Writing Assignment 3 - One From the Heart

The writing assignment was assigned to be about anything, only guidelines were it has to be personal or come from the heart.

How to make this writing more visual "oomph" to flow the writing and bring in the audience?

The first year of middle school was my moment, the year where I was finally able to let go of the unison, monochromic uniform enforced in my previous years of schooling. I was not holding back. A beaded necklace draped over my neck, black sequin fingerless gloves fitted over my hands, finished off with a tulle proofed up skirt. I walked through hallways each day with a different outfit embodying the art of fabric that can be individualized and symbolize a progression of confidence. I remember vividly passing a table of the older kids, deemed as the popular kids during lunch period, hearing one of the eighth graders mutter to the girl near her "she is wearing a tutu". Following with a snicker.

Yet, sixth grade me glanced over and continued to walk without a second doubt to their words, with a sly smile. The clothes I put on my body gave me the confidence to acknowledge that the way I dress set myself apart from the labels and from the rest of the students, a pivotal moment, symbolizing the potential for authenticity and self-awareness to break through societal illusions related to fashion. In a span of two years, I was losing her. I was morphing into the eighth grader snickering with another 8th grader in the unison logo tees. I found myself wanting to fit in and desperate in need to be the person receiving the thumbs up in approval from others. Over time, I'm slowly working to find that sixth grader spark again. There's a story that I have recently read.

The story of "The Emperor's New Clothes" by Hans Christian Andersen resonates with the topic of fashion and how it can influence the way a person feels or acts. In the story, the Emperor is excessively concerned with his appearance and the perception of others. His obsession with new clothes reflects a desire to showcase his status and discern the loyalty and intelligence of his subjects. Similarly, in the realm of fashion, individuals often seek to express themselves, gain social approval, or assert their identity. The Emperor's decision to invest heavily in the invisible fabric mirrors the sometimes fleeting and illusory nature of fashion trends. The swindlers' ability to convince the Emperor and his officials highlights the power fashion holds in shaping perceptions and eliciting specific responses.

The characters' reactions to the non-existent clothes mirror how people might conform to societal expectations or praise trends without truly understanding or seeing their value. The fear of being seen as unfit or foolish, as seen in the minister and the officials, parallels the social pressure to conform to prevailing fashion norms. The story's resolution, where a child boldly declares the Emperor's lack of clothes, symbolizes the potential for innocence and honesty to break through societal illusions. This can be related to how, in reality, individuals who question or reject certain fashion norms may bring about a shift in collective perspectives. In essence, the potential for honesty to challenge prevailing trends and perceptions. It prompts reflection on how fashion can shape not only individual identity but also societal dynamics