In a world of fast fashion where trends come and go, there is something timeless and divine about the fusion between the realms of fashion and spirituality. Beyond where the stitches are sewed and the embellishments are placed, lies an energy of inner peace and expression far beyond just the fabrics. As we begin our journey towards self-awareness and discovery, our sartorial choices emerge into manifesting our spiritual essence. Join me as we explore how spirituality transcends and elevates fashion into tranquility. 

Before we delve into conscious materials, it is highly important to acknowledge the diverse stretch of religious beliefs and practices of our own. Spirituality varies from person to person based upon their own personal journey. Our exploration we will get into is not about promoting a singular belief system, but rather laying out tools and different perspectives that may help to enrich your path. There is no right nor wrong path to embark on; rather, it is all just simply a reflection of all our own unique experiences that life has brought to us. Resonating with a specific practice is deeply personal to you and may only work with you, and not the person next to you. Embrace what feels right for you while still honoring all the other beautiful practices in which others are using around you.

Conscious materials:

The core of fashion begins with the materials themselves. Sustainably conscious consumers are increasingly becoming more fascinated in fabrics that honor the earth and promote sustainability. From recycled cotton to bamboo textile, the variety of mindful materials are widening. Embracing cruelty-free faux leather and animal prints is not only a bold fashion statement, but a reflection of care we have towards all living beings. The sustainability end of fashion is seeking more ideas to create environmentally and socially responsible fashion. Over time, fashion has evolved and has come back again and again to recycle old trends. Many brands are trying to not only promote eco-friendly materials but also products that are conveying better energies by straying away from synthetic or polyester materials.

This image shows an abstract drawing of fashion sketches with flowers and nature blooming within them, Image courtesy of IIAD

Sacred symbols and “dopamine dressing”:

From ancient symbols cultivating spiritual energy including serene lotus flowers to specific stones worn with intention, all serve as reminders of the divine femininity and uplifting energy we all aim to embrace. The language of color speaks a multitude of volumes in the spiritual fashion world. Just as each chakra belongs to different parts of our bodies, each hue choice can amplify our inner energies. For those that are unfamiliar with the different chakras in our body, Healthline.com has an informative article named “A beginner’s guide to the 7 chakras and their meanings”. Vibrant shades of blue translates into feelings of tranquility and open communication, while earthy tones ground us feeling more connected with nature itself. With the wide spectrum of colors, we utilize the power of chromotherapy to balance our alignment with the universe. Many of us may not realize what we are doing when we decide on our outfit, many of us are subconsciously choosing based on our mood or emotions felt that day. The term “dopamine dressing” has displayed powerful information on how dressing based on emotion and spiritual well-being can truly affect our moods. Color, style, texture, and patterns can all have psychological ties with memories or our current frame of mind. Getting out of our comfort zones with fashion and expressing our identity through what we wear is also proven to help trigger dopamine releases. The way we resonate our spirit with what we wear and experimenting with different styles can allow us to gain insight within our originality. 

This image displays some beautiful jewelry handmade out of healing stones, some including clear quartz, amethyst, citrine, and smokey quartz. Image courtesy of The New York Times

Intuitive creativity:

Spiritual fashion isn’t all about following trends or always using the knowledge we already have, it’s also about listening to that inner voice we all have but sometimes forget to use to our advantage. An essential spiritual practice that many people use is their intuition, this feeling can be quite difficult to explain to an individual that isn’t tapped into it yet. In simpler words, intuition can be described as more of feeling rather than a thought. Whether we are drawn to a specific silhouette, pattern, or stone it can reflect our innermost self, hiding in the depths of our subconscious. If we embody and embrace where we are guided and honor all of our unique styles, we invite a sense of authenticity and confidence into our lives, and with that confidence radiates from within you when you feel your best self without acknowledging others opinions. Possessing intuitive fashion allows you to see things on a different level and be able to feel and sense what moods you want to convey through your own style. After all, true fashion begins the moment we dare to be ourselves and cease the thoughts of what others may think. 

                              

This image displays some beautiful jewelry handmade out of healing stones, some including clear quartz, amethyst, citrine, and smokey quartz. Image courtesy of The New York Times

This Image courtesy of Pinterest displays the “divine feminine” energy a woman is embodying. Her sheer lacy white gown allows her own energy to flow and beam from the sun.

Possessing our purpose with fashion:

The inclination of spiritual fashion has begun to stem from social media information that sometimes may not fully resonate with your own personal convictions. Truthfully, fashion mirrors your own inner reality, beliefs, and the enticing energy you give off. Once you have found understanding of the connection, your clothing acts as a powerful medium to tap into your spiritual essence. To unlock your full potential and inner-self through what you wear, it is essential to move beyond surface level apprehension of beautification. Finding connection beyond self is an elevating feeling that can then be illuminated through your own fashion sense and self-expression. 

                        

This image courtesy of The Guardian shows how different crystals are being used in new style trends. They are naming it “The new stone age” 

Fashion manifestation: 

Whether you are daydreaming of becoming a CEO of a corporate company or fantasizing about modeling for Vogue, little did you know the power of fashion can truly manifest the person you desire to become. Embodying the power of where you want to be can be as easy as rocking a sharp blazer with a pair of heels to manifest that marketing job you are wishing for. Clothing is a distinct form of non-verbal communication, and it can elevate the way people perceive us or the way we see ourselves. When we are making a “vision board” or putting words into the universe we are manifesting the things we see or say. With that being said, the same goes for the clothing we wear. We emote certain energies based on how we decide to dress. Many studies have shown that people dress based upon the ways we are feeling. Instead of dressing a specific way if you are sad or joyful, incorporating styles that elevate and express our dreams can be a powerful form of manifestation easily used on a daily basis.  This is a prime example of a spiritual practice used in everyday life, that we may not even realize we are doing. 

This image displays a “vision board” for manifesting a specific type of energy or lifestyle one is trying to manifest through clothing, beauty, and brands. Image courtesy of GIRL IN CULTURE

As we adorn ourselves in the garments and embellishments of spiritual expressionism, we continue our journey of self-discovery. Each choice we make everyday when it comes to the materials we put on our body or the symbols we were drawn to, serves as a deep connection with the universe and ourselves. In this divine sense of fashion and spirituality, we find not only “fashion that feeds the soul” but the energy we all want to convey. So as we dress ourselves whether it's each morning or before a night out, the colors of our expression expand and become the fabric on our body at that very moment as well.

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