This is my twenty-day diary of what I wear and how people react to me. This is a secret experiment. Nobody knows.

This is a photo of how I tend to dress at uni. All of he photos are enlargeable, simply click on them to enlarge.

Enjoy!

Day 1

Today the only way I dressed differently was to wear new sunglasses.

I was told it was good to see me in them and it changed the shape of my face. More girls interacted with me. Asked to join several different discussions and to tell facts.

Day 2

I tied my hair up (I never do this). I Also wore a skirt and girly shoes (I normally cycle so this doesn’t happen often).

Many people did not recognise me and had to second-glance. They commented on my long neck and my boyfriend paid more attention to my neck.

Day 3

I wore only varying tones of blue. I love colour and would not usually do this.

I was told I didn’t look my usual self and asked if I was I feeling ok (I was feeling bright and cheery). “Tuned down the look a bit didn’t you?”

Day 4

Dressed in a spotty cocktail dress and red cardigan. I also wore bright red lipstick and my hair up nicely to go shopping.

Question: “What are you dressed up for? You look very pretty! So 1950’s I love it!”

Stranger: “I’m dressing up too!”

Day 5

Wore my PJs and a big blue coat to go and get milk at 2pm.

Very strange looks, housemates thought that it was hilarious and outrageous. I didn’t think this one was that odd for a student. Whistled at by a cyclist (I think sarcastically). He was smiling.

Day 6

Circus themed pub crawl night. (Wouldn’t normally go but thought it was a great opportunity.)

I went as a clown because many people are scared of them and I knew I would get interesting reactions. I used only make up borrowed from my house mates (Social comment about masking ourselves). I thought I would keep the tension up and sit in my scariest pose.

One person kept running away and coming back because she wasn’t sure that it was really me.

I danced all night like a five year old. Many people gawped.

Day 7

Photo coming soon.

Wore a wetsuit round the house.

We had guests round and had bemused looks from them. Some of my house mates didn’t notice until one pointed me out. My explanation was that I missed my wonderful Jersey home. Confessed to my boyfriend when his suspicions were aroused.

Day 8

A housemate has a new boyfriend. I have decided to only wear my PJs when he  is in our house. Wore old red penguin PJs.

When asked why had I changed I said I needed comfort. Met him for the first time in PJs. He tried to be kind.

Day 9

Went to uni in red and green. – Very bright.

I had a tutorial with Anya and I let her know. I was told I looked like an art student and that I was obsessed with colour. Which I am.

I also put another picture of me wearing this up on facebook and asked for a caption. Here is a caption I recieved:

I’m a little strawberry
Small and Sweet
Here is my hat and here are my feet

When you see the sugar
hear me screech
‘I – am something good to eat!’

Day 10

Went to a gothic rock club filled with leather coated darkness figures wearing the brightest outfit I could muster. (I forgot my camera, this is a friend’s photo.)

Danced all night on stage. I had a couple of comments and lots of gawping: “Why don’t you dress like the music if you like it so much?” and “Yay, colour girl!”

I tried on someone’s cheap black trilby and then they left the club without me noticing. I stayed till the end but they were not there to claim the hat. I will wear it tomorrow.

Day 11

Wore the cheap black trilby had with a red and black polka scarf around it and green trousers and a black polka dot top.

At Uni I had many male compliments, many of the girls around them were standoffish. Went into the union bar for a cup of tea and stopped a table full of men from speaking who then invited me to sit with them. I had many glares from the two girls on the table. (Don’t normally speak to these men.)

Day 12

Wore all black.

Had a tutorial with Mike, told him what I was doing. Now Anya, Mike and Steve know.

The comments I received today were:

“You need more colour.” “You’re a sexy goth.” “Has someone died?”

Day 13

Have got a 24 hour bug thats going round. Bed and Orange PJs for me.

I was told that I looked ill and to go to bed and that I looked rough.

Day 14

Feeling much better but still a little cold so thought I would work with this. Wore two hats to uni.

Nobody commented but some of the distant girls were more friendly.

Day 15

Wore the cheap black trilby again to go shopping with a pirate style top and waistcoat.

Went to the Electric Gypsy in Exeter where I sell button earrings. (Vintage shop) They noticed that I wasn’t wearing what I usually wore and congratulated me on my hat choice.

Day 16

It is a very hot outside. I wore nine necklaces of fine plastic over a very colourful outfit.

I rattled when I walked.

“I love the jewellery, are you sure you didn’t want to be a fashion student?”

Day 17

Still wearing PJs around housemate’s boyfriend.

He saw me in University for the first time and commented that I was actually wearing clothes. It is so much fun, as soon as I hear he is coming round I swiftly change into my PJs.

Day 18

Wore a yellow knitted jumper that I bought from a jumble sale for 20p with pearls jeans, curly hair and a retro belt.

“You look quirky cool.” “Only you could make a Grandma top look good.” “Different but intriguing.”

Day 19

Did a lot of baking this morning and ‘accidentally’ left my apron on top of my clothes as I went into town.

Had strange looks, and was called chef all day at home.

Day 20

Wore an illuminous pink and white polka tutu with rainbow shoes, black leggings and a polka top. I had sewn on buttons that I had painted with glow in the dark paint and was glowing most of the evening as it had been a particularly sunny day.

“You are funny.” “I wish I could wear something like that and get away with it.”