Fashion and Accessibility
As many of you know, the Met Gala just aired on TV and on social media. Stars flocked to present dream dresses and suits. This years theme was ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion & The Garden of Time’. A lavish event that never fails to impress. But I’m left with one question, as a Schizophrenic living in this wide world; is Fashion accessible to us too?
When you’re at the Psychiatric Hospital, you understand what ill looks like. You also understand what hygiene smells like. We prepare ourselves for the outside world when we are healing and getting treatment. When we are discharged, the doctors and nurses NEED to know that we understand how to dress ourselves and care for our hygiene and are thinking clearly. The moment you walk into the hospital, they are preparing you for discharge.
This brings up a notable topic of presentation and the mentally ill. Apparently, according to my Occupational Therapist and Doctor, I present very well even when I’m sick and needing help. This can pose a problem with getting the support I need when I need it most.
The last time I was admitted to hospital was in 2022, I went to the ER with Sam and was being assessed for a stay on Burr 4, the mental health wing of Kingston General Hospital. After assessing me, the on-call Doctor told S that he should take me home, and to trust that the mental health floor was not a place he wanted to leave me. Even though I was asking S to hide my pills at home so that I wouldn’t try to overdose. The Doctor was convinced, as I sat in my white linen, long sleeve button up top and matching white pants with a Burberry scarf, that I was capable of sleeping at home. S had to make phone calls to my Assertive Care Treatment Team so they could advise the on-call Doc to admit me.
Fashion is a very important part of being ill. It is a clear signal to society that things are going well. Makeup, hair and clothing for the mentally ill can change their opportunities and surroundings. Being stylish will help engage and socialize and change the course of your happiness.
Budgeting for those living with schizophrenia can be a challenge. If you are like me, you have supportive parents and or a husband who works. Ontario Disability Support Program provides $1300 per month, which isn’t enough, with (usually) free medications, optometry and dental plans but expects the mentally ill to marry into some kind of money because when you sign the papers for marriage, they expect your partner to pay for everything and you lose your ODSP. I personally don’t think that that’s a good thing. I don’t think schizophrenics should be pressured to compete with established women in the dating scene. It’s very intimidating. Some of us have been homeless and are not reading right now and it’s a human rights issues that they be pressured to then perform and be vulnerable. Having the ability to focus on finding someone who can care for you and who you can trust and laugh with is important. The Schizophrenics are having to compete with Therapists, ODSP workers and Business women for example. People who are supposed to help us out in the world who then may not provide quality care because they are your competition when it comes to men. And especially men in the disability community, when men are traditionally making the money historically, good thing it’s a new era because they’re going to want a sugar mama. And sugar mamas don’t always need a double income family. Like comedian Amy Schumer who’s husband is on the Autism spectrum. She loves him!
But I know what wins the date. A nice Ralph Lauren peacoat and Tom Ford eye glasses. When a disabled person or the mentally ill has their benefits and family support, they can go shopping and secure themselves in their social lives and even in the workforce. To have some independence to pay for things and make good choices for themselves, they can exude confidence and attract good like-minded people. I have been able to budget for handbags and clothes from some economical online stores and self-care items but theres always room for improvement. Because I have a tight budget, I can’t always source my fashion sustainably, be in season and pay a fair wage to the workers. Accessibility in fashion makes the world a better place.
The Olsen Twins have a line at Walmart. I once bought a yellow crop suede jacket that I wore on my first date with Sam. It was cute and was giving vibrant girlfriend energy. Earlier that day I’d told him about schizophrenia and because of the Olsen Twins, he didn’t pay much attention to it.
Another fashion love of mine that is accessible is called SHEIN. They have the most adorable dresses and co-ords. They usually give discounts and free shipping on already affordable clothing and I get lots of compliments on them. They also have matching clothes for mother and child as well as a mens section and curve women. I find their sizing to be generous and make you feel good about yourself.
I also bought some jewellery from Wish. Wish is another online store. They do fast delivery and have really nice, unique styles. If you want to model expensive, elegance that doesn’t cost too much, they are a good go-to. You just have to be careful about the amount you wear it because it is only gold plated. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of jewellery in a break-in last summer where they stole some rings and necklaces. They weren’t worth too much to them, but they had sentimental value to me.
I wish there was more accessible Fashion for the poor. I think looking good doesn’t have to cost a lot and for the people who stole from me, they are taking fashionable items and I can only hope that it brings them inspiration, love and happiness. We’re all searching for that. I don’t like the culture that says that fashion is shallow or bad for your self esteem. I think expressions of identity are important and we will always be proving ourselves in ways that bring us peace and acceptance. Lots of money at the top goes into making these fashion dreams come true. And then it trickles down into department stores and online storefronts. I am super grateful for that. Because at the end of the day, fashion is art and art is life.
Be blessed.
