Beautiful essay, Tiia. Indeed, I think the internet/social media serves to flatten us, make us into avatars of ourselves instead of fully formed, transforming human beings.
Loved reading every word of this! I do wonder if this veneration of definition and consistency will change—or be amped up—with the rise of AI. Will there be a counter-movement towards more unrefined, less brand-conscious presentations of selves? Or will people embrace the inhuman flawlessness of programmed avatars and tastemakers?
Ah, you've raised a really interesting question. My immediate thought is that AI will make things worse. That's clearly the direction we're headed in the grand scheme of things. A smaller counter-force will be at play, for sure, but I doubt that it's going to really change things. I hope that I'm wrong!
I have a similar pair of boots and they’re great in my rainy west coast Canadian climate. You can apply a water repellent to the leather (I like Woly).
I have never liked being locked into a style! My outfits vary wildly accordingly.😁
Ah, yes, a water repellent might work! Might not be quite as good as Goretex, but it's a lot better than nothing!
I always admire people who don't have the need to lock into a style. That kind of free dressing must be amazing! I always have this thing at the back of my mind, telling me that I need structure and consistency. And then if I ever reach a sense of consistency, I want to rebel. Why am I like this?! :D
I love those boots, and invariably have a similar pair for the winter. My current ones are also waterproof, so I may never need another pair. Agree that the self-definition is self-defeating in the end.
Your comment made me realize that my new boots are most definitely not waterproof. That's probably going to be an issue... shoot! Well, I guess I have my last year's combat boots for rainy days!
I think you’ve won the hunt for winter boots. They look beautiful and interesting.
I’ve been thinking about this idea of what’s “me” because my summer wardrobe can sometimes feel very different from winter. I wear clothes with “softer” details like embroidery and gathers and it feels vaguely incongruous but I couldn’t quite articulate why. And you’re right that it has something to do with the version of ourselves that we’ve curated for an online audience…
I can relate to your thoughts re: summer clothes! I've noticed that I don't necessarily allow myself to be drawn to certain elements when it comes to summer clothing (and for a reason I haven't yet figured out, it's always specifically summer clothes). It must have something to do with the assumption that my style needs to be somehow cohesive, and in that framework, anything boho-esque is not an option.
Per usual, I love your identity introspection as it relates to fashion. Having just released my fashion essay collection — a book that explores how what we wear shapes our identity — I couldn’t agree more that the stories we tell through clothing are often our truest reflections. And yet social media’s so-called “influence” — a word I loathe — keeps nudging us in all the wrong directions.
Clothes are so powerful, and it makes me sad that all these connections that are at our fingertips with the internet and social media seem to just make us drift farther away from that power.
Btw, congrats on your book release! That's amazing!
Have you taken Gretchen Rubin’s personality quiz? I’m 1/2 rebel so if I set myself to 25 items, I’d fight against it. Rules are hard! Love the post. Happy Holidays!
I hadn't taken the Gretchen Rubin test before, but I just did! I got "obliger", which sort of makes sense to me. I fail at challenges that I set for myself, but not if I'm held accountable by someone else.
I always need you to sound out the words I can’t write myself.
Thank you, Laura! What a lovely thing to say. <3
I’ve missed you and your thoughtful insights, Tiia. 🫶🏻
Love you, Irene! <3
(Also love how we're reading each other's Substacks and commenting & restacking them at the same time lol)
Haha and I was like, wait, she bought a frilly night shirt, too?!
Sure did. Who am I??!?!
Someone who still thinks winter boots are abominable.
Yeah that's right, and a beautiful frilly antique shirt will NOT be worn with neon snow boots with silly pom poms and unnecessary buckles! ;D
And this is [in part] why I only post my art 🙃❤️
I get it, completely!
Beautiful essay, Tiia. Indeed, I think the internet/social media serves to flatten us, make us into avatars of ourselves instead of fully formed, transforming human beings.
