The Evolution of My Wardrobe

I fell under the spell of the fashion industry before I learned to think for myself. Decisions regarding my wardrobe were made in conference rooms in big cities and I knew no other way. I flipped through magazines to get answers on how I should dress, what size I should be, and where I should shop if I wanted to be whatever it was that I was trying to be. Should, should, should. Chasing after this shadow of perfection made me happy. I couldn't explain why but a shirt with a moose (shoutout to Abercrombie) was more valuable than a shirt without one. It just was. It was quantity of quality and a fascination towards whooz-its and whatz-its galore - all while being thirteen and living on an allowance. What's absolutely poisonous about 2017 is the sheer number of media outlets offering these two cents on fashion. Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, and the list goes on! At least back in my day I had to spend money at a bookstore to find propaganda. Of course, good things have come out of the new-media. Exposure to styles from all around the world, backlash towards unhealthy models, a trend towards capsule wardrobes... just to name a few. Anyways, I think I was 18 when I started thrift shopping. This new hobby allowed me to explore fashion that didn't make it onto the mannequins in the store windows that season. It was quite liberating - trends weren't shoved down my throat and I wasn't incentivized to buy things that would later be buried and forever hidden in my closet. I also want to emphasize how environmentally-friendly it is to shop secondhand. 13 million tons of clothing end up in landfills every year, and this number/report just looks at the United States. Thrift shopping is a great way to counter fast-fashion and the hazardous chemicals emitted in the production process, while still enjoying "new" clothes in your wardrobe.

As per my new aspiration towards minimalism (and my upcoming move), I have been donating some of my clothes to charity. Going from shopaholic to minimalism isn't easy and I still have a lot (and I mean A LOT) of clothes to go through, but I hope to share with you some essentials I love. As I start a section about my wardrobe on Naoadays, I want to emphasize that these are merely what I like to wear and what suits my body type. They are by no means meant to be advice (how ironic would that be after I rambled on about capitalism and consumerism). If anything, I hope it inspires you to find your own style, wear less of what society hand-picks for us, and be more eco-friendly!