1. When do you feel at your most attractive?

Either when i'm at my most naked (in bed cuddling with the boyf) or at my most adorned, dressed up for a night out. Never in-between.

2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?

I notice women with very pretty faces, or cool eyebrows. Or if they have a bright-coloured coat.

3. What are some things you admire about how other women present themselves?

MAKE-UP! I never wear it, I am terrible at doing it.

4. Was there a moment in your life when something “clicked” for you about fashion or dressing or make-up or hair? What? Why did it happen then, do you think?

Hair stuff clicked about 2 years ago, when I discovered how to look after my hair properly. Fashion..it's never clicked, my style changes all the time, I'm never satisfied with the clothes/style I have. Like sometimes I wear crop tops and try to look cute, and sometimes I just consciously dress like a guy, and wear men's clothes.

5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?

Go for the cheapest things possible. I also always go alone, straight in and out. But I don't recommend this as it stops you being creative with what you buy.

6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?

I don't wear low cut tops because I have no boobs. I avoid long skirts or dresses because they make me look short. And I store my clothes on the floor, which makes it extra difficult to get dressed in the morning...
Also I never never buy bikinis because they look like underwear.

7. What is the most transformative conversation you have ever had on the subject of fashion or style?

With my best friend, when we decided that we were just gonna own the whole boy swag thing and decided to only wear men's clothes, apart from jeans, for a while. And just our reasons for doing it and how it made us feel. It was the start of us both not giving a shit about life or what other people thought of us.

8. Do you have a unified way of approaching your life, work, relationships, finances, chores, etc.? Please explain.

Do as much as you have to/can get away with, no more and no less. Terrible, I know.

9. Are there any clothing (or related) items that you have in multiple? Why do you think you keep buying this thing?

No, I have very few clothes. I don't have enough to have multiples. Although I do have quite a few skimpy body con dresses that I don't wear any more from when I used to go clubbing all the time.

Actually, thinking about it, I have a lot of black clothes. And all my shoes are black. Because its easier.

10. Have you ever successfully given someone a present of jewelry or clothing that you continue to feel good about?

No, but people have successfully given those things to me.

11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why? 

Creepers. Oversized sheepskin/denim jackets. Wearing crop tops with no bra underneath. Mens style shoes for girls. Mom jeans (shudder). Cultural appropriation via bindis and 'african' prints. Basically all the trends that hipsters seem to be wearing these days.

12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?

Nope, nope, nope. I have no tits whatsoever, unlike my mum. And her style can be flamboyant and glitzy often, whereas mine isn't.

13. Have you stolen, borrowed or adapted any dressing ideas or actual items from friends or family?

I have a shared dress with my best friend. I have stolen a nightie from my other bestie. And been given a lot of clothes by others who knew as long as somethings free, I'll take any old junk! And I have stolen a lot of clothes from my little sister over the years.

14. Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? What happened?

Yes. When I turned..maybe 20 or 21, I stopped buying short bodycon dresses all the time and tight little skirts because I fell out of love with my bum. I started dressing lazy and not girly.

15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?

No. I just wear what's clean, really.

16. Please describe your body.

Toned arms (which I used to hate but now appreciate), overall pretty skinny, pretty boyish but with a proportionally big bum, no boobs at all, curly 3b/c hair which is shoulder length and does what it wants. And I'm short.

17. Please describe your mind.

A messed up contradiction full of differing intentions, things I should have done/said, grudges, and reasons why the world is going to hell in a handcart.

18. Please describe your emotions.

They are usually chilled out and kept in check. I hide them or try to balance them with other people's so as not to upset anybody. But when the emotions eventually do get out, shit kicks off.

19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?

I'm wearing my favourite pajama bottoms, a black and white striped baggy crop top, and my hair is in a ponytail pulled to the side. I have no makeup or jewellery on.

20. In what way is this stuff important, if at all?

I love the crop top. And the pjs were a present from my mum. But it's not that deep.

21. With whom do you talk about clothes?

My best friend. And my boyfriend.

22. How do institutions affect the way you dress?

At work, I wear a uniform which makes me feel childish and asexual. At university, I dress how I want.

