My Boyfriend Dressed Me This Morning

Words: Kenny Jules Morifi-Winslow | Photography: Anthony Bila

My person is a fashionable guy: stylish, sharp. His streetwear sensibilities balance out my high fashion proclivities quite nicely. "Celine girl meets Supreme boy" I used to quip when we first started hanging out. We have similar tastes in clothes and can share a lot of our wardrobes, but when it comes to putting looks together, we have rather different ideas about what works, what's comfortable and what's appropriate. The challenge? Let him dress me for five whole days, no complaints. Relinquishing my sense of control over not only my look for the day, but also my body, was a feat I wasn't at all prepared for and was definitely the most stressful part of this experiment. He had fun though.  

So today I had a meeting with my business manager. He's a regular guy, a bit of a square, and is not as serious a human as his job title might suggest. Anthony heard business and his face lit up. He took the opportunity to put me in some heels, which is rather unlike me unless absolutely necessary. All the garments on their own are pretty comfortable, but when put together I felt a little over dressed and awkward in my clothing. "You look like Harry Potter," he said with a smile. Thanks babe.

This afternoon I had a brand event followed by my little sister's choir recital at school. Anthony, again with the heels, was generous enough to give me something with a little more room to move around in,  and thankfully no make up, which I am usually far too lazy to put on daily anyway. It's chilly out so I got a big puffy bomber to complete the look, and thank goodness for that considering he forgot to give me a handbag. Pockets for the win! The overall look was pretty simple, which is pretty much in keeping with how I do, but it's interesting to note the stark lack of jewelry in the looks he compiles – I'm taking notes.

I dragged Anthony out of bed super early this morning to go to this massive farmer's market on the outskirts of the CBD. I don't if he thought this was going to be a cute market like the Fourways Sunday vibe, but this is a legit market, with legit farmers. Although it was my favourite look of the whole week, and I felt kind of innocent and fresh in it, I don't think I would have picked it as a grocery look. He remembered a bag this time, but I didn't get sunglasses because "you're always hiding your face." He's enjoying this I can tell. I asked if the looks he put together were his version of cool or attractive and he said "they are pretty much one in the same. I can see when you're uncomfortable though, and all I ever want is for you to be comfortable." I'll happily wear whatever he wants with that attitude!

It was extremely nippy today, so I stayed home for most of it working from my couch. This meant, pajamas. For the sake of this experiment, I conjured up a drinks date with some girlfriends in order to get an outfit going for the day. This was by far the most comfy look of the week and I felt pretty badass in it. The fur was for drama, but the beanie gave it a bit of a street edge that I would ordinarily be too shy to try myself. I don't usually do layers well in my normal repertoire of looks, but that's something he does really well, it's almost a signature; it was cool to get a glimpse of that for myself.

Last day of the week and we're going out for brunch. We're only popping next door to 44 Stanley, but this is by far the most intricate look of the week. A hat, earrings, heels and a kimono over my jumpsuit. The jumpsuit was a recent purchase so I haven't had an occasion to wear it yet, and it was interesting to see his take on it. The heels were the death of me, and I complained all day, "you just like to possess them, you don't actually like to wear them." That is correct, but he makes it sound like I'm a hoarder. Apparently I was the most difficult to shoot today, must be the searing pain on the balls of my feet, which he says is evident in the pictures.

I learnt a lot this week; about style, choice, control and attraction. I saw a lot of Anthony's Japanese influences play out in a lot of his clothing choices for me, and had to confront my self image and body consciousness in a new and raw way. Talking about all of those things has only been beneficial to us, and it's always cool to see a new side of your partner and perhaps even discover that they might have a thing for high heels…

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