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We Are What We Wear. Women's Clothing Reflects Their Identity, Values

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Actress Emma Watson wearing a gown made from recycled plastic bottles, ... [+] according to British Vogue, attends the Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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"If you ask women about their clothes, they tell you about their lives." That's what Delia said after she and her sister, the late famed writer-director Nora Ephron, asked 100 of their friends "to tell us the stories of their clothes." The sisters then synthesized those stories into a play called, "Love, Loss and What I Wore" (debuted off-Broadway in 2009). "Nora said the play is about identity," that is, the identities we reflect or try to be through our clothing, shoes and accessories, Kristin Marguerite Doige wrote in Nora Ephron: A Biography.

"I tried spending quite a lot of money on a purse, the theory being that having an expensive purse would inspire me to become a different person," Nora wrote in her bestselling book, I Feel Bad About My Neck.

Nora Ephron: a biography, from boolshop.Org

Screenshot - Nora Ephron: a biography

"One of Delia's contributions about high heels," Doige continued, "provid(ed) thoughtful fodder for the ongoing problematic relationship women have with the things they must wear, want to wear, hate to wear, and need to wear as they perform their femininity at work and at home."

Our clothing reflects, "who you were when you bought the thing, wore the thing, and most importantly, who or what you love, and perhaps lost in it," Doige wrote. "It's about relationships – not with the clothes themselves, but with the people they represent – mothers, sisters, daughters, husbands, lovers."

I'd add that what we wear for "work" reflects how we identify with our jobs, titles, careers, vocations, too.

"The woman I want to be"

A tiny 2010 study on women and their relationship to their clothing found that, "women have an (sic) dynamic relationship with their clothes that can be grouped around three co-existing views of self; 'The woman I want to be', 'The woman I fear I could be' and 'The woman I am most of the time'."

It states that "These three views illustrate women's attempts to achieve satisfying images as they engage with clothes to create, reveal or conceal aspects of their identity." But that women find this to be "pleasurable, making clothes selection and use a positive force in women's lives."

Our clothing reflects our values.

Women's clothing has always reflected our values, but those values have evolved, especially with the higher levels of authority and education women have attained, the cultural impact of the pandemic and working from home, generational shifts, and the impact what we (men and women) wear has on the environment.

More women are becoming sensitized to what our wardrobe reflects about our values.

Cate Blanchett and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony ... [+] on November 07, 2023 in Singapore. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

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Some celebrities are walking the talk too, such as Angelina Jolie and Emma Watson. For example, Watson "chose an Emilia Wickstead outfit made with recycled yarn to meet Al Gore while donning a repurposed Harris Reed dress for the Earthshot Prize ceremony," and wore "(a) full-look by the Scandinavian upcycling brand Rave Review" at the huge UN climate conference known as COP26, Quora reported. Cate Blanchette wore a Stella McCartney pantsuit from 95% recycled materials to the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards in Singapore.

British Vogue reports that celebrities are "ramping up" their focus on sustainable fashion, including by wearing eco-conscious brands or vintage clothing.

Fashion's massive environmental impact

Screenshot - UNEP Sustainable Fashion Communications Playbook 2023

Screenshot - UNEP.Org

"The equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes is burned or dumped in a landfill every second," according to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), with the fashion industry producing between 8% and 10% of global carbon emissions. That's more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.

The fashion industry uses about 93 billion cubic meters of water each year, according to the UNEP, "contributing significantly to water scarcity in some regions." Then there are all those tiny microfibers from disposed clothing that are polluting our waters and marine life.

Pressuring the fashion industry – and bringing receipts

From left, Kerry Bannigan with model Mimi El-Ashiry during Project Womens, February 2019, Conscious ... [+] Fashion Campaign

Kerry Bannigan

Many organizations are spreading the word, pressuring and empowering fashion brands, including big fashion houses, to be much more eco-conscious and to keep prices affordable. From the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to the Conscious Fashion Campaign that's partnering with UN, to Earth Day Network and Cradle to Cradle, among others, organizations are nudging brands and showing how it can be done."

