Scrolling through my YouTube recommended I came across videos talking about "SPRING/SUMMER/FALL/WINTER WARDROBE ESSENTIALS" and clothes you "NEED TO HAVE" for the upcoming season.
While I really do enjoy watching those and seeing what others classify as must-haves, it got me thinking, do they even exist?
Subjective.
See this photo above?
Yeah, it’s just a random one I found when googling closet staples, and I bet you we can all find a piece (or even more than one) that we dislike.
We all have our preferences when it comes to clothes and it should not be expected, nor is it even possible, for everyone to agree on liking the same pieces.
While some may find a simple white T-shirt to be the base of most of their outfits, some don’t even consider reaching for it while getting dressed for the day.
We find differences in not only our preferences but our bodies and comfort too, and just because they are wearing the same clothes, doesn’t mean people will feel the same.
Pressure to buy.
Suddenly seeing a bag, coat, or sweater all around you, and hearing everyone talk about it, creates a certain desire that was possibly not even present a few months ago. It breeds a necessity.
The problem with manufactured want is its root, which may not be planted in the right place.
We start thinking we need a piece to fit in, whether it’s into an aesthetic or a group of friends - doesn’t matter. The item is now seen as a missing "something", and once we have it, everything’s going to fall into place.
Trends change.
At the end of the day, constant shifts in fashion and trends are inevitable and mindfulness while picking which ones to follow is key to getting away from overconsumption and buying items you know you won’t gravitate towards in a couple of months.
Times and times again we see trendy things being considered a must-have. 10 years ago skinny jeans were considered as one by some, and you may find the same people now claiming they wouldn’t be caught dead in them - so how are they a must?
Must only for that season I suppose.
Loss of individuality.
If all of our closets become filled with so-called essentials, a uniqueness every one of us has gets lost and buried under piles of clothes.
Gathering information about fashion and making it our own is the beauty of it.
Everyone needs a leather jacket? Ok, but make it your own, buy it in your preferred style so you know you’ll wear it no matter what is considered in the next few years.
Getting dressed should be fun and a way to express yourself. There is no formula on what works or what you need to have in order to complete a look.
We can all agree influences and inspiration are important, but so is staying true to your own likes and preferences, and we should keep that in mind when deciding what to wear.
Thank you so much for reading!
I have been so busy with university the last couple of months, I am going on an exchange and had to take care of a lot of things before I leave. Anyone reading this from Berlin lol? See you in 2 weeks :)
That’s why this was maybe shorter than usual, and not groundbreaking at all, but I needed something to get me back into writing lol
What are your thoughts on this topic, let me know in the comments:)