Fashion as a form of self-expression
A glamour of our choosing, fashion decides how we will be perceived.
Fashion is often underestimated, with many of us thinking it is limited to the clothes we wear, but it’s so much more than that. Fashion can be akin to putting on armour, a glamour of our choosing, that decides how we will be perceived.
When approaching fashion-forward individuals on campus, UTM students Giselle, Gurjas, Navya, and Saarah, all shared that wearing clothes representative of their personal style makes them feel empowered and connected to their identity.
Giselle felt that fashion allowed her to bring a distinctive part of her personality to life, explaining that whether she chooses softer, delicate pieces or bolder, statement-making styles, her fashion choices reflect different aspects of who she is. Navya felt similarly. For them, fashion was the “first impression” they made. Being “part of the punk/DIY scene,” fashion allowed Navya to express her “identity within this counterculture.”
Gurjas and Saarah shared how they used fashion to show who they really are. Gurjas expressed that in high school, she faced peer pressure to conform to the status quo. She described herself as “feeling lost.” Since coming to university, she has explored what style resonates with her, finally finding comfort in “street-style and influences of Y2K.” Similarly, Saarah spoke about how she didn’t feel the most confidence in herself when she was younger, and the freedom to dress however she wanted has made her feel “unstoppable.” For Saarah, her dressing sense is versatile, not confined to any one aesthetic, but instead alternating between styles depending on her mood.
In terms of how fashion impacted their daily lives, Giselle, Navya, and Saarah all felt it made them a lot more ready to take on the day. One of Navya’s methods to combat the winter blues was to take a few extra minutes to come up with an outfit she felt confident in. “It’s a small thing, but it really helps me stay on track,” she shared. “Especially in the winter when everything takes just a little more effort by default.”
On how fashion could be used as a creative medium, Giselle said fashion is a way to express her creativity by playing with colours, textures, and styles to create a look that tells a unique story. Navya felt that every article of clothing carried the weight of rich cultural history, sharing her personal experience as a South Asian person and how “embroidery weaves narratives of tradition, heritage, and artistry into every stitch.”
Gurjas and Saarah referenced how fashion designers pour their heart and soul into their designs to portray what they’re feeling. They also applauded the work of UTM’s own Charity Fashion Show and how they encourage designers to make use of sustainable materials and let their creativity shine through.
Judging by the responses of these UTM students, it is easy to see how tremendous of an impact fashion can have in our lives. It is far more than a mere garment. It holds a million stories, and even the littlest piece of thread may hold the secrets of a lifetime.
