Three Things Happen When You Get Dressed
Three things happen when you’re trying on clothing. I’ve observed this in every closet I’ve been in. It’s about trying on pieces that you own, worn familiarly, or styled in a new way together, or with new potential purchases mixed in:
You put something on, and it works for you. There’s a sliding scale of what it means to “work,” which also depends on your preferences and the moment in which you’re trying it on. You can love it instantaneously on one end of the spectrum while being pleased with it on another. The pleased approach is sometimes undervalued when getting dressed.
You put something on it, and it’s a hard no. Not you, got to take it off immediately. This is absurd; this is entertainingly laughable. Nada. No. Get it off! Filed into the “no” folder for the next time you see something of the liking.
You put something on, and you pause. You’re looking in the mirror, and you’re uncertain of what to think. Part of you is curious enough to keep looking at yourself in the mirror. It surprises you; it’s unexpected, it’s intriguing. This isn’t something utterly outside of the box, but it’s nudged you just beyond your wardrobe whereabouts while still ensuring that you’re close enough to jump back into the comfort should you need to.
Number three is where you cultivate your personal style.
What matters is the context for where you’ll wear that outfit. And your willingness to discover yourself a little more within that context through the clothing that made you pause when you put it on.
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