Embracing Individuality through Fashion with Anthony Taylor
Embracing Individuality through Fashion with Anthony Taylor
By: Molly Roberts
Conformity is a prominent theme for fashion in the South. Men especially have little room to express individuality or originality. The southern man’s uniform is traditional, simple, and filled with basics. If you look in the average Southerner’s closet you will find t-shirts, jeans, activewear shorts, and tennis shoes. Some do not choose to step outside of this uniform but the ones so are jutting in their individuality. Anthony Taylor, a Mississippi native and student at the University of Alabama, is no stranger to causing southern discomfort through his style.
If you peek in Taylor’s closet you would discover an array of platform sneakers, colorful sweaters, leather boots, jewelry, and crossbody bags. Taylor’s favorite pieces from his closet include a thrifted Dior sweater, thrifted Z Cavaricci jeans, and his family hand-me-downs.
“I like to integrate pieces that are special to me, such as this vintage leather jacket I received from my grandfather he received when he was enlisted for the Vietnam war,” says Taylor.
As with many other Gen-Z children, Taylor began to discover his interest in fashion on Tumblr in 2013. He started a blog on the platform and reached up to 30,000 followers with his fashion and lifestyle content.
“In my time of consuming a large amount of media on Tumblr my blog began to lean towards fashion and lifestyle, often posting outfit photos and recapping fashion shows like the various fashion weeks of the year came to their respective ends. I was infatuated with the history of many of these large fashion houses and through my research, I gained a greater appreciation for the time and effort that went into these shows and their pieces.”
What makes Taylor stand out in his style is his lack of conformity to traditional men’s clothing. Taylor enjoys all the aspects of fashion despite any labels they may carry.
“I often indulge in trends that are typically considered ‘feminine,’ such as brands like Golden Goose or wearing things like flare pants, short-length tops, and large platform sneakers.”
For many, not dressing with the herd can be an uncomfortable thought. A lot of people appreciate and respect Taylor's individual style. However, there are times when Taylor’s style makes people uncomfortable because it does not fit into a traditional Southern men’s style. When it comes to feeling out of place, Taylor has maintained a good outlook on what it means to stand out.
“Honestly, I don’t feel super out of place when I wear the outfits I do. I am extremely comfortable in my own skin and style and do not seek a sense of place when I put them together in the first place. I usually find myself being complimented more than I am critiqued by my peers and that provides a sense of comfort for sure. Still, I have had my share of comments that have shown discomfort on other people’s part.”
As with every individual, style should be about representing your sense of self and your identity. Fashion is more than an outlet to fit in, it is an outlet for self-expression. Taylor has found comfort in his style and gained self-confidence through dressing the way he wants to dress.
“When it comes to standing out, I love it. I find a lot of value in individuality and if everyone is expressing themselves in a way that is special to them then I would expect everyone to stand out in their day-to-day lives. But, I think individual style is something that I take pride in.”
Keep up with Anthony Taylor by following him on Instagram @nthonytaylor and read more fashion-related articles on www.umsquaremagazine.com/fashion
Follow @um.squaremagazine on Instagram for daily fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content.
Images by Anthony Taylor
