It's nicer with a meaning.
Let’s start with a game, continue with an extended discourse, and wrap up with a recipe for some flavours for your fashion.
How many special stories can you tell about your clothes and accessories? The ones which go beyond “I got it from X”. Something along the lines of “So I’ve been to this concert/country… and...”
From once being a concept , consumerism is now a lifestyle, mentality and culture. We prioritise practicality over spirituality when buying things. And while I don’t advocate for worship, I encourage a little bit more consciousness.
We may have stacks of T-shirts and rows of jewelry which are silently waiting until we finally remember their existence. We may have sweaters to keep our bodies warm. But not our souls.
How often do you take the time to reflect on the meaning of the things you own? (Okay-okay, we are not talking about a toothbrush or a lamp here… Let’s limit it to items connected to fashion). Do you ever think about the memories, value, stories behind what you wear? Do you ever notice your feelings?
Taking off the hypocrite mask, I admit that not every item of mine bears a deep meaning, of course, but I can still boast some of the must-haves: a “lucky” blouse; earrings to feel like Holly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Christmas socks; a favourite dress which I’ll never wear on a bad day. The list goes on, but the message is: I always try to think about what my things mean to me.
That “always” once reached a climax. It was an impactful conversation with a girl passionate about the environment and self-consciousness. Her approach was to have only those pieces of clothes which she wears at least every four weeks. What is more and even cooler, she can tell a story of everything she has. Yes, that kind of story. “This is a jacket which I got from my friend when I was leaving my country, and we exchanged them. She has mine.” Isn’t it nice to let an item embrace you with warm-hearted memories?
Let me guess what your answer would be: “Of course it is, but should I not get a coat from, say, Zara just because the only story I can tell about it is “Fitting room. Seller. Cash”?!”, – which is a legitimate point!
No, of course not, remember: I don’t advocate for worship, but I encourage a little bit more consciousness. Knowing what you own and why you own it helps you tune your thoughts in the desired direction. Consciously drawing the necessary emotions from stuff helps you achieve the necessary mindset. It’s the placebo effect which comes into the game: intentionally wearing your lucky sweater to succeed on the exam, your friend’s jacket to keep you up on a tough day, a ∞-shape bracelet to remind yourself of eternity.
Today, mindfulness is more important than ever, because it helps you notice and feel the energy of your intimate surroundings and be self-aware of yourself in relation to physical things you interact with. Because they have an impact on you. A Northwestern study even came up with a concept of "enclothed cognition" – the systematic influence that clothes have on the wearer's psychological processes.
So how do I get influenced positively then?
Well, we can be very radical and adopt the philosophy of asceticism, in which you refrain from indulging into satisfying all your “wanties” and are highly conscious about your possessions. But that is too radical.
We can be less radical and practice some meditations with our jewelry or clothes by holding them in your hands, saying affirmations like “This ring helps me attract positive energy (and that guy I saw in Mansueto),” and immersing yourself into a deep reflection or gratitude. And that’s cool, no? If not, here is an approach which I think could help anyone spice up the seemingly unsocial items. Or put more flavours into them, as promised at the beginning of the article.
You definitely already have things of a particular value for you. Try to remind yourself at what trip, or from which person, or which summer you got them. Cherish yourself with that memory.
For coats from ZARA category (nothing personal), think of how the clothes/jewelry makes you feel. Maybe the blue jeans get you in the “weekday” mood, or the golden necklace turns you into a royal ready to study some art history?
Don’t look for meaning, create meaning. you really can use any item to tune up for a particular feeling. “From now on, I will feel more like Steve Jobs in my black jumper. And I will ace my CS midterm”.
Because the stuff does project its energy and meaning on you. Most of the time we are not aware of it. But it doesn’t mean it’s not there. You just gotta taste it. And if it’s not delicious enough, feel free to spice it up and put more flavours into it.
Amend recipe according to your cup of tea,
Bon appetit.
