Fashion as a Form of Embodiment
Dress up is more than just play
I don’t follow trends, I turn heads. Not because my fashion is performative, but because it is an authentic expression of who I am. For many, playing dress up is merely a childhood memory; a form of imaginative play where you could be anything; a “gymnast”, a “doctor”, or a “mother”. For me, getting dressed is a ritual, an opportunity to channel my inner child, a vehicle for full expression, and an art form.
What I wear is a second skin that is essential to my embodiment. An outfit can be a reflection of how I want to feel, a way to conceptualize a version of me that needs to feel seen, a ceremonial garment for a ritual, or a way to playfully take up space.
When I walk into my closet to get dressed I often ask myself any number of the following questions, “How do I want to feel? What version of me am I portraying? What would a goddess wear? Hmm, I wonder what would happen if I wore this?” I’m here in this form for a short time, and fashion is a way for me to live out loud and be fully present with my human experience.
change your outfit…Change your mood
Fashion is a simple and effective way to completely change how you’re feeling. Here’s a personal anecdote as an example. A few months back I was having a really rough morning, a “crying in the closet” kind of morning where the world was just too loud and I couldn’t regulate myself properly.
As I’m lying on my closet floor, feeling helpless, I decided to do something about it and journal. Journaling led me to the realization that EVERYTHING IS PERMEABLE, meaning that there is a fluidity inherent in our existence that lies in our own self-perceptions. Whatever I perceive myself to be will influence how I behave, which will influence how I’m perceived by others and how they treat me. So if I perceive myself to be the embodiment of joy, then I will dress like joy, smell like joy, sound like joy, move like joy, feel like joy, and act like joy. And people will see me and think, “wow, she’s so joyful!” and they’ll respond with reciprocated joy, which will anchor me in my self-perception that I am the embodiment of joy.
This realization was so powerful that I immediately went into my closet and said, “what would joy wear?” I realize that it was the journaling that allowed the shift to occur, but I didn’t actually feel like joy until I put on my “joy” outfit. Once I changed my clothes I became joy!
Since then, outfit changes are one of my go-to emotional regulation tools in my self-care toolkit. I’ve expanded it to include accessories and makeup as well, because they take less time and are just as impactful. Putting on a favorite piece of jewelry or a bright shade of lipstick is a great way to shake up a funk and boost your mood (check out the ACCESSORIES ARE EVERYTHING section in the side panel to go deeper down the accessories rabbit hole.)
Styling your many selves
This is a concept we are all familiar with and have likely used at least once. Anytime you have “dressed the part”, you are styling one of your many selves. Perhaps you wore a suit to a job interview, allowing the desirable professional inside of you to shine through. Or maybe you got all dolled up in something flashy for a night on the town, showing off the fun-loving free spirit within. We all have many selves inside of us, some we are well acquainted with and others we may keep hidden. Fashion is a wonderful way to bring these parts of you to life and let them be seen by the world.
I recently realized that I have a whole council of women in my head that I’m checking in with daily. At least one of them is in charge at all times, but they are all integral aspects of me working together. If you read my last blog post on Cyclical Living, you’ve already been introduced to them. Each woman represents a different part of my menstrual cycle, and each one is inherently different with her own agenda, personality traits, and style.
When my inner winter woman is in charge, I notice that I’m more intuitive and I crave stillness and solitude. She is the shaman, the wise woman, and the oracle. She wraps herself in red, adorns herself with a special red jeweled pendant, and drapes herself in luscious ritualistic robes that are comfortable and sacred.
In stark contrast, my inner spring maiden self is sprightly, playful, and performative. She is the nymph, the toddler, and the party planner. She likes to change her outfits often, so there’s really no telling what she’ll end up wearing. Frequently she’s caught prancing around in crop tops, booty shorts, silly jewelry, and a fun hat.
As my cycle unfolds, a burst of productivity kicks in, guided by my inner summer woman—the embodiment of my ovulating self—ensuring that the goals I'm striving for come to fruition. She is the superwoman, the CEO, and the queen. She commands the room with smart blazers, palazzos, gobs of flashy jewelry, and the occasional headdress.
Lastly, my autumn self serves as a guardian, aiding me in seeing my blind spots and ensuring everyone else sees their blindspots too (sometimes I have to rein her in). This is the moment in my cycle where I often feel the need to retreat, because I experience sensory overload and everything is just a bit too noisy, smelly, bright, and generally overwhelming. She is the warrior, the inner critic, and the shadow self. She doesn’t like her clothes to touch her, nothing fits quite right, and she has something negative to say about everything she puts on, so appeasing her with fashion is a difficult task. She generally likes to wear a kaftan and that’s it. On a day when she feels especially empowered, she might decide to wear a necklace that radiates strength and significance.
