Everyday morning, we get up, wear something comfortable, coordinated, seen everywhere and show up. We don’t think too deeply about what we’re wearing. Hoodies, sweatpants, jeans and basic tops everywhere. It’s simple, practical and easy. Only a few people that are interested in fashion or work in fashion show up with carefully planned outfits. For most students, especially early in the morning, the basic enough

I’ve always noticed the small decision people make when they get dressed. Even before you specifically learn about fashion, you already know how to match how to stand out or how to pull an outfit together. That’s why even though I dress simply most days, I still get how much an outfit can express for a person.

The moment a special occasion comes around, dressing up becomes thoughtful and intentional. You start noticing things that you might ignore on a regular basis such as textures, contrast, accessories and coordination. There are so many colour combinations that are universally understood like black and white, while others seem risky unless you’re going for a bold look. Even without studying fashion, instinctively you can choose what to wear every day.

This is especially true for weddings. Whether it’s traditional, modern or themed, it shapes what you wear. Bridesmaids often wear coordinated colours: lavender, royal blue, pastels. Groomsmen have matching suits or ties. Something that ties the whole event together. These unspoken ways of dressing up show how colour and clothing choices hold meaning.

Recently, I attended an Indian wedding and they’re known to be grand, sparkly and over the top. There is so much to look forward to including how you’re going to dress. People start preparing a month before just to be prepared or because of pure excitement. There’s so much to take into account: the dresses, the makeup, the footwear, the current fashion, the hair, the accessories, etc. There is so much to look for: the embroidery, the print, the fabric, the colour, the sparkliness, everything. The countless markets and malls give you a large variety for you to find the one you were looking for. Finding the lehenga and even getting it stitched has its own enjoyment.

While choosing what to wear, I felt this excitement I don’t feel on regular days. I tried on so many lehengas. I was surrounded by shimmering, sparkly and bright outfits. At the wedding everyone was dressed so gorgeously, it truly made it even better. It doesn’t just affect your appearance but also the joy you feel.

Every event you attend comes with questions: Is it formal? Is it casual? Are my clothes too blingy? Too simple? Appropriate? The more events you attend the more inspired you get. You take inspiration from everywhere – your friends, your family, strangers, influencers, from a random scroll – literally anywhere.

Ultimately, we don’t dress up to appear put together. We do it to be present, to celebrate, to feel confident and connected. When people put effort into this it makes the atmosphere more memorable.

At the end of the day, dressing up is more than picking clothes. It’s about the place, your style and your instinct. Everyday outfits may be simple, but special occasions remind us how much creativity goes into an outfit. It becomes a way to express yourself.

Images: Elke Scholiers and Hemanshi Kamani