Thanks, Kate!
"Flatten" is such a great word in this context. That's exactly what it's about.
Loved reading every word of this! I do wonder if this veneration of definition and consistency will change—or be amped up—with the rise of AI. Will there be a counter-movement towards more unrefined, less brand-conscious presentations of selves? Or will people embrace the inhuman flawlessness of programmed avatars and tastemakers?
Thanks, Lan!
Ah, you've raised a really interesting question. My immediate thought is that AI will make things worse. That's clearly the direction we're headed in the grand scheme of things. A smaller counter-force will be at play, for sure, but I doubt that it's going to really change things. I hope that I'm wrong!
Congrats on finding the boots! That’s huge and a propitious sign of a good winter to come :-).
You made me feel better for being pronoun averse too.
Thanks for the shout out on the Met show!
If you happen to visit the Schjerfbeck exhibition, please let me know what you think!
I have a similar pair of boots and they’re great in my rainy west coast Canadian climate. You can apply a water repellent to the leather (I like Woly).
I have never liked being locked into a style! My outfits vary wildly accordingly.😁
Ah, yes, a water repellent might work! Might not be quite as good as Goretex, but it's a lot better than nothing!
I always admire people who don't have the need to lock into a style. That kind of free dressing must be amazing! I always have this thing at the back of my mind, telling me that I need structure and consistency. And then if I ever reach a sense of consistency, I want to rebel. Why am I like this?! :D
My mom told me, when I was 16, “Never dress the same way twice, always keep them guessing.” I took it to heart! 😁
I love that!!
I'm Canadian and my practical winter boots make me look like I have club foot. 😑 I've resigned myself to looking like Frankenstein on the way to work.
Ugh, modern winter boots are the worst! I guess sometimes practicality must come first.
I love those boots, and invariably have a similar pair for the winter. My current ones are also waterproof, so I may never need another pair. Agree that the self-definition is self-defeating in the end.
Your comment made me realize that my new boots are most definitely not waterproof. That's probably going to be an issue... shoot! Well, I guess I have my last year's combat boots for rainy days!
On useampia kenkien suoja- ja hoitoaineita, jotka suojaavat nahkakenkiä hyvin. Järeimmät ovat voiteita.
Suosittelen!
I think you’ve won the hunt for winter boots. They look beautiful and interesting.
I’ve been thinking about this idea of what’s “me” because my summer wardrobe can sometimes feel very different from winter. I wear clothes with “softer” details like embroidery and gathers and it feels vaguely incongruous but I couldn’t quite articulate why. And you’re right that it has something to do with the version of ourselves that we’ve curated for an online audience…
I can relate to your thoughts re: summer clothes! I've noticed that I don't necessarily allow myself to be drawn to certain elements when it comes to summer clothing (and for a reason I haven't yet figured out, it's always specifically summer clothes). It must have something to do with the assumption that my style needs to be somehow cohesive, and in that framework, anything boho-esque is not an option.
Per usual, I love your identity introspection as it relates to fashion. Having just released my fashion essay collection — a book that explores how what we wear shapes our identity — I couldn’t agree more that the stories we tell through clothing are often our truest reflections. And yet social media’s so-called “influence” — a word I loathe — keeps nudging us in all the wrong directions.
Thank you, Christine!
Clothes are so powerful, and it makes me sad that all these connections that are at our fingertips with the internet and social media seem to just make us drift farther away from that power.
Btw, congrats on your book release! That's amazing!
Have you taken Gretchen Rubin’s personality quiz? I’m 1/2 rebel so if I set myself to 25 items, I’d fight against it. Rules are hard! Love the post. Happy Holidays!
Thank you, and you too, Shannon!
I hadn't taken the Gretchen Rubin test before, but I just did! I got "obliger", which sort of makes sense to me. I fail at challenges that I set for myself, but not if I'm held accountable by someone else.
Perhaps you could consider writing a book. Your words!!