what a somatic wardrobe feels like

What if clothing were seen as tools?

The industry of fashion has created imagery about clothing that it serves the purposes of identity formation and expression, a lifelong project.

Clothing also functions as a social communicator of one’s understanding of modernity: do you know what is happening right now, or not? is the basis of trend.

Identity is not separate from the social

What is fascinating about identity is that it cannot exist without the social. This means that identity is relational, and it is relative. 

And, I develop my identity because of the reflexive process relating to the world.

Liquid Identities

Zygmunt Bauman argued that the perception of identity is shaped through consumption. This means that we buy in order to be in a constant project of identity creation and validation.

By liquid, he meant that identities are fluid, unstable, and self-constructed.Buying things does not shape identity, only the perception that it does.

Lessening the influence of identity in wardrobe

When we asked participants of our study, Clothing The Self, if they would consider switching wardobes with another person (controlling for size), merely all participants had a strongly held position: absolutely not.

Most participants felt that representing a wardrobe that doesn’t communicate their identity and values was unsettling.

How do I want to Feel?

We often ask ourselves How do I want to look? And for good reason. Television shows like, “What Not To Wear,” and “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy,” emphasize emotional healing through changing one’s wardrobe to flatter, modernize, and express societal standards of beauty.

This is not to minimize their positive attributes.

How do I want to Feel in my body?

First, referring to how you feel in your body, as opposed to how you look in it, ask yourself: How do I want to feel when I get dressed?

Clothing is a powerful material resource for feeling into our bodies, and not just projecting outwards what is in our minds, and what we want others to perceive of us.

Rummage Your Heart

Instead of the traditional wardrobe edit of rummaging closets, I am offering for you to rummage your heart.

Rummaging your heart is the center of developing a somatic wardrobe.

Mirror Detox

First, we are taking a break from the mirror. We are going inside where the eyes cannot always see. We are investigating how we feel, and tuning into a deep, radical chord of truly loving ourselves. 

Because, did you know you are enough?
You were born enough, are enough, and will always be enough.

Seeing Yourself

Laying on your back in a comfortable setting, and placing one hand on your abdomen and one on your heart. 

Breathe deep into your abdomen and say, "I am worthy of being loved. 
All the love for me."

Your intuition is your birthright.

Start clothing your body the same way you would cook a meal for your grandmother as though it were the last time you would sit with her:

With love.

And if that doesn’t work,

just remember you’re perfect and being perfect all the time is really hard.

Your wardrobe does not define you.

You are you.

Clothing does not have to be an everyday ritual for identity.

Abstain from the mirror, 
and feel how you feel.

We, the Earth, and all living things 
need humanity to love from the inside out.

Many answers are simple.