[FuzzieAlum]

I'm not sure it's possible to set your own standard or do your own thing. We don't live in vacuums. Every decision you make is made against a backdrop of knowing what your parents think, what your friends think, what is shown on television, if your boss will look at you funny ... even if you say, "I don't care," you're still aware of it in making your decision.

If you're "not conforming," you're conforming just as much as a conformist. Go to a goth club some weekend in a plaid shirt and baseball cap and see what happens! And after you get out of the hospital, don't try it again.

In truth, clothes don't reveal anything about who you are - unless you are homeless and only get dumpster rags. They reveal who you are TRYING to project at that moment. You're trying to be professional at a job interview or a hippie at a Phish concert. Who you are is not your clothes; it's your personality and how you treat other people. Nothing about my integrity is compromised by conforming in terms of dress, unless it has a slogan on it contrary to my beliefs.

I'm not saying no individuality is possible. But non-conformity is only valuable when the dominant paradigm is harmful and ought to be challenged. If you have foot pain and can't wear high heels, for goodness sake don't. If you don't like Nike's labor practices, buy Adidas. But in everything else, buying a little conformity opens so many more doors to you. Save your statements for real statements, not for the clothes you wear and the music you buy.