The magical world of clothes
Dear Reader,
I hope all is okay with you and you are having a great summer.
I am currently in India visiting my family, and it has been a warm and cherished reunion. I hold the time I spent with my family extremely dearly because I haven't seen some of them in five years, and my mother and brother haven't seen me in two. Even if living abroad is full of adventures, nothing can ever compare to the happiness you experience when your mom makes your favorite dish and it's steaming hot and the flavors taste just right. My mother's voice and the smell of a crispy egg dosa filling the kitchen as she updates me in on her new student is my new core memory. When you have a younger brother whom you genuinely love as if he were your own, you watch as he develops into a man and, regrettably, grows taller than you. When you sit down and speak with him to learn about the person he has become and the life he leads, your heart aches at the suffering he has endured and thrills at his success. You become aware of how different and yet similar you are as you spend each evening chatting. You bond like no time before. I feel as like I have been waiting my entire life for this moment—where we are learning from each other, supporting one another, and, of course, diving into some delicious biriyani as if it were our last day on earth.
How am I feeling right now? Me? I'm content. I am home. 🥰
Although the topic of today's post isn't the pleasures of spending time with family members. As I embrace these final days with them, the warmth that is surging through me could not be contained.
I was packing my luggage a few days ago. I am not a shopaholic, neither am I obsessed with a brand nor do I have to have that bag etc. However, I do have a large wardrobe. I have a big wardrobe in part because I've remained the same size since high school and in part because my mom and I have a similar size and sense of style.
However,my biggest secret is that I still have my birthday dress in the cupboard from when I turned 9. I know! I know!I've been meaning to give it to the right person, but I haven't found them yet. It's a stunning princess gown in peacock green. The gown is very special to me, I believe it has a personality and power to transform the person wearing it. I couldn't possibly give it away without a second thought. Just looking at it transports me back to one of my best birthdays – My mother bought me a new purple Ladybird bicycle; my father bought me a doll house and my cousin sister asked me to twirl like a princess. It's amazing what a piece of fabric can mean to someone.
As I organized my suitcase, I meticulously folded each cloth, and as my fingers rubbed against the fabrics, I felt a wide range of feelings, I smiled at the softness of cotton and silk, reveled at the smoothness of velvet, and scrunched up my nose at the texture of the crepe shirt. My mind, on the other hand, was a million miles away. I could recall when I bought it and with who, how it made me feel, and the experiences I had while wearing them. I have a red dress and it was my “first dress” and when I wore it and came out of the dressing room, my mom’s eyes lit up and she gushed at me fondly, 😅 it is still in my cupboard.
I once heard that people buy clothes based on the type of life they want to live.
I suspect they are correct - I own a wide range of clothing and feel that each one transforms me into the person I want to be at the time. The summer dresses make me feel sweet and pretty, while the little black dress makes me feel like a glorious goddess.
My close friend Ernesa is a lot of fun to shop with; she pushes me to try new styles, and when she sees me looking confident and happy in something, she says, Woahh! The world is not ready for this Lykha all the while wearing a hearty smile.
When I went shopping in India with my mom and aunt, I had fantastic experience. First and foremost, I am astounded by the evolution of fashion in Chennai over the last two years. The clothes are uniquely designed and have great combination of both style and comfort. Some clothes spoke to me and I honestly felt like an entirely new person as I tried them on. One of my favorite memories is seeing my mother's confidence as she emerged from the dressing room wearing an olive top. She radiated so much beauty and joy. We touched a lot of materials as we shopped, running your hand through a soft fabric with your eyes closed is truly an experience. My aunt taught me the immeasurable convenience and simple comfort of one-piece dresses. The time spent and memories created with them are beyond shopping. They have inspired and expanded my view on style and life.
To summarize, clothing is magical to me and many women because it allows us to shapeshift our personalities, form bonds and memories, and go on adventures beyond our wildest dreams.
It is not a material but a story and an experience that we live and create.