It’s no secret that women dress for other women. This is partially because if we dressed for men our closets would boast an excess of low-cut tops and tight jeans (snooze), and partially because we’re bitches who like to compete (my outfit’s cooler than yours but your shoes are cooler than mine so let’s be friends).

When I tried on these navy Forever 21 High Waisted Luxe Shorts last weekend, I was seriously concerned that they were more slutty than sassy. I tried subduing them with a grey American Apparel V-Neck but still had reservations upon leaving my apartment…probs because I was headed to a house party where there’d be girls I didn’t know who’d possibly write me off as a big, big ho in response to said shorts.

As I got off the 2/3 and headed to the West Village, a random, adorably dressed girl yanked off her headphones and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Where did you get those shorts?! They’re fabulous!” Overjoyed at having the fabulousity of my shorts affirmed by a total stranger, I entered the party with newfound confidence. The shorts didn’t seem to pose a problem until I felt the glare of one well-dressed, hilarious, snarky girl who, if I flatter myself, (oy, like that’s even an “if”) reminded me of me. Rachel gave me the once-over, and stopped at the shorts.

“Are those Urban?”
“Forever 21. Urban’s a total rip-off.”
“I know! But I love these shoes.”

And there, on her feet, were the same We Who See Oxfords I’d purchased a few months ago. Well, not the exact same – hers were Gray Canvas, mine were Brown Leather, we’d both been torn over which color/material combo to buy, etc. We were insta-friends, obvs.

Maybe the shorts weren’t as risque as I thought. Maybe they were, and I was just lucky enough to be surrounded by a bunch of very cool, nonjudgmental girls who didn’t give a shit either way. Regardless, I realized that women don’t always use fashion to one-up each other – sometimes, it just helps us bond.

Has this cheese made you nauseous yet?