Fashion for Fun (Photo by: Jakob Layman)
Fitting In
Two years ago, I sold everything I owned except for two small suitcases, bought a one-way plane ticket, and came to New York City. After spending the first 22 years of my life as a tan, blonde beach resident in sunny Jacksonville Beach, Florida, I was ready for the exciting pace of big city life.
I swore to all my friends I was going to land in the city, dye my hair black and immediately start smoking cigarettes. I wanted to “fit-in” and look the part of a New Yorker. Well, two years later, my hair’s still blonde and cigarettes are $12 a pack. Needless to say, neither “blending” method ever happened.
What I’ve learned in the time I’ve spent in this obnoxious place that 8.4 million people call home, is that every stereotype the rest of the world casts on New Yorkers (let’s face it, the island of Manhattan is not part of planet Earth), is just a misunderstanding of what it means to live here.
Just New Yorkers being New Yorkers. Photo by: Danielle Mulder
Standing Out
There’s no need to fit-in to a city where individuality is what makes each of us a New Yorker. And the collective of crazy characters who fill our streets that aren’t afraid to stand out, is what makes this place so special. So for now, I’ll hold on to my blonde roots (no pun intended), and semi-clean lungs.
New Yorkers aren't better than everyone else, we just dress like it. (Photo by: Jakob Layman)
