Color Explosion
My mom told me my grandmother would turn over in her grave if she knew I was only wearing black. Because for her, it wasn’t a choice; it was all she had. Yet here I am, just a year after a “color explosion” in my closet, embracing all-black everything. And it’s made my life so much easier. I actually dress better than I ever have before, and I’ve never felt more free to explore fashion.
For a long time, I was stuck. I’d impulse-buy clothes I could never match, spending a really long time to get ready, only to feel frustrated. I wanted to update my wardrobe, but I didn’t know where to begin. I had so many clothes with sentimental value, things I’d bought but never worn, and dresses my mom loved but I personally hated. I didn’t realize at the time that I was stuck in a fashion version of myself that I’d created decades before.
A New Beginning
My style reboot came from a simple necessity. I started a new job with an early start time, which meant I had to be out of the house by 6 AM. There was no time to waste trying to get creative with my wardrobe. I decided to simplify my life, and my closet was the first place to start.
My goal was to find professional, neutral, and comfortable clothes that I could easily match. Inspired by the stereotype of the artist in black and the beautiful styling on American Horror Story: Coven, I started collecting inspiration. I looked to three women who I admired:
Victoria Beckham
Her fashion seemed to fit the professional work look I was trying to find. She was an original Spice Girl, and now she designs such beautiful collections.
My 10 Year Anniversary Collection is available in store and also on my website! https://t.co/TApLUCDrdB xx VB #VBSince08 pic.twitter.com/7cQfdN6wvY
— Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) September 20, 2018
Gwen Stefani
She is cool and has been a style icon to me since I was 12. She represents the rebellious side of me that I wanted to keep alive.
Thank u Hong Kong !!! 2019 gx pic.twitter.com/jkUFExTK7v
— Gwen Stefani (@gwenstefani) April 6, 2019
Breaking Free
As I shopped for more black clothes, I found myself drawn to items in fabrics and styles I had never considered before. I had spent years telling myself that certain clothes “weren’t me”; too goth, too simple, too classy, too masculine, too feminine. But now that my only parameter was that the clothes had to be black, I gave myself permission to explore, experiment, and take risks.
It felt so good. I didn’t realize how much I needed this liberation from following constantly changing fashion trends. I now feel free to just buy whatever I like, without worrying about how long I’ll be able to wear it. My wardrobe isn’t about one specific stereotype; it’s an all-encompassing black aesthetic. It’s business attire, sportswear, comfort, and everything in between. It’s a way to express myself through different silhouettes and textures without the limitations of color.
Freedom
My all-black wardrobe isn’t just about simplicity; it’s about freedom. It’s a way to express myself through different silhouettes and textures without the limitations of color. I have found a style that suits me now, a style that feels both put-together and confident. And for me, that’s everything.
