On the tube home from an afternoon of Regent Street shopping, my eyes begin to well up, and a smile naturally beams at the family opposite me. A grandmother is softly singing to her baby grandson, who is warmly stealing glances at me. She was singing “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, the song played at my grandma’s funeral earlier this year. My gaze naturally shifts down at my yellow linen top, which is fastened by my lucky accessory… my grandma Lucia’s brooch (her name written in cursive gold and encrusted with a pearl) – think Carrie Bradshaw’s cherished and signature ‘Carrie’ necklace.
I gave new life to this brooch when my mum and I each chose a piece out of my grandma’s jewelry box to wear to her funeral. I chose the ‘Lucia’ pin and attached it to the chain of my bag. Ever since, I’ve found a way to style it as both a functional and subtle accessory; the perfect fix for a gaping open top, a scarf embellishment, or perhaps a fun addition on my handbag. This inherited accessory quietly adorns my outfits, adding a personal flair and conversation starter to everyday clothes.
These are the items we tend to keep concealed and are only admired from a jewellery box when we are feeling sentimental. Being creative with small accessories, like my grandma’s brooch, adds depth to what you wear, whether decorative or functional. Dig out that personal item with sentimental value and style it up – your treasure is worth the wear. My grandma would love to know that her brooch travelled with me to Rome over the summer instead of being hidden and dormant inside the jewellery box walls.
Direct and Indirect Forms of Personalization in Style
Personalizing your outfit will certainly allow you to feel more connected to what you wear. Personal style may be considered shallow to some and not worth attention, but this is a subjective interpretation of fashion. To many, it is an art form that allows you to experience emotions, feel nostalgic, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others. Outfits incorporating accessories allow us to interpret other people’s choices – have they been strategic and personal? Do their fashion choices represent something about them and their life? What are they telling the world about themselves through their physicality? Even the most non-strategic outfit tells a story – fashion is not something they deem necessary. Still, perhaps they can be perceived through other personal touches, such as laptop stickers or threadbare wristbands. Individual items like this may also be classified as fashion and style. You can always find something attached to someone that tells a story– even if the wearer is unaware of this observable fact. It could even be the paper map hanging out of your jean pocket, creating a narrative of being someone who appreciates tactile experiences in a hyper-digital world.
There may be two forms of personalization in style: direct and indirect. My grandma’s brooch would be an example of direct personalization, as it boldly hints at meaning. In comparison, it is not evident that my Gucci bag holds meaning; therefore, it is an example of indirect personalization.
Take, for example, my vintage Gucci Horsebit tote bag. To some, this worn Gucci monogram print may be interpreted as tacky and loud. Instead, this bag represents something special to me. Guccio Gucci worked as a porter at the Savoy in London, and, inspired by the luxury luggage, he created his fashion house upon his return to Florence. Gucci’s strong ties to Florence and the Savoy are resonant with me. I spent a semester abroad in Florence and fell in love with the city, subsequently working in the Savoy and developing a deep interest in the hotel’s aristocratic history. My Gucci tote is therefore a token of nostalgia for that chapter in my life. When I wear this vintage piece, I am reminded of my stories through the designer; this would be an example of what I would coin as an indirect form of personalization in style. It only needs to make sense to you, even if it comes at the expense of appearing tacky. When I see Gucci, I am transported to Florence and the Savoy.
Without a conversation, you may never know the reason for someone’s fashion piece choices, but there is beauty in guessing as a people watcher from a coffee shop window. What is a fashion piece that feels authentic to your experiences? Is it direct or indirect?