A Guide to Main Character Energy
Main character energy continues to take TikTok by storm months after it first started trending. What began as a call to “romanticize” your everyday life, turned into a creative way to reclaim your routine after months in lockdown. If you’ve been feeling like a passive observer of life, or like things are happening to you rather than for you, main character dressing may present a technique to reframe your thinking. You’re the protagonist in your own life, after all.
It is especially useful as a tool for people pleasers or those of us who often forego our own wants for those of others.
Use it wisely, don’t forget that everyone else’s life and emotions are just as complex as your own.
Dressing up as a different character might be what you need to get through the day. Whether you’re heading home for a family event, fronting up to a dreaded high school reunion, trying to channel enough borrowed confidence to overcome your social anxiety for a few hours at a party, or just enjoying a day at home. Discover some of our favourite confidence-boosting archetypes below.
The It Girl
If evading paparazzi is all in a day’s work, (or you wish it was) then you might be an It girl. You model your wardrobe after the golden age of Alexa Chung and Suki Waterhouse. Fashion is important to you and you love it when someone notices the effort you’ve put into your outfit. Quirky pieces like knit dresses in bold prints, or bright seasonal colours can turn heads and draw envy, even if you’re only being the It girl for a day. Do your fashion icons justice with trending accessories like a handbag.
I'm With The Band
Celebrity stalking is your extreme sport, especially if they’re a musician. Dressing like you’re besties with the band is all about go-to accessories (like a signature pair of sunnies) and versatile pieces that can fit in a suitcase while you follow your favourite artist around on tour. Slouchy fits in warm colours hint that you’re a bit more indie than the others and can list off the demos that are yet to be released.
I’m In The Band
Give off a sense of mystery and intrigue like only a musician can by maintaining your signature style while matching slightly with your closest friends, especially on a night out. Keep colours dark and stormy, with vintage accents throughout. Thrills graphic tees are made to look like they were worn and discarded by a famous musician in the 90s. Play with androgynous shapes like slacks and oversized tees.
She Was A Sk8er Girl, She Said See Ya L8er Girl
Whether you sk8 or not is besides the point. But borrowing the confidence of a regular of the half pipe is all you really need to conquer the day. A mini fit tee paired with a mini skirt or a pair of baggy pants will nail the look. A crossbody bag will signal that you’re most at home at the top of a vert ramp. Channel the confidence to drop in (to any situation) with an outfit worthy of the skate park.
The Fitness Freak
If your love of fitness is beginning to substitute for a personality, or maybe you just need to make fitness your personality for a gruelling gym session, activewear is the way to go. Head-to-toe P.E. Nation screams “lycra is my second language” or “I love long, low-intensity coastal walks with my leggings on and my puffer hoodie up.”
The One That Needs To Pass An Exam
If you are in danger of flunking most heinously tomorrow, look no further. Channel a most excellent adventure à la Bill and Ted with relaxed cord shorts,overshirt and crew neck jumpers that will take you from band practice to time travelling to the exam hall in no time. Just like the outfit that you’ve had on repeat for days, a little bit of dumb luck can go a long way. Plus, you never know when the call to adventure will sound.
