It’s one of the more discouraging things that comes along with being a fashion trendsetter – dealing with people who just don’t get fashion.
When I was working on the article about What to Wear to Class, I was reminded that some people are extremely judgmental about the topic, to the point of ridiculing others who don’t dress the way they do.
Unless you live in a big city or another fabulous area that’s full of diversity, it’s likely that you’ll encounter people that don’t understand the things you wear, and/or people who will criticize your fashion choices. It comes with the territory of dressing outside the box and, unfortunately, it’s something you’re going to have to learn to navigate.
Here are some tips on how to deal with this negativity while staying fabulous and true to yourself.
Table of Contents
Always be confident in your fashion choices.
Wear things that you love, and make sure you KNOW that you look fabulous at all times. Make sure you love what you see when you look in the mirror. This sets you up with a basis of confidence that will help you combat any negativity.
If you know deep down that you look great, then criticisms won’t get to you. If you’re doubting yourself on some level, any little criticism will shake you up. Don’t let that happen!
Think about your average influencer.
If you need a little confidence boost to rock that slightly-above-your-comfort-level outfit, just think about your average Instagram girl.
These women we all follow on Instagram take photos in crazy outfits, in public places, every single day. And don’t think they just snap that outfit pic and run out of there — it takes hundreds of shots to get that perfect one. So that’s a ton of standing around, in public, in (oftentimes) a crazy outfit. And they do this every single day without flinching.
It sounds silly, but it’s true: if your average influencer can do it, so can you. Use them to inspire you to be bold!
Realize that it’s not about you, it’s about them.
It sounds cliche, but it’s true. People who hate on your outfit are just reacting out of fear, because they don’t know how to deal with people who don’t follow the crowd. Also, it’s likely that they don’t understand fashion nor the idea of self-expression through clothing.
At the end of the day, though, that’s their problem, not yours! Just because one person doesn’t get your style, it doesn’t mean others won’t. And is someone else’s opinion really important anyway? I say no, and you should too.
Remember: In fashion, negative attention is better than no attention.
Celebrities say it all the time – any press is good press! It’s really true in this case. If you’re fabulous enough to cause a stir with someone, you can bet that your look stands out in a crowd. That’s a great thing! Would you rather blend in to the background?
In fashion, it’s always better to be noticed for your look than ignored completely. View any criticism this way going forward.
Once you’ve done the above… ignore it and forget it.
Even if it’s hard to do, don’t let any of their comments into your head, and definitely don’t let them into your memory! The worst thing you can do is to let someone else’s criticism change you or make you conform instead of expressing yourself.
If you like the way you are dressing, stay true to that. Move on quickly from any criticism, and, if anything, go bigger — not smaller — with your outfit next time.
For next time: Choose your company carefully.
If one of your friends is constantly hating on your quirky clothing choices or making you feel bad about being yourself, it may be time to re-evaluate your friendship!
Surround yourself with people who love and support you — they’ll like you for who you are, and won’t put you down. In fact, the right people will applaud your quirky fashion choices — and make you proud to keep being yourself!
For more reasons to ignore fashion haters and keep doing your thing, see 25 reasons why you should dress up every day.
Your thoughts?
How do you deal with people who don’t get fashion, or who are judgmental about your outfits? Let me know your tips for keeping the haters at bay in the comments.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2008; it was completely updated and revamped in 2019 with new photos and information.
I think that if someone is paying enough attention to what you wear to comment, it means they’ve noticed and you’ve made an impact on someone (may it be negative or positive) based on your choice of clothes. And really, that’s what fashion is about. 🙂
ps. Great blog!
To be honest, I used to NEVER get dressed up for class, and it would be kind of embarrassing because I would wear ratty sweats and a giant T-shirt. Most of the people in my school wear sorority t-shirts and PINK sweatpants paired with ugg boots. But yeah, I don’t really dig that anymore and I am DEFINITELY done with dressing down at school!
