I honestly love that my Dad is coming around to my style preferences. We’ve gone from arguing about whether or not wearing skulls and chains would be acceptable out with him and around his friends and visiting family to him sending me creepy cool things he finds on the internet and buying me awesome stuff whenever he sees something he thinks I’d love.
The other day on our Father-Daughter date, we were talking about how easily some people get offended by curiosity. Just as children are known for, curious people will either stare at anything that stands out or just ask “why?”
I don’t mind answering these questions (granted, they aren’t blatantly rude) because I know that sometimes I dress a little different than the norm and people will jump to conclusions so I might as well give them a new view on life. And I do get stared at. When I’m up and about and I’m feeling like today is not going to be just a t-shirt and jeans kind of day, I know that’s going to happen when I go out in public. I’m not afraid of it. I’m pretty confident in myself, don’t mind answering questions, and don’t take offense to everything so easily.
I had said something like “I know people tend to be curious about anyone who dresses a little weird.” And I went on to use myself as an example.
Now, the word “weird” made him frown. He stopped me and said “Weird?”
I reworded my statement to “Well I definitely dress a little more *fabulously* than a lot of other people around.” And his face lit up. It was great.
He doesn’t think much of my appearance as he used to. I dress as I like when going anywhere or meeting anyone. I mean… Of course I don’t wear any of my “slutwear” to dinner dates and family gatherings (I see that as inappropriate). I’ve always been a well-mannered, polite young lady. I’m highly respectable (at least I like to think so). There was never a behavior problem with me growing up. I conduct myself accordingly. Nothing to worry about. I haven’t strayed from that. I haven’t become a totally new person. I have always been me.
It’s great being as strange as I want without worrying if my appearance embarrasses Dad when we go out. He probably thought I was just going through some rebellious phase or something. Now I think he knows more of exactly who I am and we have an understanding… And my style isn’t even done evolving yet.