The American-in-Europe Complex
Have you ever walked into a room and had that overwhelming feeling of being underdressed? Like the people there effortlessly look both casual but also put together while you look down at the outfit you chose thinking, how in the hell did I ever think this looked good on me? Welcome to what I (am now going to start calling) the American-in-Europe Complex. Complex being defined as a group of different things that are linked in a close or complex way, just so you know :)
I've never been the super dressy, make-up always on, hair is perfectly coifed, type of girl. Much to my Mother's dismay, I might add. She always made sure I looked presentable and cute, but let me keep my own style and evolve within that style. She taught me the basics on hair and make-up plus all the necessities on how to dress. My Mom is glamorous; always has her make-up done, always has her hair perfect...that need and skill to create hair-dos and do make-up without making the subject look like a creepy clown, was not passed down to me. My two younger sisters followed in my Mom's footsteps and have the skill to do so. Trust me when I say most of the women in my family can make themselves look like bombshells... The same type of thing goes for clothing styles. My biological sisters have completely opposite styles. G is much more of an old fashioned, preppy, girly girl. Think Sandy from Grease, type of style. She has a very specific taste and is not afraid to tell you if it does not fit in her style. K is more laid-back. She loves Korean music and dancing so her style is more hip hop comfy. Now where do I fit in?
I don't really know... I wear work out clothes most of the time. You know what I'm talking about; leggings, ball hats, sweatshirts and tank tops. I wear workout clothes grocery shopping, class, walking the dog, the gym, etc. I do dress up, especially when T and I go on dates and to work. When I'm at home, I work out about 3-5 days a week so it makes sense for workout clothes to be a big staple in my closet. I grew up overseas, I still visit Warsaw every year to see my Dad and Step Mom. I know how Europeans dress, and how no matter where they are going workout clothes like the kind I wear and I see many people wear daily, are not acceptable attire.
The American-in-Europe Complex is my own made up term to describe the confusion that comes from trying to pack clothes that you normally wear, but would also be put-together enough that you don't stand out like a sore thumb on the streets of whatever European city you are visiting.
These are a few pictures of people in outfits that I see different derivatives of daily when I'm in Warsaw.
I've never been the super dressy, make-up always on, hair is perfectly coifed, type of girl. Much to my Mother's dismay, I might add. She always made sure I looked presentable and cute, but let me keep my own style and evolve within that style. She taught me the basics on hair and make-up plus all the necessities on how to dress. My Mom is glamorous; always has her make-up done, always has her hair perfect...that need and skill to create hair-dos and do make-up without making the subject look like a creepy clown, was not passed down to me. My two younger sisters followed in my Mom's footsteps and have the skill to do so. Trust me when I say most of the women in my family can make themselves look like bombshells... The same type of thing goes for clothing styles. My biological sisters have completely opposite styles. G is much more of an old fashioned, preppy, girly girl. Think Sandy from Grease, type of style. She has a very specific taste and is not afraid to tell you if it does not fit in her style. K is more laid-back. She loves Korean music and dancing so her style is more hip hop comfy. Now where do I fit in?
I don't really know... I wear work out clothes most of the time. You know what I'm talking about; leggings, ball hats, sweatshirts and tank tops. I wear workout clothes grocery shopping, class, walking the dog, the gym, etc. I do dress up, especially when T and I go on dates and to work. When I'm at home, I work out about 3-5 days a week so it makes sense for workout clothes to be a big staple in my closet. I grew up overseas, I still visit Warsaw every year to see my Dad and Step Mom. I know how Europeans dress, and how no matter where they are going workout clothes like the kind I wear and I see many people wear daily, are not acceptable attire.
The American-in-Europe Complex is my own made up term to describe the confusion that comes from trying to pack clothes that you normally wear, but would also be put-together enough that you don't stand out like a sore thumb on the streets of whatever European city you are visiting.
These are a few pictures of people in outfits that I see different derivatives of daily when I'm in Warsaw.
My sisters always joke around saying, "I wonder if we didn't talk, if people would think we were American." To me, it is a interesting to look at groups of people who grow up in urban environment and how their sense of style is influenced simply because they are always exposed to a much bigger group of people and they have a sense of anonymity walking down the street. After talking with my sister G, she tells me how she's noticed that fashion in our small town comes in waves almost. Like leggings and boots, skinny jeans and school tshirts, name brand workout clothes, etc.
She says, "...people are more happy being in their comfort zone style wise than experimenting with different style choices." Fashion is much different in Kansas or Oklahoma than in say, New York or California. And please don't get me wrong, I love my hometown. I enjoy the laid-back style and I am simply drawing differences between the fashion styles between urban and suburban environments.
I'm just an American girl who grew up in Warsaw and trying to live in both fashion worlds all while trying to also find my own personal style.
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