fashion & me.
First things first, I am not a fashion designer nor a model. I am, however, a contributor to the fashion industry; as a customer. Overconsumption is my middle name. I am your best friend when it comes to being a victim to great marketing because I will be convinced to buy that bag not because I need it but because you told me I need it. Fashion to me has always been a blur because is it fashion or is it style? Growing up, fashion was never my forte. I always did not know how to dress or what type of outfit fits best for me. All I wanted was to be the most fashionable person in the room as I thought that was the way to stand out. As an adult, I have come to realize that my desire to utilize fashion as a stage stems from a deep-seated craving for attention during my adolescent years up till I went to college.
When I began earning my own money, we all know what followed— I splurged. I bought every piece of clothing I wanted. Too many clothes yet nothing to wear. Too many over-the-top outfit not enough staple. To give myself credit, that was also when I was experimenting; an expensive experiment, indeed. Reflecting on past choices, it’s clear that embracing financial wisdom earlier could have made a significant difference. I wished younger me would heed to my mum’s advice in prioritizing saving over frequent spending on clothes because it not only builds a stronger financial foundation but also encourages mindful consumption. These clothes no longer define me and I really could have dedicated the money elsewhere for something that has a return of investment. I priced every item at $1—it was a wake-up call. The clothes didn’t cost $1 each, but the total was still high.
Shelf and table with folded cardigans and a man sitting outside on a stone bench.
Photo by: Mei Hwa Wong
My relationship with fashion has truly changed over the years as I am moving away from being fashionable but more towards being stylish. I realized that I do not need to keep up with trends to express myself. The world of social media as we know convinced us that we need that ‘outfit of the day’ worthy shot. But in reality, that was merely a cotton candy stage built by yourself for the raindrops. The tough questions I asked myself were; did that beautiful shot I spent hours taking and uploading it on social media actually helped me earn any money? Did those number of likes put food on the table? Asking myself these questions helps me pause and realign my intentions before reaching for the new arrivals. I still do splurge from time to time but only on timeless pieces.
Embracing repeated outfits is a smart and sustainable approach to fashion. By brainstorming creative styling ideas, I could unlock the potential of each piece in my wardrobe, transforming them into versatile looks that feel fresh every time. Experiment with layering, mixing accessories, and combining textures to keep your outfits dynamic and uniquely yours - my new affordable experiment. Over time, this practice has helped me nurture a mindful relationship with clothing, balancing style, practicality, and environmental consciousness.
I still love the fashion industry deeply, but my connection to it has evolved over time. It’s no longer just a glamorous stage or fleeting trend for me; instead, it has become an integral and meaningful part of my everyday life. This shift in perspective sparked my curiosity about the inner workings of fashion and led me to wonder how analytics can help the fashion industry thrive and can there truly be a world where fashion does not harm the Earth?
