A Wren Says

Before my trip to Copenhagen, I spent time trying to figure out what the locals wore. I wanted to know how I could choose the right clothes to properly blend in, as best as I could being a tourist. The articles I found suggested neutrals and sneakers. Bright colors would be so odd and make you stand out against the Scandinavian sensibility. I took the advice and packed accordingly. Grey and brown and black went into my suitcase, and mild yellow and green sneaked in just in case.

Here’s the thing. When I arrived and started walking around the city, I saw leopard print, and orange hair, and bright patterned skirts. People were wearing whatever they wanted. Why wasn’t I? The hotel was selling a pair of sunglasses that caught my eye. I splurged, part fashion impulse, part necessary solace from the blinding sun. It was a sunny yellow pair. Not black, nowhere neutral, and it certainly couldn’t escape being seen. I put them on, a bright spot in my largely black outfit. I left out for the day, fully aware that I had made a choice that would register as different. I felt shy about standing out and being noticed, but I continued emboldened by my new metaphorical brighter outlook on the world. Regardless of how I may be perceived, I choose the lenses through which I see myself.