Closet Therapy
There is an old saying that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” In some regard this feels like it was written for me except my “get-going” is a bit more specific and lands me in my clothes closet each and every time.
Clothes have an uncanny ability to transform a mood in a complete nanosecond. Specifically, as it relates to days when the world has left me feeling ill equipped to handle what cometh my way. It is in those times when my usual programmed response of push through and shake it off fails, and reality sets in and reminds me that shit just happens!
Take for instance a few days ago in a Zoom conference, a student had a rebuttal to a graded assignment and wanted to know why points were taken off for not capitalizing words such as “United States” and “I.” “For god’s sake!” I say to myself. “Really???” After that meeting concluded, annoyance set in as I was more flabbergasted by the need to debate such elementary mistakes. As far as I remember this was standard grammatical and capitalization correctness that was probably taught in, uh say third or fourth grade. At this point, I am speechless no less.
Within the same week I received an email from a conspiracy theorist friend forewarning me that the corona vaccine was only a scare tactic used as a means of control. Also mentioned in this friend’s email was her adamancy that vitamins A, B,C, D, and E, were cure-alls for the virus. Again, irritation! “Lord why???” I ask myself. But I digress.
In those dark moments where chaos runs amok and tolerance is an unobtainable goal, I resort to my closet. It is here where I seek refuge and find solace. It is in this space that I am able to be my full and complete self. And like a baker or chef, I am inclined to create something. I am able to take whatever clothing item sparks my interest and add style and flair to create a complete outfit from the contents within.
Seeking the need to style something in my closet is me subliminally waving the white flag to whatever has driven me to this space in the first place. It is me redirecting the energy that could have possibly resulted in something uttered out of haste like telling the student to use Grammarly or better yet, stop submitting last-minute assignments. And instead of scolding my anti-science, anti-vaxxer friend about disseminating bogus information, it is just as easy to delve into creative spaces instead of engaging in a one-sided downhill war of words.
In addition to my closet being a great de-stressor from life’s perils, it is also an inviting space reminiscent of a blank canvas filled with endless possibilities.
There is really no method to my madness, I simply pull items of clothing and pour all my creative juices into what I am in the process of remixing and styling. Be it adding a dope ass necklace or jacket to an underrated shirt or dress, nothing is off limits.
The styles I create are based on resuscitating some long-forgotten piece of clothing in hopes of inspiring me to remember the reason why that item landed in my closet in the first place.
Ultimately the goal of remixing outfits is to be able to wear my reawakened masterpiece at a later date. Either to work, to a party, or even out to dinner. However, I am reminded that within the last fourteen months everyday clothing attire has changed. Like so many others, my wardrobe now consists of sweatpants, leggings, and yoga pants all on repeat.
In the grand scheme of things this causes me a great deal of dispiritedness. Outside of Zoom meetings which require something presentable from the waist up, there is not much to look forward to when getting dressed anymore.
And so, I reluctantly ask myself where do we go from here? Will the new office normal be a jacket and sneakers ushered in with overplayed sweats, leggings, and yoga pants? And if so, what is one to do with the mound of accumulated closet contents?
Perhaps I am being a bit dramatic in my quest to hang on to what was versus what is to come. Since thinking about where we go from here, I have come to the conclusion that in spite of all the unanswered questions I will continue to create style from items that grace my closet. There are pieces in my closet with stories to tell. Like my blue and white gingham linen jacket, that begs to be worn and announces that summer is on its way.
In the next few days, I will circle back, test drive and wear all that I have styled and created. Even if it is around the house and for nothing in particular. It just feels like the right thing to do even now when most of us are juggling the “Quarentine 19” and completely driven by comfort. Who cares about the extra weight, style still matters. ©
