For two weeks I shaved only half of my face. The left half. That's right, I only had half a beard. And you know what? For the first week no one said anything at all. And after that the only people who said something (along the lines of what the hell?) were my friends. The only people who thought to remark on the ridiculousness of a half a shaved face were people comfortable enough not to offend me. My boss didn't say anything nor did my professors or peers or the guy at the deli.

When my friend performed the same social experiment (that's what we call most things we do) he found similar results. It's not that people are choosing to remain silent, it's that they genuinely don't notice. At least for the first week they didn't when the blond on my face is passably nothing. But by the second week their double takes are obvious even if they don't say a word.

In the end it was probably a stupid experiment with distorted results and conclusions that amount to absolutely nothing. But it did make me realize one thing, playing with my facial hair is fun. Not only that but cutting my hair into steampunk mohawks is also fun and when you are outrageously weird with your personal style it feels as if you have this giant secret whenever you walk on the street. People look at your handlebar moustache and you can practically see the cogs turning in their heads as they judge the first thing they notice about you, your bright yellow polkadotted shoes or your handmade T-shirt with a T-rex on it.

Style is so silly because it carries so much connotation. If you wear birkenstocks and a pink polo you're labeled a bro, skinny jeans and a crew-neck sweater with a picture of a giant cat and you're no doubt a hipster. So why not mess with people? Why not wear something you know you'll be judged for? Distort people's senses, make them think you fall into a category and then surprise them with your individuality.

Whenever you shave do you first trim your beard into something ridiculous? Next time keep it that way for a day. It'll make you smile because why should you ever be self-conscious about how you appear to the public? They don't know you and why should they if they don't like your duck-tailed mullet?

Style is so entirely superficial that to not play around with it is a waste of a good laugh. Every day is a costume party so wear something fun and keep the sweater vest in the closet for your next job interview. Actually bring the sweater vest out, because when was the last time you saw someone wearing a sweater vest?

pull those socks up when you rock the shorts.