Since I found a jumpsuit on Xianyu this summer, I have developed a love for this item. I even bought a pattern online and have been sewing it these days.

I used to not understand why so many fashion bloggers liked this item. I thought it looked great when worn, but when I thought about the restroom issue, I couldn't bring myself to like it. I am still very rational.

However, after activating my fashion sense, I was willing to give it a try. As a result, I found this very simple blue-dyed cotton jumpsuit with an elastic waistband, and I absolutely love it. First of all, the thin cotton material is very soft and comfortable. The long sleeves and long pants design help shield me from the sun and air conditioning. The overlapping front creates a large V-neck, elongating the neck's proportion, and the elastic waistband makes it easier to put on and take off while also shaping the waist.

When my mom saw me wearing it for the first time, she squinted and asked, how do you go to the bathroom in this? I replied, you just take it all off, it's cooler, and it's like loosening up the body.

Haha, that's really how I convinced myself, and that's exactly what I did.

The style I made this time is a short-sleeved design with a suit collar, featuring two covered pockets on the chest, which looks very cool! I still prefer long sleeves, so I modified the pattern to have long sleeves, and to add a casual feel, I also added a belt.

I chose a piece of gray-brown cotton-linen fabric with fine white stripes that I found earlier to make it. There are many pieces to cut, and this is definitely a labor-intensive task, which suits me! After cutting the pieces, I first made what I thought was the most beautiful design—the two covered pockets on the chest. To ensure the pocket's pattern aligns perfectly with the front piece, I used all hand stitching. By the time I finished sewing the two pockets, a whole day had passed.

Today is the second day of making it, and the progress now only remains to hand sew the collar, the waistband, and the edges of the pants and sleeves, which means I can finish it tomorrow.

While sewing today, I realized something: chaos is the beginning of order.

The book of Genesis mentions the state of emptiness and chaos, where the one who said let there be light brought forth light, and thereafter established the order of the universe and the planet we inhabit.

Making clothes is similar; by handcrafting, one can understand that even the most exquisite garments are born from chaos. The scattered pieces after cutting, the scraps of fabric, the threads that fall off during sewing, and the messy seams hidden within the waistband—if one does not personally experience the process of making, it is hard to imagine why haute couture is so expensive. Behind a beautiful garment, there is not only the labor of designers, pattern makers, and tailors, but also the fabric woven from nothing, and the sewing threads, not to mention the countless miles of stitching left on a piece of clothing.

I have always liked beautiful and high-quality things, but due to financial constraints, I can mostly only appreciate them. Many years ago, my close friend discovered that I had a knack for picking out the most expensive items in a clothing store because expensive items must combine materials, shapes, and craftsmanship. This is in stark contrast to the craziness in the fashion industry in recent years, such as high-end brand packaging bags selling for thousands, which is utterly illogical and baseless.

It can be said that my investment in learning about clothing has primarily benefited myself and those around me, which is also a form of monetization! Think about it, clothing is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to essentials. If this is an indispensable matter, why not make it fun and valuable?

I am grateful that I have finally recognized the importance of my own talents on a conscious level. Now, when I observe others, clothing has become the most important reference point. When a person can truly understand the significance of clothing to people, just as flowers are to a garden, they will not be indifferent to this matter but will look forward to expressing themselves through clothing and communicating with the world.

Eileen Chang was not only a writer who loved beautiful clothes but also ran a clothing store with friends, where she took on roles in design and promotion. She was very skilled at depicting characters through clothing in her writing. Her essay "The Changing Room" serves as a historical account of clothing from the late Qing Dynasty to the 30s and 40s of the last century, providing us with very important reference material to understand that era, reflecting her keen observational skills and social insight. Many period dramas likely draw inspiration from these records to create character images.

For example, she wrote: Modern Western fashion, while not lacking in unnecessary embellishments, always has a purpose—to enhance the blue of the eyes, to support underdeveloped breasts, to make one appear taller or shorter, to focus attention on the waist, and to eliminate excessive curves of the hips... In contrast, the embellishments on ancient Chinese clothing are completely meaningless. If they are purely decorative, why are there intricate patterns even on the soles of shoes? Shoes themselves rarely have the opportunity to be seen in public, let alone the soles; even the edges of high shoes are filled with dense patterns.

Coats have distinctions like "three trims and three rolls," "five trims and five rolls," and "seven trims and seven rolls." Besides the trims, the hem and the front placket are adorned with sparkling rhinestones shaped like plum blossoms and chrysanthemums. The sleeves are additionally adorned with silk lace called "railings," about seven inches wide, with cutouts featuring the characters for fortune and longevity.

Here, countless small interesting points gather, continuously branching out, indulging, and wasting energy on unrelated matters, which is the consistent attitude of the idle class in China. Only in the most leisurely countries can the most idle people appreciate the subtleties of these details. Creating a hundred similar yet distinct patterns certainly requires artistry and time; appreciating them is equally challenging.

Ancient Chinese fashion designers seemed unaware that a woman is not merely a grand garden. Too much accumulation prevents focus. The history of our fashion can be summed up as the gradual reduction of these embellishments.

Seeing these words, one can understand how much progress the new Chinese style that is currently popular represents, having discarded redundant decorations and embellishments, using partial forms to recreate, while retaining the expression of "emptiness" in Chinese culture. Therefore, I have great faith in those minimalist new Chinese styles.

In Eileen Chang's writing, clothing is not just a means of covering the body but also a reflection of character and the era's background. I deeply agree; every piece of clothing carries the emotions of its maker and the imprint of the times. My jumpsuit, though just a simple daily outfit, is also my way of conversing with this era.

Today marks the beginning of autumn, and tomorrow I will complete the final step of the jumpsuit in my sunlit studio—carefully finishing the edges and adjusting the details. Every stitch is infused with my love for this piece and my pursuit of perfection.

The process of finishing the edges requires immense patience and attention to detail. Each time the needle and thread pass through, it feels like weaving the story between me and this garment.

Fashion should not just be a lofty, unattainable dream; it should integrate into life, becoming a way for everyone to express themselves and showcase their individuality. Just like this jumpsuit, it is not merely a piece of clothing but a reflection of my attitude towards life—simple yet not simplistic, practical yet elegant.

I think of those fashion bloggers who love jumpsuits, perhaps because of their unique charm—able to showcase individuality while remaining comfortable and free. And I have finally understood and accepted this charm, willing to let it become a part of my life. It is not just a piece of clothing but a manifestation of my life philosophy—finding order in chaos and discovering beauty in simplicity.

Fashion is a journey without an end, and each of us is an explorer in this journey. By handcrafting clothing, I have gained a deeper understanding of the meaning of fashion—it is not just external decoration but a reflection of the inner world. May each of us find our own style in this journey, telling our stories through clothing and warmly embracing the world.

Everything I am doing now feels like catching up, making up for the time wasted under the influence of erroneous consciousness. I am grateful for the mindset and environment I have now, which allows me to move forward gradually!