The pants were the perfect combination of one of my favorite colors (purple) and my second favorite clothing material (leather). They were high-waisted and had an aura to them that declared, “I’ll make you look so Sandy at the end of ‘Grease’ that, like the beloved Olivia Newton-John portrayal, you’ll be a changed woman as soon as you put me on.”

How could I argue? Sandy looked killer at the end of “Grease.” The pants totally knew how to prey on my weaknesses, and I somehow admired them even more for it.

Sure enough, I decided to try them on, and before I could whip out a cigarette and proclaim, “Tell me about it, stud,” I wiggled into the leathery goodness and stared back at my reflection.

They were fit to absolute perfection, and I couldn’t help but fantasize about all the glamorous places I could wear them. School! Work! Parties with sticky floors and poor lighting! The possibilities were truly endless.

Yet, somewhere in the midst of daydreaming and mentally serenading my newest fashion find with “You’re the One That I Want,” a heinous thought crept into my unsuspecting mind. Were these pants too bold for my personal style?

I was a girl fond of denim shirts and Audrey-inspired flouncy dresses. I wore a rose-gold watch on a daily basis and believed pearls to be heaven’s gift to womankind. Did purple leather pants really suit my personal style, or were they too daring?

After nearly making the rash decision to dejectedly put the pants back on the rack and opt instead for a more typical lacy skirt or striped top, I had a total “‘I see,’ said the blind man” realization: The idea that the pants were “too bold” for my style was remarkably silly. I was not a strong cup of coffee from the local Starbucks. I required no warning sign telling unsuspecting caffeine lovers this particular tall glass of Caffè Americano was bolder than the average brew.

Therein lies the absolute beauty and uniqueness that is fashion. There is no such thing as being “too bold” in fashion. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. Boldness is a concept honored and celebrated in the fashion world, and rightfully so.

It’s these bold streaks of fashion courage that help to evolve and expand our own personal styles. Style itself isn’t a caged animal; it isn’t meant to be confined, and it’s certainly not meant to be an undeviating factor in our lives. If it ran by those standards, I would still be sporting plaid jumpers and Mary Janes on a daily basis — and let it be known that this is simply not a good look for any female over the age of 12.

My purple leather pants made me feel like I could practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu one minute and work a Milan runway the next, and I almost turned away from them because I wasn’t sure if they suited what I perceived my current personal style to be. Yet personal style is just that: personal. You have the power to alter it, refine it and allow it to grow in whichever direction you so choose.

Let’s be honest. That’s kind of rad.

So if you ever find yourself asking, “Is it too bold, too daring, too un-me?” then the answer is always a resounding “No.” It’s only too bold, too daring or too un-you if you allow it to be.

If that faux-fur vest helps you channel your inner wilderness gal, wear it. If that statement necklace mentally transports you to an evening at the Ritz, clasp it. If those dangerously high-waisted, acid wash jeans make you look like you just sprouted supermodel legs, work them.

This semester, I dare you to be bold in your fashion choices. This column is about helping you do exactly that, with, of course, the inevitable swooning over the latest trends and some inserted bits of my own fashion tomfoolery included.

I dare you to be a Sandy at the end of “Grease.” Don’t question it, stud. Buy the purple leather pants.