It's about the whole fashion manufacturing process: making sure the raw materials (fabric, dyes, buttons, etc.) are sustainably made, minimizing the energy and water they use and its carbon emissions. There's transporting the products to stores, warehouses and consumers too. And, doing it with transparency and accountability for their impact.

That includes how they treat their workers (usually women) making the clothing, shoes and accessories as well. "The fashion industry is a supply chain," Kerry Bannigan, Founder and CEO of the Conscious Fashion Campaign and of the Fashion Impact Fund, told me in an exclusive interview on Electric Ladies Podcast.

Chinese labourers work at the Youngor Group textile factory on June 8, 2005 in Ningbo, Zhejiang ... [+] Province, China. Photo by Guang Niu/Getty Images)

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"The reality is it's a human chain. Nothing is made that we wear that does not go through many human hands. And so really for me, the environmental aspects are extremely important. But, it's really about brands being more open about their supply chain," Bannigan explained. That includes, she said, "the environment that people are working in, for example, and then how their pay is and their education and how they're looked after."

What does your clothing say about your values and identity?

We know what we wear says something about us. As Dana Jacobsen said in a recent segment on CBS Saturday Morning about a new shoe museum, "you are making a statement with your shoes."

Screenshot - Bata Shoe Museum, Canada, exhibit graphic

Screenshot - Bata Shoe Museum, Canada, exhibit graphic

We choose what to wear based in part on what identity we are embracing at that moment, as well as who we're with, as the Ephron sisters point out. And, I'll add, our values and how we want to feel.

What do you wear and what does it say about what you value? About your identity? About your relationships?

Obsessed With Jacob Elordi's Style? These Are The Best Clothes And Accessories For His Effortlessly Cool Outfits

If you didn't already know, the internet officially crowned Jacob Elordi as its newest boyfriend. Whether you've been a stan since The Kissing Booth in all its glory or recently watched Saltburn (at your own risk) and became obsessed, there's no doubt that he's the quintessential "It" boy. And aside from his acting (and perfectly chiseled cheekbones), we can't get enough of his effortlessly cool and fluid style. Elordi can pull off quite literally anything, and we're talking everything from tailored red-carpet suits to street-style ensembles.

If you've found yourself swooning over his fashion sense or sorta kinda wanna *subtly* convince someone in your life to adopt his style, we pulled together the best pieces to create Jacob Elordi-inspired outfits. (I mean some of these would make perf Valentine's Day gifts after all…)

Ahead, find the best clothing and accessories to emulate and embrace Jacob Elordi's impeccable fashion formula (thank us later <3).

NBC

A collared shirt is a foolproof way to elevate any outfit—and it has become an iconic centerpiece in Elordi's closet. Whether he's attending a fashion week show with a button popped open or on a coffee run wearing a graphic T-shirt underneath, the collared shirt has become a simple yet stylish staple for the actor.

Collared shirts 3.1 Phillip Lim Men's Half-Zip Popover Shirt Off-White Arrow Stripes Western Shirt Percival Pablo Cuban Shirt FEAR OF GOD ESSENTIALS Oversized Knitted Polo Sweater ROLLA'S Men At Work Oxford Shirt

A pair of slouchy dad jeans or baggy trousers is an unfailing essential that can take any outfit from 0 to 100. You truly can't go wrong with a loose-fitting pair of pants (this may or may not be a dig at skinny jeans), pls just trust us.

Loose-fitting pants gap Baggy Jeans

Now 13% Off

Levi's Men's 569 Loose Straight Fit Jeans Madewell 1991 Loose Straight Jeans Dickies Original 874® Work Pants Bershka Tailored Pinstripe Pants Bound Pleated Smart Trousers

Daniele Venturelli

Arguably our favorite aspect of Jacob Elordi's style is his v impressive bag collection. He's constantly pulling off the best accessories—from designer purses to sporty fanny packs and leather crossbodies. Who knew it was possible to make carrying a luxe bag look so casual?! We think your man (or you) would look sooo cool sporting one of these sling bags.

