Most of us like to believe that we aren’t judgmental; that we view the world with open eyes, an open mind and an open heart. But I think, at least to some degree, we are all judgmental…
THE STORY
Perhaps it is less a matter of being judgmental and more a matter of being opinionated. I have never and will never judge/form an opinion about someone based on things such as sexual or gender orientation, disability, race or their place on the socioeconomic ladder. I do not judge based upon how someone chooses to live their life assuming they aren’t harming others due to their choices.
I don’t judge according to how someone chooses to dress, but I do however form very strong opinions based on what a person is wearing. I’ve said it before, although it might not be nice, what we choose to wear does give others a clue as to who we are. That’s why getting dressed really is so important. For example, if I see someone out in the world I often think, “Why in the hell are you wearing dirty pajamas, or any pajamas really, out in public?” Or “Is it really necessary to be wearing shorts that are so short I can see the bottom of your ass cheeks?” Obviously I keep those thoughts to myself, but is it judgment or opinion? It’s a fine line.
If a person is opinionated and possesses the fortitude to speak up and speak out, I often admire that. But if the opinions are overwhelmingly offensive to a large segment of human beings, I find it repugnant. In my mind I determine that individual is perhaps not a good person.
In the past I have never passed judgment upon someone for their political affiliation. Democrat, Republican, Independent…whatever. I could care less. I myself have been known to vote outside of my party depending on who the better choice is. This year though, I have found myself getting “judgey” in regard to politics; it’s hard not to be when the candidates are so polarizing. Case in point…right before school was out the car I parked next to in the teacher lot had a bumper sticker touting their choice in the upcoming election. The car belonged to someone I really don’t know all that well, but I immediately formed a negative opinion in my head. It’s now permanently cemented there. While I rationally realize that the individual in question might be a fabulous human being, I can’t help making a snap judgment. Again, is it judgement or simply my opinion?
Do our opinions or judgments of others really matter if we keep them in our heads and don’t speak them out loud? Probably not. I struggle with the term “judgmental” because it has such a negative connotation, while being “opinionated” is a positive when viewed in the right light. I think the terms are probably interchangeable. And I think that to be judgmental or opinionated is simply part of the human condition; forming opinions is just one facet of our critical thinking skills.
THE OUTFIT
I did go back to JCPenney to fetch these camo soft pants. A few weeks ago I picked them up in olive and I also have them in black. They don’t carry them online and were out of the size I needed in-store so I got a size larger since I loved them so much. This pair is actually a bit too big so I’m going to attempt to shrink them a bit in the dryer. Sometimes that works out, sometimes not so much…we shall see. My first instinct was to pair them with pink as camo and pink is one of my favorite combos; something about the feminine/masculine juxtaposition I guess. Since I had paired the olive pair with pink I didn’t want to be redundant and instead went with my sheer boho top which is also definitely a girly-girl top. Keeping with the masculine on the bottom, feminine on the top theme, I finished it with my peep toe ankle boots and lariat and tassel necklaces.
THE TIP
Don’t let the size tags on clothing play mind games with you. Let what fits and what looks good determine what you wear, not a size on a tag. I almost always size up in pants because I like a looser fit. I know how big I am; I’m not going to let a piece of cardboard attached to my clothes bully me into thinking otherwise.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Pants: JCPenney (Similar); Top: Forever 21 (Similar); Boots: Three Bird Nest (Similar)
