I am a fashionista, there’s no questioning or merely considering. I plan my outfits in advance by the week, and I dress up for class every day. My style is a huge part of my self-expression, since it conveys who I am as a person and brings me lots of joy. I also have an excessive amount of clothing that I try to wear all of. I brought my entire wardrobe into my tiny dorm, and it has definitely been an experience. I even have clothes in my desk drawers. So, did I learn anything? Was there a lesson to be learned?
Sometimes Less is more
I make an effort to wear every single piece of clothing that I own. If I don’t wear it or if I don’t know how to style something, I don’t need it. The problem is─because I appreciate all of my pieces, I have a hard time getting rid of them. Most of my clothes have a sentimental aspect to them, even if they don’t fit me anymore. Because of this, I don’t allow myself to buy more clothes, especially thrifting since I buy more stuff at the thrift. I simply don’t have enough space for new things and I am satisfied with what I own. Being fulfilled with what you own is extremely freeing. I don’t feel that deep desire or yearning when I’m in a mall or seeing clothing advertised to me. This is an emotional mindset that comes from within, you can’t get to that point simply by continuing to shop. What I have learned is that personal style─for me at least─is more about what you can do with the pieces you own rather than the pieces themselves. So, no; ordering that “perfect” closet addition will not improve your style.Â
the emotional aspect
As stated, I place a lot of sentimental value on much of my wardrobe. I could tell you when and where I got most of my pieces. I realized I felt an emotional need to bring all of my clothes with me, instead of purposes to having outfit options for me to wear. They bring comfort and security to me. The most important aspect of my emotional wellbeing is to be self-aware. I have become very distraught in the past when I’ve lost or broken a piece of jewelry or clothing. Getting dressed every morning, and putting on my dozens of rings, necklaces, shirts, etc., is soothing and ritualistic for me and helps me start my day off right. I could be having a bad day, but I feel better when I’m put together and expressing myself. Planning my outfits in advance helps maintain order in my life and I am more organized as a result, and the benefits are reaped in other aspects of my life as well.
a creative outlet
I have always been a creative person. I have enjoyed creative writing, drawing, painting, jewelry making, and other crafts my entire life. I need some sort of creative outlet to feel like myself. Unfortunately, I do not have the time or space to craft in college or when I’m working, but my electric style gives me a healthy creative outlet that I can exercise daily. I can experiment with different silhouettes, textures, patterns, colors, and take artistic risks every day. When I need to follow a dress code, such as for work or a themed night, my imaginative muscles are stretched even more as constraints inspire creativity.
The space issue
The big challenge I face at school is the lack of space I have for all my items. My clothing and accessories take up a significant amount of space in my tiny dorm. I had to buy a standing rack, keep my jewelry on and in my desk, hang my belts on the wall, keep clothes in the drawers of my desk, and I have separate plastic bins and drawers underneath my bed. It can be hard to keep my dorm from being a cluttered mess. An unorganized dorm means I feel unorganized. As much as I try to wear everything I own, I physically cannot wear all of my clothes within a semester, or even a school year. Unfortunately, there are some clothes I will be leaving at home next semester.Â
I do not regret bringing my entire closet to school, despite my small dorm being a cluttered mess most of the time, but I certainly learned a lesson. I will have to do some planning before next semester about which clothes I should leave at home, and how I can cope with having fewer “comfort items” around.
Can’t get enough of HC UMass Amherst? Be sure to follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Spotify, like us on Facebook, and read our latest Tweets!