These stories were collected as part of the Style Stories project.

Examples of Style Stories:

Ann’s Story:

This hat was made for my Grandmother in the 1960’s.

I was once wearing it on a breezy day in Edinburgh; as I walked over a bridge, the wind blew it off and carried it to the street below. I ran after it and found it in a wet gutter. Fortunately, I was able to dry it out and re-shape it.

I haven't worn it in a long time but I have it in my bedroom so I see it every day. I have a lot of hats and I hope one day I will have the confidence to wear them, or they will come back into fashion so hat-wearing will be the norm. I would like to be the old lady who wears hats.

Tony’s Story:

When I was younger, I used to go to lots of discos in the 1970’s and this was one of my disco jackets.

I wore it for years, but it slowly went out of fashion so I stopped. It was a bit worn so I was going to chuck it, but I forgot about it for years and randomly realized I loved it and started wearing it again.

I almost threw it out a second time a few years ago, and a friend’s daughter said, “If you’re going to throw it out, I’ll have it…” Which made me realise how cool it is. I wear it every spring. 

Laura’s Story:

I found the skirt in a charity shop years ago and fell in love with it and wore it loads. Then, a couple of years ago, I came across the matching jacket on Depop and I was like OMG I have to get this. It felt like I had this set reunited after so long! Since then, I have worn the set together and have made repairs rather than throwing it away.

It’s a very special set. When I had one of the worst periods of anxiety and I was really struggling to leave the house, this coord has always made me feel confident and brave.

So, the first day out I had since that episode of poor mental health - I went to Cambridge and I wore this. It was a really special memory that not only started me on the way to thriving and going out more but also attached even more meaning to this outfit. It became my “power outfit” that made me feel strong and capable. 

Jack’s Story:

This piece of clothing is important to me as I commissioned it for my first compereing gig last year. I had it made by an artist’s mum, who is so talented and inclusive, as it comes along with matching skirt.

When I put it on, it feels like my armour, I feel fabulous, I feel that all of the harshness of the world goes soft for just a moment. When I first wore it, people were amazed and loved at how much light it bounced off just by walking down the corridor. People wanted to touch it and take photos of me in it, it was nice to have a positive buzz and people taking photos to celebrate you as opposed to mocking you.  I already know I'm going to wear it out to the point it falls apart. But if that happens I hope to re-design it in some way, like a cape or a banner.

The stories below were created by the New Creatives as fictional examples for the project.

Story 1
My blazer was given to me by my Granddad after his passing and I wear it before every football game. He used to come to every single one of them and I use it as my lucky charm because every time I’ve worn it, I’ve won.  

Story 2
This Levi shirt belonged to a Brooklyn decorator in the 90s, during his free time he had a passion for skateboarding and graffiti although this is one of his better-looking shirts. He is normally found in splattered paint. He has multi-coloured sneakers which remind him of the colours on the Levi’s logo.  

Story 3 
If I had an item that needed repairing I would embroider flowers onto the holes that go with the colours of my clothing. If there was a stain I would paint my own design.  

Story 4 
I cut off the old, damaged blazers selves and sewed on silk fabric sleeves instead/ I also put multicolour buttons on to match. I embroidered flowers on the holes in my hat.  

Story 5
I was clearing out my great grandad’s attic and I found his old uniform. He was a train conductor. I wear it to vintage fairs and 1940s festivals. 

Story 6
I was an extra on the set of Barbie. I wore this top and the production let me keep it. I wear it when I want to feel hope as a struggling actor and feel some feminine energy. I gave my BFF the matching skirt so we can co-ord on girly nights out.  

Story 7
Part 1 
I was a Parisian heiress whose father lost all his money in investments gone wrong. Forced to flee poverty and judgement, I came to England with only my 18th birthday shoes to my name. My one meaningful possession that wasn’t seized. Upon arrival, struck by the cold & rain, I sought refuge at a bus stop where a kind old lady gave me her coat. That coat would come to symbolise the first act of true kindness afforded to me. Then, determined to shed any semblance of my past life and take back ownership of what is means to be “me” I enrolled in free local football classes for kids. In my unconventional attire some mocked me, some did not understand. Fast forward to a year later and I am one of the city’s best female football players, acknowledging my Parisian roots without feeling ashamed of my family name any longer. Nowadays they all want me on their team. Oh, and I never did ditch those heels! 

Part 2 
While all else in my life was looking better than ever. My beloved pink coat definitely was not. One night, exhausted and cold after training, I got up and plucked the coat from my wardrobe. The seams were fraying, there were holes down the arms and the ends were discoloured. Determined to save it, I pulled out an old floral top I hadn’t worn in forever and cut it until I had a trim of flowery jersey. All night, I carefully sewed it to the bottom of the coat, covering the stains and breathing in new life. Then, I carefully sewed up the holes and embroidered little stars over the repair patches. Testaments to hope in the darkest days. Finally, where the old seams had frayed I snipped away at the overgrown fringes and covered them over with faux fur cuffs from gloves that had seen better days. After all, I got a second chance, why shouldn’t my clothes? 

Part 3 
It was sometime later that the call came, a French number; it had to be. My dad had somehow swindled himself out of the financial hole and all our assets, once thought to be gone were returned to us once again. The only thing was as I stared at the boxes of clothes and bags by designers whose logos I could no longer recognise, I found myself wondering just what to do with it all; fabric reminders of a Parisian heiress who knew nothing but hollow appearances and a twisted family. Mulling this over, I grabbed a jacket and headed to the bus stop where I saw a young woman standing there in just a T-shirt. Her smile missing. “Here,” I said and handed her the multicoloured boudè jacket I probably once coveted. She turned it in her hands, asked me am I was sure, and hesitated before putting it on. That night, I went home knowing just how much a stranger’s jacket at a bus stop can mean to someone.  

Story 8
The stripped blue shirt belonged to a lovely man. He wore it in the 40s, everywhere he went he wore the blue shirt and everyone knew him as “Blue Barry”.  

Story 9 
I love this scarf, scarves can be versatile and be worn as a head wrap, top scarf and sarong. 

Story 10 (belt with floral design)
I found a lovely belt with a beautiful design on it, however, it was too loose on me so I poked a new hole into it. Now it reminds me that change is possible.