Phantom Vetement Syndrome (Vetement meaning clothing in French) is an umbrella term that refers to the feeling you get whenever you aren’t wearing specific accessories or clothing that have become an extension and even a part of your everyday look. Things like Jewelry especially.
You might have bought or maybe even been given a special piece of jewelry/clothing from a friend or from family, which leads you to start wearing them almost all the time, as it not only becomes part of your identity, but serves as a fond memento in honor/in remembrance of that friend/family member.
Not having those accessories feels like you’re incomplete, and not fully yourself. Especially since people tend to recognize you better because you rarely ever take them off. You wear them during the day, while you’re out, and sometimes even in situations where it’s best to take them off, but you refuse to.
This feeling can be melancholic if you lost any of those items. Although it won’t last forever. It may hurt to not have those accessories anymore, but it’s up to you to find something else to wear and make it meaningful.
You might have bought or maybe even been given a special piece of jewelry/clothing from a friend or from family, which leads you to start wearing them almost all the time, as it not only becomes part of your identity, but serves as a fond memento in honor/in remembrance of that friend/family member.
Not having those accessories feels like you’re incomplete, and not fully yourself. Especially since people tend to recognize you better because you rarely ever take them off. You wear them during the day, while you’re out, and sometimes even in situations where it’s best to take them off, but you refuse to.
This feeling can be melancholic if you lost any of those items. Although it won’t last forever. It may hurt to not have those accessories anymore, but it’s up to you to find something else to wear and make it meaningful.
by NATEhan August 19, 2025
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