These represent a few facets of myself that I bring to life with threads and adornments. While I might not consistently adopt their style every day, I do make it a practice to honor these aspects by dressing in their likeness for at least one day within each phase of my cycle. This ritual aids me in connecting with these profound layers of myself, contributing to a sense of completeness, embodiment, and authenticity.
Reverent regalia
Communities across the globe have, throughout history, deeply embraced the practice of adorning sacred regalia to imbue their rituals with a heightened sense of significance and reverence. In many cases, the regalia itself transforms into a living language, communicating intricate narratives and symbolism while creating a deeper connection between the wearer and a higher power. Each piece may carry a unique story or embody the essence of a celebrated deity. In this way, when one ritualizes their daily doings with sacred finery, they enter a transcendent state, becoming a conduit through which cosmic energy flows.
I zhuzh up my daily life with rituals accented with special attire as a way to honor both my humanity and divinity. With a multitude of rituals that punctuate my daily life, each with its own unique purpose and potency, I find a sense of joy, playfulness, and intentionality when I wear specific garments during these moments. When I glam out for ritualistic purposes, I’m not only bringing pizzazz to the mundane, I’m channeling my highest self.
Much like a bride commemorates her wedding with a gown, I celebrate cleaning my house with a special robe. In doing this, the chore of cleaning my home is instantly transformed into a blessed ritual that I am delighted to partake in, and it somehow elevates my role in the sacred cleansing of my space. When facilitating Temple of the Goddess Moon Circles, an important part of my preparation involves a trip to my closet where I connect with the essence of the goddess I will be honoring during the circle. This occurs after I’ve spent many hours reading mythological stories about her, researching ancient practices honoring her, meditating with her, and planning the unfolding of the circle. Upon entering my closet, I often ask, “what would [insert goddess’s name here] wear?” Typically I receive an answer immediately and instantly know exactly what to wear. Another sacred journey I accentuate with regalia is Align with your Vibe. As a space holder, I find that what I wear is a reflection of the container I am creating. Similar to the ecstatic dance set or the soundbath within Align with your Vibe, my outfit serves as a crucial element contributing to the overall essence of the evening. I feel I am most aligned with my vibe, and thus connected to source, when my clothes elevate my humanity in diverse ways, bringing intention, reverence, and a little charisma to each experience.
Fashion in full force
It’s taken me years to get here. I am committed to showing up with ferocity and zeal everyday, regardless of other people’s opinions or judgments. I dress to stand out, because I’m a bright being who’s done dimming her light. Plus, adopting a curious approach to adornments is such a fun and playful way to spice up an otherwise drab existence. At this point in my life I say, “why not?” I’m here now and now is all there is, to my knowledge, so…
HERE I AM NOW!
Taking this kind of approach to getting dressed also means that I can walk into my closet at any moment and treat it like a boutique. All that is required is some playful experimentation and it can completely transform your clothes!
So, here are some OUTSIDE-THE-BOX TIPS for breathing new life into your closet:
TIP 1: Try toying around with wearing shirts backwards or upside down. You’d be surprised how versatile your tops are when you wear them different directions.
TIP 2: Rather than getting rid of leggings that have that strange saggy crotch feeling, try cutting them above the knee and turning them into shorts. A bonus here is that you can then use the bottom part of the leggings as leg/arm warmers.
TIP 3: Speaking of leg/arm warmers…Don’t throw out those panty hose that no longer fit, simply cut the feet and panties out and voila, you’ve created a brand new pair of leg/arm warmers for free! In some cases, you can also wear the leftover panty part over some booty shorts for a sexy lacy layering effect.
TIP 4: This one definitely requires a playful lens, but what have you got to lose, right? Some shirts lend themselves to being worn as skirts or dresses. For example, a cute dress can easily be fashioned by buttoning two dress shirts together and wrapping them around your body in an interesting way. It’s also possible to create a skirt out of wrap shirts or cardigans; basically any top that is designed to be tied around the top part of your body can be tied anywhere around your body with an inquiring mind and a little finagling.
At this point you might be thinking, “If I go out in public wearing a shirt as a skirt, people are going to think I’m weird.” While there is a real possibility that people will look at you and think you’re weird, the way I see it is…if someone is going to criticize your fashion decisions when you’ve boldly made the choice to be innovative, then that says more about their ability to be open minded, than it does about how normal you are. Is it “weird” to wear a shirt as a skirt, or is it just unexpected and different from what society says is “normal”? Every single one of us is unique, which means that you are different from everyone else. If that means that you’re weird, then doesn’t it mean that being weird is actually the norm, since it’s normal for everyone to be different? So be weird and different! You already are!
What I wear is my way of being honest about who I am. What you see on the outside is merely a bubbling over of something that can no longer be contained on the inside. Delighting in the grandiosity of this existence is how I choose to live. I don’t know how long I’ll be in this body, but I know I’ll be bold as long as I’m breathing. So, my attire is not just a collection of fabrics and accessories; it is a manifesto, a living testament to the philosophy that life is too short to be anything but genuine, bold, and vibrant. In the tapestry of existence, I am both the muse and the artist, and what I wear is my masterpiece.
