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The Comforts of Clothing
NEWSLETTER
8/27/20262 min read
I was at a small family wedding this past weekend and part of the style guidance was to not worry too much about dressing up because they “didn’t want anyone uncomfortable for the sake of fashion”.
I kept running that phrase over in my mind. The statement was clearly referencing physical comfort, but it got me thinking about the other kinds of comfort. What does it mean for clothing to be comfortable?
Physical comfort is one dimension - your body being able to move freely. But there’s also emotional - feeling like you’re dressed appropriately and won’t be judged by others. And then alignment with self - knowing your garment communicates who you are at your core.
Most pieces in our closet don’t achieve all of these areas of comfort perfectly. The worst of the bunch hardly achieve one. The really solid pieces, the workhorses of our closet, hit one type of comfort perfectly and are close on the other elements. Then there are the legends in our closet. The pieces that knock it out of the park in all three dimensions of comfort.
I have a few legends in my closet. I’m wearing one today. And it’s not some ornate piece - it’s a jersey, bias cut skirt that flows just over my knees. It’s stretch and soft fabric mean it’s comfortable no matter my weight or the season of the year - physical comfort check. It’s incredibly easy to pair with other pieces and can be dressed up or down - emotional comfort check. It was made by my mother and is playful but practical - alignment with self comfort check.
When I wear my legends, my bias cut skirt, I feel peaceful. Safe. At ease. That safety allows me the freedom to feel powerful, brave, silly. There is security in the clothing that allows me to show up with more vulnerability in my life. A platform of comfort in my self allows for a greater tolerance of discomfort elsewhere.
Most of us have been taught to be grateful for clothing that physically fits. That reaching for all three of these dimensions is extreme and unrealistic. But it’s not an impossible standard. I wish for women to reach a little more. To aim for a closet of workhorses and find at least a couple of legends that nail all areas of comfort. We deserve the legends!
Now think about your closet. Think about the outfits that have felt comfortable across all the areas of comfort and pieces that have fallen short. What changes when your clothing supports you rather than works against you?