Crossbody slings Patagonia Ultralight Mini Hip Pack Porter-Yoshida & Co. Hybrid Shoulder Bag Jacquemus Men's Le Cuerda Vertical Crossbody Bag Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette Carhartt Work In Progress Essentials Small Crossbody Bag Gucci Horsebit 1955 jumbo GG mini bag

Whether it's a denim jacket, leather blazer, or sporty bomber, a standout outerwear piece is the perf way to top off any outfit (as displayed by Jacob Elordi himself). If you don't know where to start, try one of these versatile jackets for some style inspo.

Layering Jackets Dickies Madison Denim Jacket Abercrombie & Fitch Varsity Bomber Jacket Abercrombie & Fitch Lightweight Cropped Workwear Jacket COS Collared Grained-Leather Jacket MANGO Leather-effect overshirt

When we spot him in a cardigan or sweater, our immediate thought is "ultimate heartthrob vibes." These better-than-your-grandpa's sweaters are a timeless classic and literally anyone can pull 'em off, promise.

NBC

Chic knitwear Abercrombie & Fitch Oversized Waffle Crew Sweater Alo Yoga Scholar Cardigan Sweater Buck Mason Brushed Wool Saddle V-Neck OBEY Oliver Patchwork Sweater Ami Paris Cropped V-Neck Sweater

Alessandro Levati

Sporty yet sleek sneakers are a menswear wardrobe staple (uh, besides that *one* time for Jacob Elordi, IYKYK), and a simple pair has the ability to complete any ensemble. Think: Adidas tennis shoes or plain leather sneakers.

Sporty sneakers adidas Samba Classic Shoes Golden Goose Ball Star Sneaker Converse All Star '70s High Top Sneakers Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Sneaker Common Projects Original Achilles Low Sneaker

Okay, the oversized tee should *not* be slept on when throwing together an outfit—the top is the epitome of effortless. And say it with us: The more vintage-esque and slouchy, the better.

Baggy T-shirts SATURDAYS NYC Miller Standard Tee Wales Bonner Original Logo-Appliqué T-shirt ACNE STUDIOS Exford Distressed Logo-Print Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt Gallery Dept. Logo T-Shirt Alo Yoga Double Take Short Sleeve - Bone Rag & Bone NYC Apple Graphic T-Shirt

Jasmine Hyman is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers all the best things you can add to your cart. She loves writing about everything from fashion to politics, and you can definitely find her listening to Harry Styles' entire discography on loop while doing so. She's also probably in bed either reading or endlessly scrolling through TikTok (most likely the latter). Feel free to follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.

Predicting 2024 Fashion Trends

Fashion trends change year to year almost more consistently than the season. Maybe no better place exists to witness these trends evolve in real time than a college campus.

"Scarves are going in — those are kind of already in," multidisciplinary science major Miles Felt said.

The cold weather might contribute to an increase in scarves this year, but they do seem more popular than ever. Advertising and Spanish major Aidan Gratton concurs: Scarves are coming in for 2024.

The most resounding out — with only a few years back in popularity — are baggy pants.

"Baggy pants are going to be less popular," Felt said.

Being less popular could mean a lot of things. Baggy is probably the most en vogue style of pants right now, so becoming less popular might not completely erase them.

But rest assured, this does not mean Felt thinks skinny jeans should come back.

"Skinny jeans are always out. I hate skinny jeans — I have a vendetta against them," Felt said.

Bows are another new trend that took over in 2023, but their time in the spotlight might be coming to a close.

"I think bows are out for sure. I feel like they were here for a sec, but they need to go because they're oversaturated now," anthropology major Nicole Fross said.

Journalism professor Chris Pietsch said he doesn't keep up with college students' fashion trends, but will continue to wear denim and flannel.

Some well-dressed individuals are open to a variety of trends coming in 2024.

"Fashion is up for everyone's own personal interpretation so as long as you like it, then as you should. Keep wearing it," Spanish and sociology major Melia Miller said.

Plenty of people take this advice to heart and are ready to start 2024 with their own unique style and bold choices.

"As an older person I prefer to wear a uniform that I can wear all the time," sculpture major Abhishek Kulkarni said.

Kulkarni said he could not predict any upcoming fashion trends, but for him monochrome will remain in style.

New years always see changes in the clothing landscape. Fashion lovers should have a lot of 2024 inspiration by February, with Milan, London and New York's fashion weeks all coming together within the next month.

My in: purple

My out: tote bags

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