Memory Keepers
because sometimes an old shirt is more than just a shirt - it's a time capsule.
i wore a shirt last week that reminded me of a night in 2022. nothing major happened—but everything did. it was one of those nights where the sky was just right, the music felt like it understood you, and my outfit made me feel a little more like myself. the shirt isn’t particularly special. it’s a dupe addidas jersey that's slightly oversized, and the sleeves bunch in just the right way at the wrists. but when i wear it, i'm back there; walking aimlessly through town, listening to sza[think of the s.o.s style one she had on the album cover] thinking about the version of me i was trying to become. it smelled like new beginnings and late-night conversations with myself. :)
that’s the thing about clothes: sometimes they’re not just clothes. sometimes they’re memory keepers. we always talk about personal style like it’s forward-facing. like it’s only about who we are becoming. but sometimes, personal style is about remembering. it's about keeping old versions of ourselves alive in the folds of a coat, the hem of a dress, the grain of a leather bag. it’s about putting on something and being transported – not just to a place, but to a feeling. an era! a you that maybe doesn’t exist anymore but still deserves to be worn.
a while back, i used to think fashion had to be new to be meaningful. that a fresh outfit meant a fresh start. now i know better. now i know that some of the most beautiful looks i've ever worn weren’t about trends or aesthetics. they were about context. they were about the memories. a shirt i wore on a day i realized i deserved better. jeans i wore when i laughed until my stomach hurt. a pair of shoes i walked through sh*t in.
that’s what i mean when i say i dress like a memory. it’s not always intentional. sometimes it just happens. but when it does, it feels like a quiet reunion — with a past self, a story, a moment i didn’t want to forget. and maybe that’s what fashion does best. not just help us express who we are, but help us hold onto who we’ve been!
as always, thank you for reading. these personal essays are always witty to write and i am grateful to the people that enjoy them. i have a few exciting stuff coming soon so stay tuned for that. in the meantime, if you feel like supporting my work, you can buy me a coffee. you can also follow me on instagram and twitter (again, it’s never X in my book).
until next time, adios!