I don’t know if I’m going to pull out all the fashion stops (i’ll save those for going out :D), but I definitely want to be much more fashionable when I go to class. I think people who fashion hate are really only doing so because they’re jealous – they either can’t pull off what you’re wearing or they are afraid of something different and outside of the “norm” (exactly what this blog said.) It’s ridiculous when people give you snarky stares for what you’re wearing! GET OVER IT! This article has made me feel loads better, because if they wanna hate, let them hate! If people judge me or guys think I “dress too weird” to be approached, WHAT-EVER. I will wear what I like and you can take it or leave it!
omg I totally agree!! I live in a town in the middle of nowhere in Mexico and girls just don’t wear skirts/dresses/hats! I do, because they’re so comfortable an dpoeple stare and stare. Fortunately, they’re getting the hang of my style, and I receive compliments all the time, but it was so hard at first.
Great site, by the way <3 Love it!!
I have the exact same prob as Tara and it sucks!! This blog is fab, it really is!! I always got stares whenever we had ‘tracksuit Days’ in secondary school (high school) and whenever I go into town but I have become immune to it. If those people want to remain boring and do whatever the majority is doing then fine, but they shouldn’t take it out on those who do their own thing!! Keep up the fantabbytastic work!!
about the friends hating on you, I totally hate when people do that and have a friend who does that upon occasion. she’s just sharing her opinion though, but in a negative way. I don’t like it and I ignore it, but I don’t see it as a reason to end the friendship. We’ve known each other for years.
I really dont get why everyone hates everyone has there own style and ppl seriously need to stop this is why so many ppl have low self esteem wear your clothes with pride and confidence because your the one wearing it. I use to get looks but it was my style unique so who clame I don’t dress nice it s your problem
SO true. It’s usually just jealousy, and I find the best response to be no response/looking more fabulous than them! 🙂
hi…
great blog
I feel like this happens a lot in my school, but I decided to no longer care and this guide reassures that! 🙂
I just got a negative comment on what I wore through an upload and you’re right. Will one negative comment bring me down when there are so many people liking how I dress? No, it wouldn’t. Your post made me feel better. Thank you.
I had some super colorful and comfortable skinnies that I absolutely loved in high school, both a pair in yellow and a pair in teal. One day when I walked in, I passed some random girl who said to her friend, “She’s ALWAYS wearing those yellow-ass pants…those or some teal-ass ones!” Hey, I guess that means I stood out, right? I always believed–and still believe–it takes a girl with confidence to wear “yellow-ass pants.” I’m going to wear what I want, be it a tunic tube top as a skirt (which I honestly thought was a skirt until I got to the register), a dress as a skirt, or some yellow skinnies. Who cares what others say!
much needed. thank you for posting this! 🙂
Great blog! Being true to yourself is the best advice. I’ve learned to be confident in my differences, altough it took forever lol. I’ve very petite and have a lot of defining features, not to sound rude, but I guess you could say I got good features all-around, no one seems to have a body even similar to mine! Especially not in a small town where there isn’t much diversity.^^ I use to hate it! But I’ve learned to embrace it. The point is If you naturally stand out like I do, work with it, own it. Dress the part.
This is such a good post! I wore these kind of high waisted pleated shorts to school one day, and this guy followed me around calling me the girl who wears mickey mouse shorts : ) i was a little annoyed but who really cares! plus i got a lot of compliments from girls so HA! love this site!!
I don’t let people bother me about my fashion choices (I’m one of the few people who does not wear the hollister/a&f/ae uniform) but what am I suppose to do about the people who criticize my body?
I’m naturally really thin and only have size 32A boobs, and I know I won’t get any bigger than this. You can change your clothes if you feel the need to fit in, but what does one do about the criticism and hate they receive over something they cannot change?
this is such a good article! i grew up in a small, suburban town where it is entirely usual for 5 girls to come to school wearing the same outfit on the same day. luckily, my friends totally respect all my fashion choices and even go a litle crazy themselves sometimes… it is nice to read something like this to help me stay positive (and i’m also luckily going to college in new york this year) =]