'Kinda rather good'

Before I even begin to understand the dynamics and values of this question, it is customary and important to understand the fundamentals of it. So, what is fashion?

Fash·ion (fshn)

n.

The prevailing style or custom, as in dress or behavior: out of fashion.

Something, such as a garment, that is in the current mode: a swimsuit that is the latest fashion.

The style characteristic of the social elite: a man of fashion.

Manner or mode; way: Set the table in this fashion.

A personal, often idiosyncratic manner: played the violin in his own curious fashion.

Kind or variety; sort: people of all fashions.

Shape or form; configuration.

tr.v., -ioned, -ion·ing, -ions.

To give shape or form to; make: fashioned a table from a redwood burl.

To train or influence into a particular state or character.

To adapt, as to a purpose or an occasion; accommodate.

Obsolete. To contrive.

idiom:

after (or in) a fashion

In some way or other, especially to a limited extent: She sings after a fashion.

So now we know.

I sit here having read and understood what fashion is and what it represents, and I somewhat disagree. Fashion is not the clothes we wear, it is not about what is current or popular; fashion is not a characteristic of the social elite, and it is not as restricted as we all assume. Fashion is so much more than that.

Fashion to me is not what it is to you. And fashion to you is not what it is to me. Fashion is in itself your own discovery; your own journey through trying, exploring, practising, contemplating and understanding.

So I come back to this idea, this notion and this question of my favourite fashion discovery, but to be honest I don’t have one. My discovery is fashion and the ways in which I make it my own. The ways in which my clothing fits, falls, rests, matches, contrasts, clashes, shapes, wears, flows and works(or not, in some cases). That’s my favourite fashion discovery.

And beyond all of those physical attributes, fashion to me is about feeling good. Feeling good both physically and mentally. On the outside, as well as the inside. Enjoying what you wear, and enjoying what it represents about you. It is not merely about a small black dress, or a well cut trench, or even those killer red heels. It is about how it works with you, your body and your mind. The creases it forms to fit perfectly around you. The ways in which it rests upon you to give you a confident smile. The ways in which it reflects your mood, hugging you tight or dancing in the summer breeze.

It is the most apparent and visible extension of your unique and personal self. It is the words that are seen, but not spoken until mentioned. Ok, so that sounds a little deep and perplexing; and I’m not the kind of person to suggest that fashion is an art, but fashion is about personal discovery and development. I want my clothes to speak, to send a message, to say something about me and to leave others intrigued. They are not merely a necessity; they create my identity and very ironically, make me who I am. Although, I believe I make the clothes, as much as the clothes make me. Rather philosophical I know, but I do believe clothes can have that significant of a meaning. And within this discovery of mine there is value; value not from the names on the labels, but value in what you have created, or ‘thrown together’. But does that then become your style?

It’s difficult and bizarre to talk of fashion without the mention of style. Yes, they are two very different things, and yes they represent two very separate paradigms. Yet they are essentially embodied in one another. One exists with the other, and the idea of discovery brings them both together in an infusion of personality and product.

Fashion to me has been a discovery. A discovery in learning that style is what you are, and fashion is the catalyst to allow you to express yourself, and together they can be anything you want them to be. Whether that be tall black Hunter wellington boots with skinny grey jeans, or a green blazer accessorised with a green belt; the most important thing is to feel comfortable.

You might read this and assume I refer to my discovery as simply knowing what types of clothes match, or which accessories work best, or which colours make me look less fat, but that would be wrong. The true discovery here is about feeling good in what you are, and gaining confidence from how you feel. It is about the emotions you feel and the values that fashion creates. That’s why I believe it to be a very personal discovery. One that is your very own, and unique to you. One that you mould, develop, progress, change, dissect and perfect over time.

My favourite fashion discover is fashion. And fashion is what you make it.

(Project for asos.com)