More often than not, i’m in tune with the gentle, empathetic, understanding, and open-minded side of myself.

These qualities tend to come out in my clothes, too: Comfy with slightly oversized silhouettes that swallow me up in coziness. Dainty A-line skirts that exude graceful femininity. Deep, muted colors that are comforting and friendly but tend to make me just blend into the background.

Dressing Up With Nowehere to Go OOTD 7.3
Quaint and Peaceful Witch scaled
Pages Outfit 2
Though i enjoy being creative with my outfits, i don’t like being center stage, and it shows.
But there’s an edgier side of me that doesn’t often see the light of day.
Delicate Power A Kick Ass Outfit for Rediscovering My Strength scaled
The side of me that longs for independence, self-sufficiency, adventure, and justice.
The side that can at times be cynical in pursuit of strength.
The side of me that was obsessed with my red superhero cape in preschool; that begged my mom for karate lessons at age 6, but didn’t get them; that grew up zealously rewatching Spider-Man, the Matrix, and X-Men; that competed with the boys in matters of strength and speed on the playground, and greatly preferred these times over girly, elementary-school gossip.
Got a cape from superhero day at preschool and never wanted to take it off scaled
Truly believed i was strong enough to pull the sword from the stone
The side of me that strangely (while my mom constantly warned me and my sister to be careful playing outside) dreamed of being kidnapped, because (at 8-years-old) i genuinely believed it would be an amazing opportunity to outsmart the bad guys, kick ass, and get the adventure and self-confidence i longed for.
Life was always an adventure as a kid
Wore my red superhero cape all the time
Backyard Adventures
The side of me that shoved a friend off the swing in my childhood backyard, fuming with anger, because he made fun of my sister.
It’s not exactly a “pure” side of me, and it’s certainly different from the gentler aspects of myself. But it’s still me–A part of me i’ve suppressed rather than grown and refined.

Delicate Power A Kick Ass Outfit for Rediscovering My Strength 6 scaled

Deep down, i want this side of me to be able to come out. To be able to feel strong, sure, independent and able to stand up for myself and others.

Delicate Power A Kick Ass Outfit for Rediscovering My Strength 3 scaled

At 23, i still haven’t been able to truly exercise my independence. I’ve always had a sense of shelter. I’m grateful for those times, but i long to grow.

Delicate Power

I long to let these different aspects of myself intertwine into something more beautiful. Strong, but graceful; Seeking both justice and mercy in the very same heartbeat, without contradiction.

Delicate Power A Kick Ass Outfit for Rediscovering My Strength 2 scaled
Delicate Power A Kick Ass Outfit for Rediscovering My Strength 10 scaled
Delicate Power A Kick Ass Outfit for Rediscovering My Strength 7 scaled
“It Isn’t Love If It’s Selfish” – An Outfit Representing Lost Love and Vulnerability

“It Isn’t Love If It’s Selfish” – An Outfit Representing Lost Love and Vulnerability

For so long, i’ve told myself: “It isn’t love if it’s selfish”.

There’s still nothing in me that has stopped believing that’s true.

Desire paired with selfishness is only possessiveness and in action, it’s only consumption.

It’s cruel and it enslaves. It suffocates. It disregards the needs, wants, and desires of another. It inflicts pain to all involved.

But what makes something selfish, anyway?
I’m not sure i actually know….. Is everything i want automatically selfish in my mind?… everything i think i can’t have?

What is Your Style Personality Story Behind The Cloth Discovering Your Personal Fashion Style
Kick Ass Personality Button

More Fashion-Philosophy:

Dressing Up With Nowhere to Go – Day 2

Starting your day off with one little thing that oozes confidence can go a long way in positively impacting your day–i think that’s why dressing up is helping me so far…plus, by dressing up, you’re carrying that confidence right over your skin….it’s close and touchable, and therefore easier to remember. If you feel comfortable in your own skin, it’s a little easier to feel comfortable with your mind and your soul.

Cool Colors – Color Psychology Questionnaire Results

The following post is part of a series on how colors affect us. Much of the information contained is thanks to my wonderful readers who took the time to think about how they feel about various colors, submitting their opinions into my questionnaire. My hope is that it...

