Have you ever looked at someone and quietly imagined their life? What do they do? Where are they going? What’s on their mind? It’s a quiet kind of storytelling, and fashion is often the first clue. I catch myself doing it all the time.
A man in a navy suit at 8 a.m. Doesn’t just look sharp, he looks ready. He’s telling the world he’s in control.
A woman in layered florals with a pearl clasp bag? She She dresses for herself, even when no one’s watching.
We all do this. Because whether we admit it or not—clothes speak.
Sometimes loud, sometimes soft—but never silent. Even when we think we’re not saying much, we are.
Before we even say a word, we’ve told the world a story.
They say: I’m fine, even when I’m not. I’m here, even when I’d rather disappear.
For me, fashion has always been my way of staying in control. Not to impress, not to distract but to anchor myself.
Even on my worst days, if I step out in the right pieces- crisp t-shirt, blazer, tailored pants, heels- I feel less like I’m crumbling and more like I’m holding it together. Not for show (maybe a little). Not for anyone else. Just for me. And that’s power and fashion is my shield.
I once caught an overnight flight in sweatpants with stilettos on my feet. Comfort matters, yes but confidence gets packed too.
In undergrad, I gave streetwear a fair shot. Oversized everything, sneakers for days. It was fun. But it wasn’t me. I was wearing a trend, not a truth.
Then I travelled. And somewhere between airports and mornings in new cities, something shifted. Suddenly, I wanted tailoring. Monochromes. Clean Silhouettes. Scarves. Kitten heels that made me feel lifted on dull days. I wasn’t drawn to “cool.” I was drawn to clean.
My closet became a moodboard for the woman I wanted to grow into. Eventually, I caught up to her. Sure, the heels still hurt—but at least they matched the mood.
And isn’t that the whole point? Even when we’re uncertain or overwhelmed, we can still show up looking like our best selves.
Clothes won’t fix everything. But they’ll hold you together when little else does.
And brands know this well. They don’t just sell clothes, they sell the person who wears them.
- Chanel is the polished rebel.
- Dior is quiet strength.
- The Row is presence, minus the noise.
- Cavalli is pure expression.
- Ralph Lauren is old-money ease.
Each season builds on that identity : one show she’s in love, the next she’s in power. Fashion moves like life phases. That’s what keeps it human.
TV got it too. Blair Waldorf dressed in layers of structure and pride, because that’s who she was. Serena floated through style like she floated through life, effortless, golden, impossible to box in. Carrie Bradshaw? Fashion was her diary. Every outfit was a feeling, a fling, a phase. Their wardrobes told the story before they did.
That’s what I’ve always loved about fashion!
It’s not just what we wear. It’s who we’re becoming.
One of my friends wears clothes that feel like chaos and confidence stitched together. Another couldn’t care less about fashion but still radiates ease in whatever she picks. You can tell who prioritizes comfort. Who dresses for the job. Who’s in love. Who just left someone. Our style holds our subtext.
Both are right. Because the best outfit isn’t about price. It’s the one that fits your posture, your energy, your day. If it feels like you, it already fits.
So if you ask me—what does your style say about you?
It says how you’re feeling or want to feel. It speaks before you do. It shields when words fall short. And yes, sometimes it confuses people. That’s okay. Mystery has always been part of the look.
I’ve learned that the best outfits aren’t the most expensive. They’re the ones that feel like you. The ones that fit well and feel honest. You don’t need a ₹30,000 dress to feel iconic. You can style a Zara bag like it’s Chanel if you know who you are when you wear it.
What you need is tailoring, intention, and confidence. That’s it.
So wear what you want to feel. Let your clothes carry the energy you want to lead with. Style isn’t about being noticed. It’s about being sure of yourself—even if just for the day.
Because clothes don’t just cover us. They carry us through heartbreaks, interviews, grocery runs, boring Mondays and big moments.
And in that small, quiet act of getting dressed, we become who we want to be.
-Sakshi Agrawal
Noir et Blanc 