Throughout my childhood, my mornings had always followed a predictable routine. Part of this routine was my school uniform. The stiff pleats of my plaid skirt and the buttons on my polo shirt were constants in my life.

 It was like a safety net, sparing me from decision-making and ensuring I conformed with my classmates. When I started college, I could no longer rely on pre-approved attire to blend in with everyone else.

 Searching my closet for school-appropriate clothes was not an easy task. Wearing a uniform for most of the day, many of my regular clothes were either for going out or lounging, neither of which gave the impression I wanted to make. 

 I found myself asking friends who went to public school for advice, but I got mixed responses. One gave me a simple answer: athleisure. Ultimately, I decided this was perfect. I was going to embrace this new attire 

Once I came to Kent, I did see students wearing athleisure, but I saw a lot more than that, too. All across campus, there was a grand variety of styles that put my old way of thinking to shame. 

Seeing so many people embrace unique styles on campus was eye-opening, as it was the polar opposite of what I’ve seen my whole life. Individuality was embraced, not muted. 

In an article in Elle, actress Cara Santana explained why she showcases her individuality through fashion. 

“Style is the easiest way to communicate how you feel and who you are without speaking,” Santana said. 

Standing out from the crowd, especially through fashion, was an extremely nerve-wracking thought. Even my school’s special “dress down” days made me anxious. I would stay up overanalyzing what to wear to school, because how often do I have to decide that?  

Starkly contrasting with my fears, I found diversity in style to be celebrated on campus. I could see how people poured their individuality into how they presented themselves. Suddenly, I felt both at ease and excited for this new chapter in my life. 

An article by WebMD shares the cons of wearing uniforms, one of which is stifling creativity. While I always appreciated my old uniforms, this newfound freedom allowed me to channel creativity in a way I never had before. 

Even though I loved my time wearing plaid skirts and button-down shirts, getting dressed each morning is now not just simple, but my favorite part of the day. While some days I long for the simplicity gifted by uniforms, watching myself and those around me embrace stylistic individuality is empowering and exciting.