DISCLAIMER: Not an article about closet cleaning or organisation. Don’t run away just yet :p
There are people out there who look at fashion as mere clothing adorned to cover up our bodies, as is the norm. And, I often feel the need to shake some sense into these non-believers who refuse to acknowledge, exactly, how important a role fashion can play in our lives. For all the glitz and glamour it’s associated with, is but a façade to something deep and meaningful. So much so, that the development of personality has been attributed to clothing - and it’s true, our closets speak volumes about our identities.
Today’s special is all about experiencing your style from a different angle. We’re going to be digging deep into our closets to identify what fashion really means to us as individuals.
But, before that, let me have a go at explaining how it can be a powerful tool:
Fashion is so powerful that it has the ability to destroy a whole room, and its practically unstoppable coz it happens every morning, when we plan our outfits!
You can decimate your worst enemies if dressed in the right clothes!
On a more serious note though, fashion literally has the power to change your day, and if you look at the bigger picture, maybe your life!
When we put on clothes, they subtly transform us – obviously in outward appearance but also on the inside, because we tend to automatically adopt some of the characteristics associated with that particular garment. And these borrowed characteristics can change our behaviour (positively), affect our actions, decisions and it snowballs from there. In simple words, a blazer is bound to make you act a tad bit more responsible and confident, whereas a denim mini skirt could encourage a carefree nary-a-worry attitude. These little changes can and will affect the decisions we make and the things we do in the course of the day.
‘Digging deep into the closet’ will enable u to see how your style has evolved over time and what your current fashion sensibilities are. Here’s how:
Pick any 5 clothes from your cupboard at random, describe the style and ask yourself the following questions- When and where did you buy each of them? Why did you buy them? Do you still wear/like them? Would you feel bad if they got burnt/lost/torn?
You’ll find that some of the clothes may have been bought out of pure necessity – for an occasion or a new job! Some, because you wanted them – influenced by a popular trend or just a friend? And invariably one of the five will be bought on impulse, simply coz it was love at first sight!
Some cases might have involved purchase because of body types, to hide a couple of extra kilos or to flaunt a killer figure. And those very same clothes may now be worn simply because they’re your favourite or are back in trend!
This exercise could probably help you realise that your taste in fashion has changed from a bold eclectic one to a professional and formal style or from an androgynous essence to a diva personality. So, you see, fashion isn’t just clothing – no matter what critics say – it’s who you really are. So go on, find your answers do some closet meditation!
P.S: No single word or phrase can truly define your style identity, that’s not going to happen. Change is inevitable – your fashion sensibilities will grow, develop and evolve continuously – its upto you to understand who you are, and dress such that you share yourself, not hide!