I’m guilty of believing that ‘You are what you wear.’ Some of the clothes that I have are quite hideous in appearance but I wear them because the popular people and stylish people wear these clothes, because of that you feel inclined to do the same. For example, a pair of jeans I’ve got ,which cost £95, look like farmers jeans with knee pads!

Without knowing it myself, I’m always judging people by what they’re wearing. I find myself thinking ‘oh my God’ when I see somebody wearing Umbro or Reebok trainers or Gap jeans. Also, I’m always looking at other people’s clothes and if they are smart or a good ‘brand’ of clothing or shoes, I end up wishing I had their clothes.

Some ‘branded’ clothes are actually quite uncomfortable, Some less desirable brands are actually quite comfortable but as they’re not recognised as stylish, people choose not to wear the more comfortable clothes. You go through the pain of skinned heels to be fashionable, such as with hard plastics shoes but have a popular brand. You buy the clothing for the ‘name’, no more. For example some clothes i.e. a school top from George, ASDA, looks exactly the same as one from Top Shop but some people will buy the Top Shop jersey because it is recognised as a better brand, even though it is probably five times the price.

I always wonder who started this craze of wearing what a select group of people have chosen to wear and not to be too adventurous, as to blend into the crowd, instead you put your head down, and hope not to be called names or bullied. It’s always somebody who’s self confident who colours their hair a bright colour or wears different clothes. Self-Conscious people, like myself, just try to blend in with the crowd, hope not to be spotted by the bullies or arrogant people, who just love putting other people down.

I think that being self- conscious has stemmed from my body size. Even in primary school I have always tried to keep my head down to avoid being bullied. Most people who are slim are able to eat as much as they like of what they like , not exercise very much and do not become overweight . But some larger people exercise daily ,eat a healthy diet but remain large. Even although you are making an effort to become slim you stay larger than average and get criticized because your body puts on weight easily. Same with spots, Some lucky people eat fatty foods and chocolate all day but never even get a blemish while others(personal experience!!) eat a cereal bar and get spots from it!