Thank you for witnessing my art in its many facets.
I pledge to witness you, and all of your beautiful complexities, as we continue down this spiraling journey together. May this blog post inspire you to live full throttle in your form, with fervor and gumption, from your center, and as a whole being.
In Shadow and Light,
Clare
If you know someone who feels aligned with the themes discussed in this blog post, please feel free to pass it along to them.
A spark needs both flint and steel to catch fire.
May you share your spark with whomever is open to receiving it.
upcoming journeys
If the information in this blog post inspires you, check out my other offerings!
ROOTED IN ANCIENT PRACTICES
DRIVEN BY DIVINE ARCHETYPES
WRAPPED IN RADICAL AUTHENTICITY
SPARKED MY OWN HEALING
Akitu Festival: Invoking Inanna
Thursday / 3.7.24 / Treegarden
Temple Opens 6:45PM
Circle 7PM
This March, in a sacred gathering under a dark moon, we will embrace the spirit of Inanna, the ancient Sumerian goddess — an embodiment of divine sensuality, a fierce warrior deity, and a powerful symbol of the cyclical dance of life, death, and rebirth.
Gather with other goddesses for an evening of
tea, rituals, chanting, dancing, sound healing,
affirmations, journaling, talking, and listening.
Bring a journal/writing utensil, a drum or noisemaker, something comfortable to sit on (we'll sit in circle on the floor), an altar offering for Inanna that represents a part of you that is ready to be reborn, an open mind, and an open heart.
“I am grounded in my complexities, and I fully embrace all the intricacies that make me who I am, especially the weird ones.”
ACCESSORIES ARE EVERYTHING!
When in doubt, accessorize!
You can zhuzh anything up with accessories. Maybe you’re not feeling like putting the effort into wearing something fancy. If that’s the case, accessories are your best friend! They require less planning, are easier to change than clothes, and are less of a commitment. Like a great rug, they tie everything together and truly complete an outfit. I’ve transformed everyday loungewear into ritualistic evening wear with a belt, a necklace, earrings, and a head adornment.
HERE ARE A FEW MY FAVORITE PLACES TO SCORE FABULOUS BUDGET FRIENDLY ACCESSORIES:
CITI TRENDS
https://cititrends.com/product-category/women/jewelry/
Anything from big costume jewelry to vibrant kaftans at affordable prices. Their online options are limited, so I recommend finding a store near you to fully experience everything Citi Trends has to offer.
ETSY
A great place for finding handmade unique gems, some of which are budget friendly and some of which are sold at upscale prices.
You can find amazing pieces using their search engine, but here is a list of some of my favorite accessory vendors on Etsy:
UK BEAUTY CUSTOMS
Embroidered beaded insect brooches…need I say more?
INNA Z LOTNIK JEWELRY
Stunning raw crystal rings and necklaces for those who aren’t afraid to go big.
FEATHERS AND THREAD UK
Statement festival wear, costume accoutrements, and all the things to tickle your fancy.
LORA VI BEAD JEWELRY
Extravagant high fashion beadwork jewelry that is a true work of art.
FIZZY FINGERS
https://www.etsy.com/shop/FizzyFingers?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1587043463&from_page=listing
Amazing capelets and head couture for the bold fashionista who wants to stand out.
VINTAGE BOUTIQUES
Here are a few of my go-to vintage stores for accessories in the Austin area:
ROOM SERVICE
https://roomservicevintage.com/
This is my number one shopping spot for brooches and hats. A little tip on brooches…they are a fashionable way to resize a garment that is too big, especially pants.
THE BLUE VELVET
https://www.bluevelvetaustin.com/
A great place to find a bit of everything from scarves to necklaces to petticoats to hats, all very affordable and one-of-a-kind.
AUSTIN ANTIQUE MALL
https://www.instagram.com/austin_antique_mall/?hl=en
A very local Austin shopping experience! A hodgepodge of stores selling just about anything that’s old, including hats! This place can be a bit overwhelming with all of it’s little stalls to meander through, so I recommend dedicating some time to really explore. If you’re solely in search of a fabulous vintage hat, head over to booth #916 (and if you’re not sure how to find it, ask the friendly cashiers for assistance.)
SWIETSTUFF
Unique, funky, bold, artisan made jewelry with a globally conscious mission. This female owned and operated business partners with women around the world to create job opportunities in rural places. Each piece is lovingly handmade by a woman with a story.
COCO COQUETTE
https://www.coco-coquette.com/
A festive spot where all selves are celebrated with pizzazz and loving adornments. Wigs, fascinators, makeup, sunglasses, etc. This is the place for EXTRA!
