I’m sad that no one likes my outfits in Dress to Impress

Dress to impress, a Roblox game, has a premise that is almost too perfect.

Players have five minutes to run around and dress up a character according to a theme. At the end of that time, everyone in the lobby holds a fashion show and votes on their favorite look. I just ran into one problem: no one likes the outfits I make.

I approached the game as an opportunity to create dramatic outfits that would make a statement. You know, those outfits that you think are really cool but would be too scared to actually wear? That’s what I wanted to create in Dress to impress.

I paired an umbrella-style skirt with a feather crown to give the outfit an extreme, almost X-shaped silhouette, evoking the goddess Aphrodite for a Greek mythology theme. For a “school trip” theme, I tried to style a classic look with a black and white gingham skirt, chunky sneakers, and a layered shirt.

But I never won.

I think in some rounds people (or just didn’t vote). Once, the only male character won a “going to sleep” theme by wearing cargo shorts and a black shirt. But it wasn’t just trolls. My vision and everyone else’s tastes just didn’t mesh. Round after round, I tried and failed. And while I could write off the other players as young people with “basic” tastes defined by the Instagram algorithm and the clothing racks at the mall, my frustration points to the coolest part of the game.

Dress to Impress fills its sleek, modern shelves with pieces from different fashion traditions, such as American streetwear, Lolita and Harajuku, as well as classic boho and preppy looks. In a world of monolithic, algorithm-moderated trends and fast fashion, Dress to Impress offers youngsters a place to play with new types of looks. It welcomes both kids who think oversized sweaters are the height of fashion and digital designers skilled enough to create the next outfit for a Bratz Monster High doll.

Fashion — both virtual and physical — is very personal and diverse. It’s not just about being trendy, it’s about making a statement with what you wear. What I gravitate toward may not be what others prefer. Dress to Impress is a wild place where a diversity of tastes plays out in real time with thousands of players every day.

Although I regret that no one appreciates my appearance, I am happy with the style I have found.