little different asking us questions pertaining to how to count Lowe’s. I did one better and asked her “What my favorite brand of designer bag was” and “What (or who) inspired me.”
The dressing non traditionally has really taken off since the summer as the blog has really grown and the content has gotten better. I shop on Amazon but have started to buy clothes on Target.com. Here’s my leggings and a sweater dress that I bought in November.
On our last day at work before the changeover, I told Maura some things and I applaud her for being understanding. I told her that I came out as queer and she was really proud of me for admitting it. She and Ashley have been very supportive of me in this journey as are some of friends from high school who have read my blog. They’re always telling me, “Be You.” Rocco and his wife even have cheered me on in my gender nonconforming adventures in my fashion. My cousins have all been behind me in this adventure too.
Living my best life has taken a backseat until I got established at Giant Eagle but I think everyone is all right with it regardless. It’s hard when you have people who are old school who don’t get it. My gender nonconformity journey has been great and I’m not about to give that up because I made a few changes in my life.
My friends on Instagram have told me that I could inspire some people with my message. For example, Ragged Roots told me, “Don’t worry about the negative, just focus on the positive and be yourself. Not everyone will be on board but at least you are happy doing what you love and that’s what’s important!” Greensburg Live said this to me, “I wish people didn’t have to be afraid to be themselves. You could really help a lot of people.” What’d I say about being an inspiration?”
After Christmas, the journey continues. I have some cute bags in mind and another cute outfit in mind as well. Here they are.
Merry Christmas. Bye everyone. ❤️ you.
Stylish 🍒 