Winner of #QuaintBehindTheCloth Challenge 2022

You voted for your favorite Quaint outfits…See who won!

Color Psychology Questionnaire Results

It was so enjoyable reading all of your answers on the color psychology questionnaire! I’m excited to share with you the results, as well as further color psychology research to complement our study (just a little)! Some were surprising (Could orange be peaceful?; Could yellow be boring?), and others were pretty by-the-book, universally relatable (Red is passionate; Blue ranks as the top liked color; Gray is reminiscent of cloudy skies and seasonal depression).

How to Dress Like Ariel

Want to dress like Ariel? Here’s how to analyze Ariel from The Little Mermaid so you can create a costume or outfit inspired by her.

Getting Back Into A Confident, Healthy Flow in 2021 and 2022

After almost two years of pandemic craziness, if you’re ready to get back out there and live your life, you need to do it with confidence. And to do that, you need to take steps to improve your health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life. Lawrence Mager and Story Behind The Cloth have listed some simple tips for how you can do just that:

The Story Begins – Fashion as a Form of Storytelling

I believe fashion is a form of storytelling…. Delving into that idea is the core purpose in starting this blog… What you wear tells people who you are and what you love–It tells a story. It’s personal and you bring it with you wherever you go. What if we could make our clothes declare, with even greater strength, the truth of who we are? What if our outfits could be a catalyst for conversations about the things we’re passionate about?
The plan is to explore the depths of these ideas….

Vibrant Urban Poet: A Style Story Interview with Tajinder Kaur | + Punjabi Culture and Sparking Conversation Through Clothes

“No matter what style I choose to wear, whether it’s streetwear or a whimsical style, colour and confidence will always be present.” – Tajinder Kaur

Tajinder is determined, talented, genuine, beautiful, and has a unique and vivid sense of style. What first brought her blog to my attention is the mix of her quirky style along with her beautifully raw poetry–It’s an example of a fashion blog that is truly a “must-read” and not just a “must-view”.

Read her Style Story to learn more about her:

Serenity -Outfit Styling Based on Desirable Qualities

An outfit styling based on the kind of person i want to be and qualities i hope to grow in this season of my life. Serenity, gentleness…Peace with myself and the world around me. Remembering my own past, but not letting it be the main thing to shape me. Allowing myself to grow, but not being angry about where i am at.
Loosely inspired by traditional Japanese style and ideals.

Sketches of Anxiousness – My Anxiety-Inspired Fashion Collection

I felt inspired to bring how i was feeling onto paper in the form of conceptual fashion sketches.

I thought i’d share them with you for two reasons:
1. To give hope that you’re not alone and that others understand what you’re going through.

2. To shed light on what mental health issues feel like–anxiety in particular–and hopefully bring in some more understanding and sympathy.

More Kick-Ass Style Posts:

Social Distancing Apparel for Kick-Ass Introverts

I’m releasing my first set of apparel designs, themed around introversion and social distancing.

COVID-19 certainly hasn’t been a good thing– But the efforts to contain it has slowed down life in a way that has been refreshing for those of us who are especially introverted.

Kick-Ass Fashion Deals: Deep Discounts on Edgy Cyberpunk Style Clothing

Kick-Ass Style exists to highlight all that is brave, daring, headstrong, and totally badass. It’s sleek but edgy, with inspiration from cyberpunk style.

Enjoy these kick-ass products at sales prices over 40% off while you can!

I regularly curate this page, so come back again to browse more newly discounted products in a few weeks.

Kick-Ass Style Guide: 5 Strong Elements of Edgy Cyberpunk Fashion

Baddass, sleek, and edgy looks for the brave and daring, fighting souls who don’t sense defeat and look forward to the future.

The optimistic-realists, who realize the world is cruel but believe they can do something about it–Unafraid of playing dirty if it means they have a chance to make a positive difference in the lives of themselves and their loved ones.

If that sounds like you, read this guide to learn how to create a wardrobe that is as Kick-Ass as your soul, and embrace your life’s mission as these vigilant looks inspire an exciting, reckless, courageous life full of obstacles to overcome.

