Rattlesnake your charm in the armoire,
Where you’re always invited to be ignited,
To play in private with your mind, so delighted.
To intrigue and oh yes, captivate
First you, your true heart’s soulmate.
To ripple out magic, the magic you’ve sown,
And grow out those wings that sprout from your backbone…

We’re living in times where it’s easier than ever to communicate. We’re in communication overdrive. But the basics of joy, respect and purpose are oftentimes getting lost in the grueling chaos. Here lies the importance of clothing and personal style. We can use our clothes—and the personal space in which we dress ourselves—as a gateway of communication and self-discovery. When we invest effort in how we convey ourselves, we are bringing to light the meaningfulness of self-expression. Let’s stop this rush we have in doing everything, especially in our communication, and let’s take our time—here in this sacred space we call our armoire.

When it comes to dressing, stepping into our wardrobe is like entering a fantasy world where we are the star protagonist. Style is a big word used to discern who possesses it from those who supposedly don’t. But style, my kindred Aesthete, is—really— subjective because it’s personal. As long as we’re captivating ourselves, and embracing our own unique expression and style through material props, that is the true allure.

Life’s circumstances cause us to change our taste and inclinations overtime, or over days. And this allows us to tap into glorious unpredictability and exploration within the context of our wardrobe. We can intrigue and be intrigued—we can allure and be allured—by none other than our charmed and charming selves, through the very act and art of dressing.

I am drawn to the allure of wildlife, limitless skies, the fascinating world of art and interior design, and the surreal to inspire and drive imagination. The whole point is how it feeds our ravenous need to discover not just ourselves but our important relationship with the rest of this magical world.

I personally don’t think I’ll ever settle into a certain aesthetic, because I enjoy the freedom of not defining my style. I take so much pleasure and pride in seeking out special pieces (usually archives) but that said, I also really try to work with what I’ve already got, to bring out and use older pieces tucked away and long-ignored within my wardrobe. An old piece I haven’t worn in a while feels like a new purchase, and wearing it makes me feel noble and unwasteful and unique. It helps to try to look inward at what I’ve got, instead of outward at what I (or social media encourages me to) desire. It’s not getting what you want, but wanting what you’ve got, no? The fun is in the constant and limitless mixing. And creating unexpected harmony, which somehow makes me feel whole.

Coldplay really gets it here:

Turn your magic on, to me she’d say
Everything you want’s a dream away
We are legends, every day
That’s what she told him
Turn your magic on, to me she’d say
Everything you want’s a dream away
Under this pressure, under this weight
We are diamonds
I feel my heart beating
I feel my heart beneath my skin
I feel my heart beating
Oh, you make me feel
Like I’m alive again
Alive again
Oh, you make me feel
Like I’m alive again.
And if we’ve only got this life
And this adventure, oh then I
Wanna share it with you

Coldplay, Adventure of a Lifetime