Philosophical fashion accessorizing- The power of positive thinking.
Most people don't really think about what they are wearing; they just put it on in the morning and go about their day
While looking in the mirror while dressing do you ever find yourself wondering, “why do I feel so... meh?” We've all been there. After all, fashion isn't just about buying and wearing clothes; it's about how those clothes make you feel about yourself. Coco Chanel famously said “Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside." But how should we clothe our interior attitudes? If you want to get the most out of your wardrobe, it helps to have a guiding principle to work from.
Most people don't really think about what they are wearing; they just put it on in the morning and go about their day. I've always been more conscious of my clothes, but I never thought much about the why behind them until I read The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Neville Goddard and As A Man Thinketh by James Allen.
Neville Goddard influenced the New Thought Movement in America in the 1940s by lecturing on the power of positive thinking. His most notable book is entitled Creative Mind. James Allen, in his most influential work Poverty to Power wrote that “poverty does not come from want of material wealth but from want of mental wealth.” And when it comes down to it, our thoughts, our attitudes, our mental wealth are inextricably entwined with what we wear. What if you applied your knowledge of how things work—or don't work—to your job as a stylist or designer? What would happen if you thought about style and design through the lens of what influences people?
One of the most popular ways to do this is by looking at trends for inspiration. When making decisions about what pieces you want to incorporate into your collections or wear as an individual, ask questions like How does this make me feel?, What does my gut tell me? What does my intuition say? By helping synching your interior to your exterior, these questions help determine whether something will be a successful addition to your collection and for you.
Everything around me became alive with meaning and symbolism because I applied these thoughts to my everyday life. What does this mean for fashion? What if we were all thinking consciously about our clothing choices? We change our thoughts, moods, and behaviors as we wear certain colors or patterns. This is one of the reasons I pick my outfits each morning, based on my mood. Whenever I chose outfits the day before, I never stick with those choices, as they do not represent my feelings the following day.
How will this change the way you shop for clothes?
We spend so much time thinking about the food we eat, where it comes from, how healthy it is. We spend plenty of time on the places we visit—where they are, how they look, why they are special to us. But what about our clothes? And what if you took the time to think about what you were wearing, who made it, where the fabric came from, or why you are wearing it? You would have more respect for clothes yourself. A fashion designer doesn't just make clothing—they make art. A stylist doesn't just put together outfits—they create their own look with many elements in mind. When we buy something new, we should not only be thinking, does this look good? but also Does this feel good? Do I want to wear this tomorrow? Do I need anything else to wear with it? Is there another outfit that can replace this one? Is there an outfit I already have that will match these shoes better than this one? Am I dressing my age today or am I dressing too young or too old for my age group and stage in life?
How will this change the way you style others?
You can't control what happens to you but you can control how you react to it. So if you want to change anything in your life, you need to change what you're telling yourself on a day-to-day basis. There are so many things that we say and do every day that contribute to our mental health, and there are ways that we can be kinder to ourselves by changing how we see the world around us. It is important to take care of oneself mentally as well as physically because without them both we will not have a very fulfilling life. Fashion isn’t everything, but when it comes down to it, our thoughts, attitudes and mental wealth are inextricably entwined with what we wear.
- Vera
P.S. Is there something on your mind… a burning question about fashion, sustainability, happiness, mindset, or consumer behavior? Reply to this email; I might answer you in an upcoming newsletter.