You know that feeling when your crush makes eye contact with you, and your heart skips a beat? Yeah, that's how I feel when I see a really f*cking cute striped shirt. Whenever I'm combing through online sales, I immediately stop scrolling at the sight of those sweet, sweet horizontal and vertical lines.
I can't pinpoint when my obsession began, but I was in middle school when I noticed my closet was filled with the pattern. I fully leaned into it in high school, hitting up the mall and sending photos of my purchases to my friend Michaela, texting her along the lines of, "STRIPES AGAIN" or, "Surprise! Bought more stripes LOL."
These pics all have one thing in common. Any guesses?
I wanted to get to the root of my fixation and find out why so many of us lean on the same style all the time, so I turned to fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen, a teacher at the Fashion Institute of Technology and founder of the Fashion Psychology Institute, to learn what it all means. And wow, was it eye-opening.
Here's what's actually going on when you wear the same thing alllllll the time:
First up, Karen asked if I was allowed to pick out what I wanted to wear when I went shopping with my parents as a kid. While that usually was the case, my mom *did* override my more unreasonable choices (i.e., buying a dress in the middle of winter).
"The one thing that I find significant is that you were allowed to select your clothing in middle school, so you were able to foster a sense of independence, but you just happened to fall back to the same pattern," she said. "I have a theory for this—it’s called Repetitious Wardrobe Complex."
Repetitious Wardrobe Complex: when someone wears the same outfit to minimize anxiety.
In other words, Karen says someone who is constantly drawn to the same style is minimizing their anxiety or that feeling that of, "I have nothing to wear."
So when did this start, and...am I in a style rut?
Karen says fashion dependencies like this begin in childhood, which adds up, because I started wearing stripes when I was a kid: "Whether it’s your favorite color or whatever, it's [always] something significant that’s etched in your memory that gives you a visceral reaction."
Next up, Karen assigned me some emotional homework to really explore my reason for picking out the same pattern every time. It might have been because of this Repetitious Wardrobe Complex, but I wanted to see if there was anything else at play that determined why I would pick out stripes. Ever find yourself repeating the same wardrobe choices? Give this exercise a try, too.
"Before your feet touch the ground [each morning], determine what mood you’re in and what mood you want to be in, and when you go to your closet ask yourself, 'Am I going to wear stripes today because I’m in this particular mood? Or non-stripes today because I’m in this [other] mood?'"
Karen has coined two phrases for the emotional reasons behind our wardrobe choices: Mood Illustration Dress and Mood Enhancement Dress. Basically, the first means you're indicating your feelings with your clothing, and the second signals that you're dressing in a particular way to lift your spirits.
When I did my homework, I realized wearing stripes had a tangible positive impact on my emotional state. I felt happier and more confident when I was wearing them as opposed to not.
"You’re actually using the stripes subconsciously to empower yourself," Karen says. "I’m not going to say, 'Do away with something that gives you the most confidence.' That’s like telling a guy not to wear a suit to an interview."
Turns out, people who like stripes actually have similar personality traits.
According to Karen, people who love stripes are often good at multitasking, have a lot going on in their lives, and wear many hats. "They can get overwhelmed," she says, "but it’s also indicative of someone who works well under pressure." I felt like this assessment was spot-on.
In conclusion...
I first spoke to Karen because I was curious if my love for stripes had a deeper meaning and wondered whether I should expand my horizons, style-wise—but I've realized wearing them is just another part of who I am. These alternating lines—no matter how big or small or what color they are—clearly make me happy, so why shouldn't I reserve real estate in my closet for them? And, although not everyone loves stripes as much as I do, if you're wondering whether you wear a certain trend or color too much, don't freak out. You just happen to have a signature style that makes your fashion even more noticeable.
Now, if you'll excuse me, all this stripe talk is making me want to look for more, and if you're with me, shop the items below.
Get All *Lined* Up in These Fashionable Finds
Adidas Sneakers
Scallop Neck Sweater
Suede Crossbody
Bright Cropped Pants
Railroad-Striped Pants
Velvet Flares
Lauren Adhav
Associate Fashion Editor
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.