With this distinct, headstrong, looks-could-kill, Cyberpunk wardrobe (inspired by secret agents and vigilantes) even the most mundane days are full of bold purpose.

I Didn’t Mean to Let Our Relationship Die – An Outfit Representing Relational Sabotage

I wonder all the time if i sabotaged our relationship.

Together for 5 beautiful years…Over in the blink of an eye.

Am i the villain of my own story?

#KickassBehindTheCloth Style Challenge 2022 – Vote for Your Favorites!

Vote for your favorites! Who do you think will win the #KickAssBehindTheCloth challenge?

Winner of #KickAssBehindTheCloth Challenge 2022

Find out who won the #KickAssBehindTheCloth challenge!

Kick-Ass Fashion Masks

Not only do masks keep you and those around you healthy–They also can make your outfit look extra badass!

Other Styles You Might Like:

“It Isn’t Love If It’s Selfish” – An Outfit Representing Lost Love and Vulnerability

For so long, i’ve told myself: “It isn’t love if it’s selfish”.

There’s still nothing in me that has stopped believing that’s true.

Desire paired with selfishness is only possessiveness and in action, it’s only consumption.

It’s cruel and it enslaves. It suffocates. It disregards the needs, wants, and desires of another. It inflicts pain to all involved.

But what makes something selfish, anyway?
I’m not sure i actually know….. Is everything i want automatically selfish in my mind?… everything i think i can’t have?

Long Question – An Outfit Representing the Painful Beauty of Heartache

Have you ever felt heartache so strong, so beautiful, so wonderfully painful;

…one that makes you sigh with relief, contemplating that you’ve lived and loved to the fullest you could possibly imagine…?

Dead Tired

I've been chronically exhausted since i was, like, 8 years old. I don't know why, but hopefully will soon. I'm finally getting it addressed with doctors... My psychiatrist gave me a cortisol test kit to see if i have adrenal fatigue and my primary physician referred...

Witchy Fashion Deals: Deep Discounts on Dark Mori Kei and Gothic Bohemian Style Clothing

Witchy Style radiates curiosity, serenity, and love for nature, and holds dear all of life–even the struggles. With inspiration from dark mori kei and gothic bohemian styles, it embraces little “imperfections” and the darker sides of humanity.

Enjoy these witchy products at sales prices over 40% off while you can!

I regularly curate this page, so come back again to browse more newly discounted products in a few weeks.

Connecting With Emotion

Spending some extra time deciding on my outfits is my favorite way to recognize my emotions and prioritize my mental health.
Artistic expression has always allowed me an avenue to slow down, explore, and find beauty in the things i feel.
Sometimes connecting with my emotions feels like pure magic… I find power in being in sync with how i feel and accepting myself as i am.

Witchy Hats for Halloween and Beyond

Whether you’re shopping for a Halloween costume or updating your day-to-day wardrobe, a good witch hat will help you embrace your inner magick like no other accessory!

Browse and shop my curated lists below for witchy hats that are elegantly classic enough to take you through this Halloween season and beyond!

Witchy Style Guide: 4 Powerful Elements of Gothic Bohemian and Dark Mori Kei Fashion

Powerful, magical, dark, and dramatic fashion for fierce and romantic individuals with great curiosity, serenity, love for nature, and humble understanding of their strengths and weaknesses as well as the depths and beauty of life and death.
 

If that sounds like you, read on to learn how to create a wardrobe that is as Witchy as your soul, and venture into a life of magic of your own creation, as these powerful but graceful looks inspire you to embrace and strengthen all aspects of yourself, equally unafraid of your light and your dark

The Strength of Accepting Weakness

Accepting weakness begets strength.

I am queen of my darkness, and equally queen of my light.

I can own my struggles, i can own my pains, i can own those emotions that feel so very close to death.

They are mine, but i am not theirs.

I can relax in who i am, moment to moment, and see beauty even in the dark and quiet.

I Feared Waking Up

Through the entirety of almost 5 years together, every time i looked at him or heard him laugh, i felt like i was dreaming. My fear was waking up, not breaking up.

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