23. Do you think you have taste or style? Which one is more important? What do these words mean to you?

I have taste, but I don't care enough about clothes to have style anymore. Taste is dressing to suit your body and how you feel and the situation, and making it all fit together. Style is being creative, having flair, having a set way you dress which reflects who you are.

24. Do you remember the biggest waste of money you ever made on an item of clothing?

A £32 bodycon, cutout jumpsuit/catsuit which I wore for my 21st birthday.

Or a £15 cropped shirt I bought recently and have never worn because its too tight on my shoulders. Damn my wide shoulders!

25. Are there any dressing tricks you’ve invented or learned that make you feel like you’re getting away with something?

Wearing hats/scareves/snoods on my head on bad hair days. Mixing foundation with moisturiser so when I wear makeup on special occasions, it doesn't feel like I am. Only wearing lace knickers to avoid vpl.

26. Do you have style in any areas of your life aside from fashion?

I have been told I have a very particular writing style. I love blogging and writing fiction.

27. Can you recall some times when you have dressed a particular way to calm yourself or gain a sense of control over a situation that scared you?

Making sure I looked as hot as possible and that my hair was neat made going out/to parties with people I didn't know well less awkward. Wearing loose clothes such as joggers and jumpers always calmed me down during exams.

28. Would you say you “know what you like” in the area of fashion and clothing? If so, do you also know what you like in other areas of life, that is, are you generally good at discernment? Can you say where your discernment comes from, if you have it? Or if you don’t have it, why or why not?

I don't know what I like in clothes, it changes daily. In general, I don't like closing myself off to options in life. I want to be able to change my mind.

29. Did your parents teach you things about clothing, care for your clothing, dressing or style? What lessons do you remember? Or did you just pick things up?

My dad taught me how to iron, which I ignored, I never iron! My mum taught me how to mend and store clothes, but I store my clothes wrong and never mend them. Other things have just been trial and error.

30. What sorts of things do you do, clothing or make-up or hair- wise, to feel sexy or alluring?

I wear liquid eyeliner. I also tend to wear long drawstring ponytails and padded bras.

31. Many people say they want to feel “comfortable,” or that they admire people who seem “confident.” What do these words really mean to you?

They mean doing what you feel and not taking how you look seriously.

32. If dressing were the only thing you did, and you were considered an expert and asked to explain your style philosophy, what would you say?

Wear clothes that flatter you body, feel comfortable, and make you feel ready for a fight. If that makes sense.

33. What is really beautiful, for you, in general?

Countryside. Children. Love. And good looking cakes. Also, my sisters. And guys with long hair.

34. What do you consider very ugly?

Jealousy, visible bones (I hate mine), flat arses, legs with no muscle tone, close together eyes, desperation

35. Are you generally a good judge of whether what you buy will end up being worn? Have you figured out how to know in advance?

Yep, I hate wasting money so I pretty much wear everything I buy all the time.

36. When you look at yourself before going out, and you are trying to see yourself from the outside, can you describe a bit about what this “other person” is like? What do they like, dislike, what sorts of judgments do they have? Is this “outer eye” based on someone you know or once knew?

I feel like the looker/perceiver is still me. But I'm critical and looking to see if the clothes I'm wearing fit well and if I look too tired.

37. What is your process getting dressed in the morning? What are you considering?

I'm thinking, first and foremost, what is the weather doing? Am I going to be cold, and if so, I wear jeans and one of my jumpers. If I'm going to be sweating a lot because of stress or hot weather, I wear no sleeves, or light layers. I also consider, will I be seeing people I know, and are they friends or people I know less and who might judge me? I also consider if I will be photographed/filmed/have to speak in front of an audience. And I'm also considering whether what I want to wear is clean.

38. What are you trying to achieve when you dress?

I want to cheat having a nice shape with good waist to hip ratio, which is really hard to achieve! I'm also trying to be comfortable so that if I eat a lot I won't feel fat in my clothes.

39. What, for you, is the difference between dressing and dressing up?

Dressing is being acceptable. Dressing up is being fab and making sure I look good from every angle and will get double takes from guys.

