fashion as therapy
not to be confused with retail therapy...
I’ve been thinking about the concept of fashion as therapy. Love it or hate it, clothing is sometimes the first form of communication we have with the world around us. It’s both sensory and expressive, where an itchy fabric can ruin your day but the right people seeing a good outfit can leave you feeling like euphoric.
Cultivating my personal style happens to be a special interest of mine (read: obsession) so naturally I find myself pondering and reconstructing my wardrobe (and identity) more often than the average person.
This time around feels different though. I’m now officially passed that magical age of 25 where it’s all supposed to come together. Armed with an ever evolving understanding of myself, I have naturally been feeling the urge to purge (my wardrobe that is).
I recently discovered the concept of creating personal style themes on TikTok from creators @myinternetcousin and @alberta.rose and of course decided I had to create my own!
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I love how Evelyn describes the intentionality behind setting themes rather than adjectives to describe your style and how much more meaningful and mindful it feels to build out a complete philosophy, meaning and attitude behind what you wear.
So these are my style themes currently:
boy repellent - the baggier the better, comfort is key, great for my sensory issues, fends off any unwanted attention plus there’s something so effortlessly cool about wearing a full oversized fit
stemme fatale - dark femininity with a masc touch, tailored but sexy, perfect for nights out or more formal occasions
rockstar’s daughter - ngl this is 100% inspired by Zoe Kravitz style, it’s effortless, edgy and unexpected all in one, this one is definitely all about the energy and attitude
big city fashion student - inspired by going back to fashion school for my masters and my love of gossip girl, think: D.I.Y outfit customisations, preppy touches and big city individuality
Check out my Pinterest board for the visuals: https://pin.it/29jUQjN
These style philosophies feel like the first time I’ve truly expressed myself in a way that feels true to who I am and all the aspects of my personality, identity and comfort. I feel like this video from Zelue on Instagram does a really great job of expressing the idea of un-masking your style once you discover more about yourself (especially if you’re neurodivergent)!
The whole process of getting dressed in the morning and feeling affirmed when I look in the mirror has honestly been one of the most healing experiences I’ve had in a long time.
Do you have a philosophy for your personal style? How do you feel about fashion as therapy? I’d love to hear what you think! x