The Matrilineal thread of protection and a dose of style rebellion.
The Shoes That Set Me Free: Style, Identity & Self-Expression
On Mother's Day, I always find myself reflecting on my relationship with style and freedom. And today, one memory stands out—the day I won my first fashion battle at four years old.
For years, my little feet were trapped in the practical black patent leather T-bar flats my mother chose for me. They were fine, functional, but uninspiring. Then, one day, I spotted them: a pair of burgundy beauties at Clarks. The block wooden heel, the cut-out details, the deep, rich colour—it was love at first sight. I had to have them. And for the first time ever, I fought for my style—and won! I remember not wanting to take them off in the store, begging (and I mean begging) to keep them on. It was a victory that went beyond shoes. It was about self-expression. It was about freedom.
What Is Your Inner Child Remembering Today?
We all have those moments—early memories of fashion that made us feel like ourselves. Maybe it was a dress that made you feel like a queen, a jacket that felt like armour, or tassle boots that made you run faster than the wind. Whatever it was, it mattered. Those moments were the first whispers of our personal style, a glimpse into the unique aesthetic language we’d develop over the years.
But somewhere along the way, the world tries to dull that voice. Trends dictate, norms restrict, and suddenly, we find ourselves wearing what’s "right" rather than what’s us. Right now, in a trump era of growing uniformity—where designers lean into austerity, clean lines, and sameness—we need to protect our soul style more than ever.
Style As Resistance, Fashion As Wellbeing
Style isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling good. It’s about wearing pieces that define and express who we are from the inside out. Our heritage, our emotions, our stories—woven into fabric, stitched into seams. Clothes aren’t just clothes. If we engage spirit made in to matter - they can be a balm, a source of healing, a way to reclaim our individuality in a world that often asks us to conform.
The matrilineal thread of passing down clothes also comes hand-in-hand with passing down the legacy of complexity around beauty, body image, and identity. My mother’s cloak felt like a shroud of protection—until it didn’t. My soul needed to expand from that cage. Maybe my red shoes were that first unshackling? Maybe you, too, have experienced your own rebellion in your wardrobe? Maybe you know there’s more to come.
Now, my generational thread-passing has taken on a new form: the conviction of my son to wear whatever he wants and find freedom in that. Being 17 he has already shed many style skins as quickly as a season. He is now my new muse, teaching me about the playful existence within our wardrobes and how we navigate and weather both physiological and psychological storms through the art of adornment.
Clothes, for those who see, feel, and imagine, are more than just thread and fabric. They are totems for health, wealth, and a deep connection to spirit.
So today, I ask you—what’s your inner little one remembering? What piece of clothing made you feel truly alive? Share your stories. Show me the photos. Let’s celebrate the freedom to wear our truth, boldly and unapologetically.