40. If you had to wear a “uniform” what would it look like?

Black high-waisted jeans, nikes, a grey tshirt/crop top, black socks.

41. What would you say is “you” and what would you say is “not you”?

Well, not me is wearing dresses in the day.

42. What is your cultural background and how has that influenced how you dress?

My class, race and nationality have merged and I am all of that.

43. Do you remember a time in your life when you dressed quite differently from how you do now? Can you describe it and what it was all about for you?

I used to dress really girly, and wear tight clothes and bright colours because I liked my body and that was how I felt most comfortable, and I like getting attention. And because I was shy and hated my personality so I felt like how I looked was all I had. And I wore a lot of fake hair because I desperately wanted long straight hair.

44. What sorts of things do you do, clothing, make-up or hair-wise, to feel professional?

I put my hair in a bun using a huge donut on top of my head. I wear eyeliner and muted lipstick. I wear black and white, and flat pumps.

45. How do you conform to or rebel against the dress expectations at your workplace?

I conform completely because I have to wear a uniform. There is no way to rebel.

46. Do you have a dress code, a school uniform, or a uniform that you wear for an extracurricular activity?

Well at the gym I wear tight 3/4 length trousers and a tight cropped top, all black, always the same, and I wear ugly exercise trainers which people seem to think are cool but are actually hideous. And I tie my hair up in a bun and wear no makeup.

47. Are there ways in which you conform to or rebel against these uniforms?

I conform. But I don't conform to the bright colours and 'look at me' super cropped sports bras that people wear at the gym.

48. Do you find it comforting or constraining to have a uniform?

My work uniform is constraining.

49. What is an archetypal outfit for you; one that you could have happily worn at any point in your life? What do you like about it?

Comfy, well fitted skinny jeans, trainers or doc martens, and a cropped top. And maybe a gold bracelet. I like the outfits utility. and understated hotnesss

50. Do you ever wish you were a man or could dress like a man or had a man’s body? Was there ever a time in the past?

I wished I could dress like a man so I did it. To the point where my boyfriend got freaked out, but I just ignored him and did it anyway. I would hate to have a man's body. If anything, I want a more womanly body.

51. If there was one country or culture or era that you had to live in, fashion-wise, what would it be?

Now, and here, I guess.

52. Do you consider yourself photogenic?

Not at all. I look different in every picture, and there's always something I hate about every picture. I don't really take pictures of myself or let anyone else often cuz it brings me down, I want to keep believing that I look ok and not have those dreams dashed by a stupid photo!

53. When you see yourself in photographs, what do you think?

Am I really that tired looking? Oh wow I look happy. I didn't think I was that skinny. Why is my face so shapeless and chubby? Posing for pictures is so stupid and pointless.

54. Are there any figures from culture, past or present, whose style you admire or have drawn from?

Aluna George, Brittney Griner, my sister, amy winehouse

55. Have you ever had a dream that involved clothes?

Not really, I never remember what I'm wearing

56. What would be a difficult or uncomfortable look for you to try and achieve?

Looking womanly or sexy. I just end up looking 'cute'

57. If you were totally comfortable with your body, or your body was a bit closer to what you wish it was like, what would you wear?

Pretty much the same things to be honest. More day dresses and vests though. And plunge neck dresses. And nicer bras, because if I had something worth putting in them I'd spend more money on them.

58. Is there anyone that you are trying to attract or repel when you dress?

I'm not trying to attract guys anymore because I have a serious boyfriend. I dress in a way that probably repels everyone really!

59. Are there any dressing rules you’d want to convey to other women?

Don't wear ironically ugly hipster clothes that look good on models because they look stupid and do not work in real life

60. What do you think of perfume? Do you wear it?

I love it. My boyfriend and I currently wear the male and female versions of the same perfume, both were gifts bought at different times coincidentally. Perfume makes me feel confident because I always notice how people smell and I'd hate to smell bad.

61. What are some things you need to do to your body or clothes in order to feel presentable?

Shave any bit of leg or armpit that will be showing, but no more than what will be showing because I'm lazy. Also oil/grease my hair.

