The Dormant “Clothes Person” Inside Me

The Cultural Enthusiast is the dormant clothes person within me, whose eccentricities and artistic penchants sneakily appear in my everyday fashion choices. I have learned to embrace the Cultural Enthusiast, secretly hoping that one day, I shall become the curious, eccentric dame who sits alone, sketching in a museum.

The Cultural Enthusiast makes her public appearances in cafés or teahouses, particularly ones with purchasable local art on the walls. Though the Enthusiast enjoys such venues, she also prides herself in her collection of international loose-leaf teas. Thus, the stainless steel thermos becomes a regular accessory in the Enthusiast’s wardrobe.

Her most prized accessory, however, is her backpack, which must be both elegant and durable (favorites include products from TUMI and Mandarina Duck). They say the dog is man’s best friend, but the Cultural Enthusiast’s best friend is her backpack. The backpack is more than just a safe place for valuables: it is her travel companion, accompanying her everywhere she goes.

The backpack is one of two key investment pieces, the second being a high quality pair of boots.

The Enthusiast is very particular about her boots: they must have a substantial heel, yet they must also be comfortable; they can have a worn, weather-beaten look, yet, as a whole, they must be able to withstand Nordic winters. In addition, the Cultural Enthusiast enjoys wearing distinctive jewelry and eyewear, each piece preferably having its own backstory. (This way, upon appreciation of the accessory, the Enthusiast can further impress the unsuspecting admirer).

My inner aesthete opts for a combination of comfort and seemingly “effortless” style, wearing minimalist classic knits and, in warmer weather, breezy blouses and linen shift dresses. A high neckline is a constant trend among the tops, as dark turtlenecks emulate the flair of an artist, a thespian, or, more specifically, Alan Rickman. The idea of functionality and a vintage taste steer the Cultural Enthusiast toward the high waisted figure, which can be achieved through denim mom jeans, pleated culottes, or swinging midi skirts.

The Cultural Enthusiast’s signature look, however, comes from the absurd amount of bags she carries, worn for the sake of necessity rather than glamour. In addition to her treasured backpack, the Cultural Enthusiast lugs one or more tote bags and/or a cross body briefcase (intentionally ambiguous as to whether it is an instrument, a laptop case, or a portfolio). In addition, the Cultural Enthusiast, as indicated by her title, considers herself an aficionado of all arts, thus often carries a camera around her neck.

The contents of the tote bag further emphasize her artistry: a sketchbook, a pamphlet map (because the Cultural Enthusiast refuses to rely on a smart phone), vintage bronze binoculars (used for both zoo expeditions and opera performances), a miniature French dictionary, and a Yayoi Kusama-inspired umbrella.

The Cultural Enthusiast, with all her bizarre and somewhat introverted tendencies, reflects the desire to be unique, worldly, and, at the same time, natural. As a result, I am unashamed in accepting this eccentric character. I have an intuitive feeling that one day my dormant clothes person will wake up, and I may just become the peculiar yet lovable Cultural Enthusiast.

Illustration by Marie Louise James