[Trend inspirations] A pick of personalities
by Guest Beanie
W–Two Worlds
By liquidsoap
There’s something manipulative about the way you can influence what people think of you just through wearing specific pieces of clothing. Fashion at its best is about self-expression and making yourself feel more comfortable, but it’s usually yet another layer between your true self and your perceived self. You can use it to cover up how terrible your day was or how little you have it together. Bad break-up? Wear a romantic, frilly dress. Impostor syndrome acting up again? Grab the most no-nonsense shirt you can find. Dead inside? Dark colors are the enemy.
I’m Not a Robot
I’m a coward by nature, so naturally my style belongs to a woman way more confident than I am. Which means that I don’t really get dressed, but put on a costume. And since I can’t get away with cosplaying favorite self-assured characters on a daily basis, I sometimes buy items that remind me of them. In a way, it’s like a vampiric ritual – sucking out personality traits I admire by raiding fictional wardrobes. Or like summoning a ghost of a friend to keep you from losing your cool.
In the past, I found comfort in carrying a yellow umbrella, wearing a black hoodie inspired by a mentally-ill American hacker, or putting on a green-and-silver striped scarf. Nowadays, if I buy something that otherwise isn’t really my “style,” it’s almost always drama-related.
I think part of the thrill is in how low-key the clothes themselves are — only I know what I’m referencing (and that I’m referencing something in the first place). To everyone else in the world, this is just a red-and-white blouse. Inside, I’m preparing for the robot uprising.
Are You Human Too
You might think nothing of my green jacket, but to me, it symbolizes overcoming the lasting struggles of student life. Every elegant blouse I own is supposedly helping me emulate the frighteningly competent/evil female second lead at work. They’re all my good-luck charms (which is how adults refer to things that make them feel like they’re cuddling with their favorite stuffed animal).
Obviously, I don’t have the kind of money that would allow me to buy the real deal, so I don’t think I’m somehow losing myself by incorporating “foreign” elements into my personal style. Referencing dramas with my choices definitely forces me to experiment with patterns and style, and to take myself a little less seriously. Ultimately, the clothes are special because the characters resonated with me, so I’m hoping some of the bravado stays with me even after I change into my pajamas after a long day.
Anyway, I’m currently trying to find a way to stop myself from buying yet another coat just because they make me feel like I’m a hard-working heroine in the middle of her character arc. Sorry, Hong Seol!
Cheese in the Trap
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1 RenOIshi
September 24, 2018 at 9:37 PM
Haha an interesting read for sure! I hope in the midst of all of these cosplays, you get to find your true true self. Great write up!
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2 Mimu
September 24, 2018 at 10:01 PM
@vivanesca Congratulations on getting published.
It was an interesting read. I love how you're getting inspired by Korean drama clothing trends and incorporating dresses in your regular life.
I love your style.❤️❤️
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3 suk
September 24, 2018 at 10:35 PM
Good read @vivanesca! I hope that by trying different kdrama styles, you can start to find your own style that you can really feel yourself in.
Also, I love the cover picture for this post. A pick of personalities: Do I want to be like the gun or the bra??
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Flightey Gazelles
September 25, 2018 at 6:41 AM
Me too! Love the first pic. Certainly click-worthy.
Great article
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4 mugyuljoie is preciousss
September 24, 2018 at 11:30 PM
@vivanesca Thanks for the thought provoking article. I like that you're borrowing personality traits along with the clothing but maybe you're just coaxing out something you already have. I never think of you as a coward.
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Rukia wants melona
September 25, 2018 at 10:07 AM
Like times 50
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5 Waadmay
September 25, 2018 at 12:39 AM
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6 Waadmay
September 25, 2018 at 12:41 AM
@vivanesca first congrats on being published🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
And secondly I agree with what @ndlessjoie said and I can't express better than what was said , and I love you with all your character traits 😊💙💙💙
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7 Giegie
September 25, 2018 at 1:02 AM
That robot uprising though 😂
What a fun piece! Congratulations, LS!
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Flightey Gazelles
September 25, 2018 at 6:44 AM
I haven't watched AYHT but Seo Kang Joon looks positively robot like in that screencap, down to the slight lip curl/pout and hair. I'm guessing that's the robot alter ego
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8 LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
September 25, 2018 at 1:23 AM
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9 LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
September 25, 2018 at 1:24 AM
Big congrats on getting published! This piece made me smile.
Although we all know that when you dress like your girlfriend, it's not the robot "uprising" you're preparing for...
I hope you own a wardrobe homage to ducking tiger - and if you don't I'm just going to pretend you do.
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10 🍃noobita🍃
September 25, 2018 at 1:36 AM
Love this article , liquidsoap!🌸💐✨😆
I’m a coward by nature...
Well, I feel weird reading that coming from you, because you're one of the bravest Beanies, that's the vibe I got from you and I mean that in a good way, of course. I got this mental image your daily wear is titanium suit/ corset and drive a bulldozer.😎
p/s: Re: yellow umbrella; reminds me of Eun-suh from Autumn in My heart, lol😂
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11 Cloggie
September 25, 2018 at 2:13 AM
Loved your piece @vivanesca!
