Taylyn McCray is a senior writing and publishing major. She’s my first interviewee on Fashion Feature for her eye-catching outfits and genuine style. This column is an conversation on how fashion correlates to self-expression as well as influences confidence.

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 “It wasn’t until the second semester of junior year that I really started expressing myself more and getting in touch with the creative side of fashion. The first semester of junior year..I was really going for the H&M mannequin-style look,” said Taylyn when asked on the early stages of her wardrobe.

Camilla: Would you say that was to fit in more?

 Definitely, It was put together based on what people would say—like, “You need this, you need one of these.”

 It was very much to appease others.

I really wouldn’t have gotten as far as I had if I didn’t throw random [redacted] together. I realized– I didn’t really want to look like an H&M mannequin. I wanted to be colorful and I wanted patterns and textures.

C: Has the changing of your fashion affected your confidence at all?

Definitely definitely, not that I was seeking external validation with it at all but that H&M era–I didn’t feel confident in it. 

Now I feel more comfortable.

I’m not always trying to fix my outfit or something like that. Or worrying what will look good to others anymore— it’s more so tuning into myself and how I want to feel and look. And that makes me so much more confident.”

C: And how would you say—spirituality-wise, how has that journey affected your outward self-expression?

My whole spiritual journey started with developing a healthy relationship with myself.

 And my self-image. And understanding what it meant to love myself and accept myself in every circumstance.

It allowed me to not fear so much going outside the box with my self-expression. It made me feel like I’m beautiful in any kind of way I decide to express myself.

C: What would you tell people who are too embarrassed to experiment with their style?

I’d say, that you know, if it’s embarrassment based on what other people think or say, people are always going to have something to say regardless.

In this lifetime and in this consciousness that we have, it’s our only chance.  And you can either choose to live that by someone else book or create your own rules and live your most authentic and happy life.

C: Do you think clothes and expression matter?

It’s important for some people and not as important for others.

To me, I think it plays a huge part in how you want to be perceived in this world.

My style and the colors and patterns I wear— I think all really relate directly to my personality. 

Fashion is very significant in my life. If, you know, I dressed like Jeff Bezos all the time—

I wouldn’t feel like Taylyn.

People wouldn’t know Taylyn.