62. How does makeup fit into all this for you?

It's a pain in the arse which I only attempt, with little skill, on a very big night out or special occasion. And I'm always disappointed with the results

63. Is there a certain look you feel you’re expected to like that you have absolutely no interest in? What is it? Why aren’t you interested?

Not really.

64. Can you describe in a basic way what you own, clothing and jewelry-wise?

Skimpy cheap boring crap!

65. What is your favorite piece of clothing or jewelry that you own?

My black and red man's shirt

66. Tell us about something in your closet that you keep but never wear. What is it, why don’t you wear it, and why do you keep it?

The things I never wear, I'm currently in the process of selling/recycling. I don't hold onto things I don't wear, except my heeled boots, but they were £80 so I'm not chucking them ever

67. Looking back at all your purchases over the past five to fifteen years, can you generalize about what sorts of things were the most valuable to buy?

Warm clothes, big scarves, second hand trainers - they were the most valuable in terms of use value. Monetary value-wise...my doc martins

68. Is there an item of clothing that you once owned, but no longer own, and still think about or wish you had back? What was it, what happened to it, and why do you want it back?

My ruffled shiny knicker shorts, lost them at my last house. Also I wish I could have my black and tartan batwing top back but my sister cut it up....

69. If you had to throw out all your clothes but keep one thing, what would you keep?

My favourite men's shirt

70. Building up your wardrobe from nothing, what would you do differently this time?

Buy less black

71. What’s the first “investment” item you bought? Do you still own or wear it?

Investment pieces are a false economy. There is no need to drop ridiculous amounts on clothes/jewellery and tell yourself its a smart investment, to make yourself feel less guilty about your consumer greed...

72. Was there ever an important or paradigm-shifting purchase in your life?

My doc martens really! They made dressing wayyy easier

73. What item of clothing are you still (or have you forever been) on the hunt for?

A swimsuit with a skirt attached.

74. What are your closet and drawers like? Do you keep things neat, etc?

Messy as fuck. Drawers all pulled out, clothes on the floor.

75. Were you ever given a present of clothing or jewelry that especially touched you?

One of my friends gave me a necklace which I love and wear all the time. Also my sister bought me a long sleeved crop top which fits really well, it was a perfect gift.

76. Did you ever buy an article of clothing without giving it much thought, only to have it prove much more valuable as time went on? What was the item and what happened?

Not that I can remember

77. How and when do you shop for clothes?

At 2am online. Or at weekends in H&M or Primark, getting it over with as quick as possible

78. Do you like to smell a certain way?

Strong and floral.

79. How does how you dress play into your ambitions for yourself?

I don't know what my ambitions are.

80. How does money fit into all this?

It restricts the bags, jackets, coats and shoes I can buy, so those things tend to be black so they'll go with as many things as possible. Also I rarely buy clothes in general or go shopping much, even though I find window shopping fun, but I don't want to tempt myself.

81. Is there an article of clothing, a piece of make-up, or an accessory that you carry with you or wear every day?

My lipstick from Spain that is green but when you put it on its a perfect shade of bright pink

82. Did anyone ever say anything to you that made you see yourself differently, on a physical and especially sartorial level?

I've had physical comments about how nice my arms are which made me happy. Also how small I am, but I don't feel small so this always throws me, in my mind I'm tall due to being that way as a child. Also people once said I had cool style and it threw me cuz I don't think of the way I dress as cool or edgy or stylish.

83. Do you remember the first time you were conscious of what you were wearing? Can you describe this moment and what it was about?

I was young, about 7, and realised that my parents dressed me like a boy...and started hating it and rebelling and wanting to wear pink and purple instead

What’s your birth date? 
Where were you born and where do you live now?

I was born in November 1992. In Ealing, England, UK. Still in the UK now.

Say anything you like about your cultural/ethnic/economic background.

Mixed race, working class, poor, private school kid (got a bursary), Jamaican/English family, speak English

What kind of work do you do?

Fast food, while studying a masters degree

Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?

In a relationship, don't want kids, want to marry when I'm 27

Please say anything you like about yourself that might put this survey into some sort of context.

Idk...I'm size 6 on the top and 8 on the bottom??

How do you feel after filling out this survey?

Tired

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