Especially what you said about 'only I know what I’m referencing' rang a bell with me. As a fellow kdrama watcher in a part of the world where this really isn't mainstream, I absolutely recognise that feeling. Maybe not just in terms of what I'm wearing (or what I'm eating) but also when something makes me laugh which only fellow-kdrama addicts would understand.
Thanks for sharing!
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12 Ally
September 25, 2018 at 5:32 AM
Great writing! And a very original POV! Rather than emulating an entire wardrobe, I’m more likely to pick out accessories and pops of color too. Eun Tak’s red scarf 🧣would have been the last thing I remember acquiring due to a drama though. But for me it’s more about remembering a favorite scene when I wear it, and how that makes me feel rather than infusing a character’s trait into my daily life—although summoning Gong Yoo would be a hella cool trait to have! And I think that you’re more you than you think—unless being a badass female who makes no apologies for who she is is all an act—because that’s who I see when I read your writing.
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Ally
September 25, 2018 at 9:53 AM
@vivanesca, did you consider this “enough” of a compliment?😉
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13 egads aka Dame Maggie
September 25, 2018 at 5:44 AM
What a great read! I might be the only one that knows when I wear black jeans, a black jacket, and slap a black cap on my head that I'm channeling the physical confidence of an errand boy, or if I instead wear some kick ass short boots and a great coat I am summoning the determination of a sassy female lead, but I know. And, if I were to pass you on the street and see your red and white blouse we would nod knowingly at each other.
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14 saturtledaisy
September 25, 2018 at 6:22 AM
Great piece!
The best part about drawing wardrobe inspiration from your favourite characters is indeed the hidden reference, which also just makes me just that bit happier to see and wear that piece of clothing, because I am reminded of their strength and/or kindness.
I also hope to at least subconsciously be strengthened and maybe emulate some of their more desirable character traits... even just a little!
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15 greenfields
September 25, 2018 at 6:22 AM
What a fun read @vivanesca! ^^; I love what your outfits mean to you. You've given a whole new meaning to the word "fashion" today.
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16 Rukia wants melona
September 25, 2018 at 10:03 AM
I love, love, love this essay, @vivanesca!
I especially enjoyed when you said that you appreciate the hidden message.
I'm someone who
lurkswatches others, so I would love to see these hidden references.I got so inspired by your essay that I just went and bought myself a big soft pushy coat. I don't go out and buy things like this. It's crazy...
This coat won't make me feel like an amazing heroine, but in much the same way, it will be like wearing a warm hug.
Thank you for your lovely wit and playful spirit. I'm inspired! 💗
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Rukia wants melona
September 25, 2018 at 10:04 AM
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Rukia wants melona
September 25, 2018 at 10:05 AM
*plushy. Like a very soft stuffed animal. (dang spellchecker... Grrr.)
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17 bam 🐢🐌💖~
September 25, 2018 at 11:06 AM
Love your piece, @vivanesca! I do a similar thing, with words. When I’m in an uncomfortable situation, or don’t know what to say, or just want to, I have a tendency to say seemingly innocuous things - giving me a boost as I remember that it’s a simple phrase said by one of my favorite characters.
Also, I’m wearing my hair in a crown braid today. Calling my inner Leia-on-Endor. Fake it til you become it, right?
*dons a striped, knit jumper*
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18 Beverly
September 25, 2018 at 6:02 PM
This is really great.
Love the idea of using certain pieces to channel what you need that day and that it is your secret.
When I need to get sh!t done I wonder what I could steal from Ji an's wardrobe?
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19 Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
September 25, 2018 at 8:24 PM
This was great LS ~ congrats on getting published!
https://78.media.tumblr.com/5a40129ab8bdb9e3c16b6c36c6c4a031/tumblr_ovmvymtDrY1w9hbslo3_r1_500.gif
I know I went through a phase where I was trying to be more attractive, so I went full on soft colors and floral flowy skirts like the male lead's unattainable first crush who ends up breaking his heart by being nice but marrying someone else, or the female lead after her makeover. Now that I think about it, I guess I had a lot of subconscious subtext in those clothes (that's probably why I can't get myself to wear them anymore).
I feel like getting dressed is always an exercise in what character you want to play that day. Especially since my job requires a uniform, I way overthink the few times a week I need to leave the house in anything else.
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20 ravennightstar
September 26, 2018 at 1:14 AM
Eep just saw this! I never scroll down enough to read these articles. Thank god I did today!
This was an awesome read LS! Everyone's already said everything I would've said but I'll just add- like you, I can never get enough of Hong Seol's wardrobe. Clothes actresses wear are a hit or miss for me but Hong Seol's fall wardrobe was to die for. Just her coats collection is ❤❤❤
And agreeing with most, I never thought of you as a coward! But I'm glad that clothes worn by strong female characters bring out your bravery!
This was a great read! 💕
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21 Cori
September 26, 2018 at 2:29 AM
That was a great read, @vivanesca! I'm not very confident myself, so I really love the idea of outfits inspired by your favorite characters giving you that extra boost to let those personality traits shine through 😊
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22 pickledplumtree
October 8, 2018 at 6:42 PM
Haha I loved this! Your perspective is very interesting and seems very unique to me too. I think many people who consider themselves shy or lowkey (I'm saying that instead of "coward") dress more lowkey. It's cool that you do the opposite!
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