Being true to oneself is not always consistent with prevailing social norms.
Being true to oneself is not always consistent with prevailing social norms. When you are a kind of underdog in the community, as if your personality was worn inside out in relation to everyone else, when you pride yourself on individuality and don’t do things just to please others, when you obey your most honest self, it’s only natural that unpopularity fits you like a cut-out bathing suit, the kind that no one understands but that look amazing. Because when popularity is synonymous with a lack of freedom of expression, then it's better to keep showing off the inside labels, sitting up not that straight, going into the water fully clothed and wearing oversized hats that make everyone's head spin. Unapologetically. Incidentally, when you're that non-conformist, it's unavoidable to collect a few sideway glances. Save them all; one day you can even build a house with a view. To the sea. Photography by Kaj Jefferies. Styling by Phoebe Lettice Thompson.

Translated from the original on The [Un]Popular Issue, published July 2023.Full stories and credits on the print issue.
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