Narmin wraps her feelings in clothing

The campus sometimes resembles a catwalk. Students explain what they wear and why. This time: for Narmin, clothing is a way to bring her inner world to the outside.

Even during a busy exam period, Narmin (23) finds time to paint her nails. In between studying she painted one hand and then used the other to study. “I only need one hand to type”, she explains. In this way she kept herself cheerful during this week full of exams in the third year of her international bachelor’s in economics. She has just finished her last exam: her weekend has begun.

When things get busy, clothing becomes even more important for Narmin. “I think clothing is a wonderful way to pause and check in with yourself”, she says. “When you choose an outfit in the morning, it is a moment to gauge your emotions. In a way you can bring your inner world to the outside. Sometimes I emphasise my feelings, sometimes I use clothing to make myself feel different.” This morning it was clear: stress. “Clothing is also a tool for me. Today I am wearing the clothes I love most. In that way I wrap myself in joy.”

Narmin is wearing a skirt with pink and purple flowers on it. “A long skirt is liberating: I can move in it and it is more fun than trousers.” This skirt, which she bought in a charity shop, makes her legs look longer. “I love long legs – I want them myself too”, she says.

She combines the skirt with a pink turtleneck and a black lace top over it. Layers give an outfit more depth. “That is an advantage of cold weather: you can play more with clothing.” The pink pearls in her earrings match the colours of her clothes. For her last exam she did not need much, so she is only carrying a ‘mid-size’ bag with a thermos flask of herbal tea inside.

As a reward for her hard work she put on her new shoes. “I was especially looking forward to my last exam because I knew the shoes would arrive this morning.” They are black leather ballet flats with a small heel, but still comfortable enough to stand in all day. “I am trying to embrace my feminine side”, Narmin says, “after ignoring it for a long time. Now I bring it back out through my clothing.”