Clothing: Something of a necessity. Some people follow fashion. Some wear what is comfortable.

Have you ever thought deeply about what you wear? Do you have that one outfit that makes you feel powerful?

For me, my clothing is an outward expression of who I am inside. It reveals the many facets of my internal world.

I simply cannot stick to one style, because I am not just one thing. I flow through life with different interests, different moods, and a lot of pizazz.

One style I embrace is Victorian Gothic. It expresses the part of me that loves poetry, especially the dark beauty of Victorian-era poetry. Its intense emotional depth, rich imagery, and dramatic monologues pull me in. Then there is gothic poetry, where it explores death, decay, madness, and the supernatural.

I also take inspiration from my own depth and the darker edges of my existence.

When I wear Victorian Gothic, I am not merely dressing up to be a “Goth.” I am gothic. It has been in me my whole life. I am expressing myself because that is what I feel that day.

Another part of me is a free-loving witch. I love to express that by wearing long, flowing, floaty dresses. Lots of chiffon, soft cotton, and lace. It gives the vibe that she owns a thousand cats and dances naked on the moors under a full moon — whether I do or not, I shall leave up to you to decide.

Internally, this is the side of me that loves crystals, sound bowls, astrology, and my own peaceful existence. I would have said meditation too, but ADHD and meditation do not work together for me yet.

Now we arrive at whimsy. Whimsy never was, and never will be, fashion for me. It is who I am. I am the forty-plus-year-old lady that still holds onto her childhood innocence.

The world can be magical for me, as well as very painful. I find joy in the things social narratives say to leave in childhood.

I refuse to deny myself true contentment to please people I do not even know. Embrace your inner child. It is good for you.

How do I show whimsy in my clothing? I wear Cinnamonroll dresses, Evie shoes, and interesting handbags — or my Pikachu soft fluffy toy backpack.

Or I might wear a Japanese Lolita-style dress with Mary Jane shoes. There is also sparkles. Lots of sparkles. Face glitter, highlighter, body shimmer, and glitter spray.

This side of me loves play. Animal Crossing is a huge regulator for me. I love collecting Hot Wheels cars and learning about birds. Corvids are obviously my favourite land bird. Puffins are my favourite sea bird.

Then there is elegance — which comes out in all my styles. I find it hard to do casual because I am not a casual being. For I am a Victorian gothic princess witch…

Of course, I dress down at home. Comfort, regulation, healing, and my safe space fully allow tired nervous system style to show. What does that look like?

Wild hair, oversized glasses, soft clothing.

Usually brushed cotton wide-leg pants with an elasticated waist, a loose T-shirt, and a long cardigan. Most definitely Cinnamonroll slippers.

There are many more sides to me, but to write them all would be too much for both of us.

Clothing, for some, is deeply personal. It runs deeper than simply picking up a dress from the supermarket. Each outfit is thoughtfully chosen to match mood, inner world, and often the type of day needed.

Clothing can make us feel powerful when it aligns with who we are inside.

— Frost ❄️