In a candid and revealing interview, global pop sensation Ariana Grande has opened up about a deeply personal chapter in her life, explaining how her fashion choices during 2018 were a direct reflection of her internal emotional state. The singer and actress recently participated in Vogue's acclaimed Life in Looks series, where she revisited some of her most iconic and discussed outfits from throughout her career.
Ariana Grande's Emotional Connection to Fashion
When presented with a photograph from 2018 showing her wearing an oversized sweatshirt paired with tall boots, Grande described that period as a "very strange time" in her life. She elaborated that she was "processing a lot" emotionally and simply did not possess the mental energy required to engage with style trends or consider her clothing choices carefully.
The Need for Comfort and Safety
Grande explained that her primary desire during that era was to feel safe, secure, and comfortable. "I always wanted to hide away in something really cozy," she stated. The oversized hoodies became a form of emotional armor, a way to retreat from public scrutiny and find solace in soft, enveloping fabrics. Interestingly, she noted that while the sweatshirts provided comfort, the tall boots still offered her a sense of confidence and strength amidst the turmoil.
"I genuinely, at the time, did not have the mental energy to consider clothing. So the easiest thing for me was to throw on a sweatshirt and a comfy boot, and that was how it happened," Grande revealed, highlighting how practicality and emotional need overrode any fashion considerations.
The Backdrop of Trauma: The Manchester Arena Attack
This period of emotional distress and sartorial retreat was set against the devastating backdrop of the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017. During a concert on her Dangerous Woman tour, a terrorist attack claimed the lives of 22 people and injured many more. The tragedy left an indelible mark on Grande, who has since spoken openly about living with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath.
Grande's Response and Ongoing Healing
In a powerful display of resilience, Ariana Grande paused her tour but returned to Manchester less than two weeks after the attack to headline the One Love Manchester benefit concert. This special event, which featured numerous fellow artists, was organized to honor the victims and support the affected families and community.
In a heartfelt letter to her fans that year, Grande expressed the profound and lasting impact of the event, writing that the bombing "will leave me speechless and filled with questions for the rest of my life." Her recent comments to Vogue connect her outward appearance during 2018 directly to this ongoing process of grief, healing, and emotional processing.
The interview provides a poignant reminder of how personal style can often serve as a non-verbal indicator of one's mental and emotional landscape. For Ariana Grande, the oversized hoodies of 2018 were not merely a fashion trend but a protective shell during a time of profound personal challenge and public trauma.
