The red dress

Anna walked down the street, her step light but determined, when a shop window completely caught her attention. A dress, draped over a mannequin, sent her a promise of elegance. It was a red dress, smooth, fitted, with a neckline barely suggested, but enough to make it seem like the perfect mix of sensuality and sophistication. Anna paused for a moment, drawn to the dress, but immediately a doubt crept in: "This dress is very sexy, my husband certainly won't be happy if I wear it without him... better leave it here."

Anyway, with a sigh, she headed towards the entrance of the store. "The red dress isn't for me, but I'm sure I'll find something that suits my style here," she thought, stepping inside, ready to get lost among the hangers. Her hands brushed against a gray silk shirt, a pair of straight jeans, and then her gaze landed on an olive green sweater, soft and cozy. "Perfect," she thought. "I'll wear it when I talk to my son's teachers. Not too fancy, but still cute and comfortable."

Then her eyes landed on a pair of black pants, with a fit that was too tight. Anna looked at them for a moment, the thought that crossed her mind was instantaneous: "Marco, our department colleague, will again make me uncomfortable by staring at my backside the whole time. Better avoid it." She shook her head, smiling to herself. "Not the right choice."

Finally, her gaze stopped on a suit: black cigarette pants and a jacket with an impeccable cut. Elegant, but not too much. Powerful, but not ostentatious. "Perfect for work," she thought, "and also for a dinner with my husband, a quiet night out as a couple, without seeming too provocative." In her mind, part of her approved while another part felt the weight of the choice. That red dress wouldn’t let her be at peace. She didn’t realize she wasn’t choosing based on her true desire. Clothing, as always, was not just about personal style, but also about conventions, about expectations. It wasn’t just about what she liked, but about what was right, how she wanted to be perceived by others.

Yes, behind every choice, there’s always a small voice suggesting what is right and what is not. Anna had never given it much deeper thought: Is personal style really that personal? Or is it simply the result of a social influence deeper than we are willing to admit?

Anna is no different from you. Every day, we choose our clothing not only to express who we are, but to adapt to the social contexts around us. A choice that seems innocent, but in reality is guided by unwritten rules and expectations.

If you're interested in discovering why we’re never as original as we think, I invite you to read the article I recently wrote, where I explore the psychology behind our clothing choices and how fashion is a language we all speak, but in ways we don’t always realize.

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