"As a South Asian, what does style mean to me? That's an almost existential question when your culture conditions young girls to make themselves small and invisible in the name of modesty. I used to play it safe with plain, hyperfeminine clothes, but now I would describe my aesthetic as eclectic, psychedelic, and exuding soft power.
Your style speaks to who you are; mine altered once I leaned into my gender fluidity. Bengali aesthetics are vibrant, flamboyant, sensual, and textured: eye-catching point-blank. I had this epiphany that dressing up is like your soul materializing; it is a disservice to the world to show up as a watered-down version of yourself.
Most of my clothes are thrifted, or hand-me-downs from guy friends or pieces I have had for nearly a decade. Desi's been on the slow fashion wave. Shopping intentionally is a practice I am very proud of. The wonderful thing I've learned is that my pieces transcend gender and identity since I repurpose them time and time again to fit each version of me emerging through self-reflection and inner growth."
