Finding Vision in Fashion: How Blindness Shaped My Style
A personal journey of self-expression, overcoming stereotypes, and redefining fashion through the lens of disability.
Natalie Trevonne never considered herself a fashion lover growing up. Jeans and T-shirts were her daily uniform, and shopping trips with her mom usually ended with family frustration over her reluctance to pick out dresses or accessorize. That uncomplicated relationship with clothes changed dramatically as Natalie’s vision began to fade—a journey that transformed not just her personal style, but her approach to self-expression, advocacy, and the fashion industry itself.
Clouds Descend: A Journey Into Blindness
Natalie’s journey began early, when she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as a baby, knowing the condition could affect not just her joints, but also her eyes. At around age 11, she noticed ‘clouds’ obscuring her vision—an ominous warning of what was to follow as the condition progressively worsened.
- Vision fluctuated with periods of correction and relapse
- Multiple eye surgeries provided only temporary relief
- Intravenous drugs intended to help instead brought fatigue, nausea, and dizziness in adolescence
By age 18, the relentless cycle of treatments and disappointments ended with a difficult but liberating decision: to embrace life as a legally blind woman, abandoning further attempts to “fix” her eyes. This new reality brought mixed emotions—relief from hospital routines, but anxiety about learning how to function with very limited sight.
Understanding Blindness: Challenging Stereotypes
Public perception of blindness remains deeply flawed, according to Natalie. The stereotype: total darkness, white canes, inert helplessness. The reality: blindness exists on a spectrum. Her own experience is defined by light reception—she can see bright colors and roughly discern shapes—but most people with vision loss have some degree of usable sight, and a wide range of abilities.
- Blindness spectrum: from complete absence of sight to partial or light perception
- Misconceptions: Blind people only wear black, don’t care about clothing, or lack personal agency
- Reality: Blind people have diverse interests, aesthetic sensibilities, and capabilities
Natalie’s story serves as a corrective to these misconceptions—demonstrating how style and self-expression can thrive even when conventional visual cues are limited.
Fashion Before and After Blindness: A New Relationship
Fashion was not always central to Natalie’s life. Before losing her sight, style choices were limited and pragmatic; she gravitated toward comfort over glamour. But as she entered college and became more aware of her self-image, she realized the potential of clothes not just to blend in, but to stand out—as a means to control her own narrative and educate others about the possibilities of disabled creativity.
- Style became a point of connection—and occasional curiosity—in social settings
- Outfits served as icebreakers with classmates
- Conversations around accessories provided opportunities for advocacy and representation
Natalie’s evolving style empowered her to step out of the ‘weird blind girl’ mold and construct her identity anew, using fashion as both shield and spotlight.
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The Tactile Power of Shopping
Shopping as a legally blind woman required a complete reimagining of how to experience clothing. For Natalie, tactile exploration became the key to understanding and selecting garments in stores.
- Uses a cane to navigate racks, searching by touch
- Assesses garments for tactile details: pockets, buttons, zippers, and textured fabrics
- Visualizes outfits mentally before assembling them physically
- Utilizes raised stripes and other textured features to keep track of favorite pieces in her closet
For Natalie, the sensory act of shopping shifts the focus from sight to touch—allowing her to compose a wardrobe that is memorable, functional, and fun.
Technology and Accessibility: Barriers in the Fashion Industry
Despite innovations in retail and online shopping, Natalie underscores the ongoing hurdles faced by disabled consumers. Digital platforms often lack basic accessibility features, making it difficult for blind shoppers to participate in the same experiences enjoyed by their sighted peers.
- Screen readers: Most shopping websites are incompatible or poorly optimized
- Site navigation: Buttons and links lack descriptive labels; images are rarely paired with audible explanations
- Inclusive design: Limited options for disabled users, resulting in exclusion from mainstream retail channels
This lack of access distances blind shoppers from fashion’s creative and social possibilities—highlighting a major gap in the industry’s commitment to inclusion.
Advocacy Through Creativity: The Birth of Fashionably Tardy
Confronted with the disconnect between disability and fashion, Natalie turned to storytelling and advocacy, launching the podcast Fashionably Tardy with her friend Melissa Lomax in 2020.
- Podcast focuses on amplifying disabled voices in the fashion industry
- Interviews with notable guests: designers of BruceGlen, director of global trends at MAC
- Discussions revolve around accessible design, creative possibility, and breaking stereotypes
The project seeks to bridge the divide between disabled consumers and fashion, providing a platform for inspiration, education, and change.
Defining Personal Style: A Shift Toward Envisioning
Asked to describe her style, Natalie laughs: “I just wear what I want.” The rigidity of labels gives way to fluidity and exploration. She favors current trends, playful colors, and an openness to new ideas.
- Fashion is what you envision, not what you visualize
- Emphasis on personal agency and creative interpretation
- Aspirations for a world where style is accessible to everyone
Natalie’s attitude foregrounds the emotional impact of fashion: “When you look good, you feel good.” Her self-expression becomes a blueprint for building self-confidence and joy, regardless of ability.
Misconceptions About Blindness and Fashion
| Misinformation | Reality |
|---|---|
| Blind people cannot be fashionable | Blind people actively engage with style and self-expression |
| Blindness means total lack of vision | Blindness is a spectrum; many have some functional sight |
| Disabled shoppers don’t care about trends | Disabled individuals value on-trend, cute, and colorful clothing |
| Online shopping is accessible to all | Most e-commerce platforms lack disability accommodations |
Blindness and Style: Key Takeaways
- Blindness redefined Natalie’s connection to fashion and self-image.
- Tactile exploration turned clothing selection into a creative practice.
- Disability advocacy is intertwined with aesthetic innovation.
- Accessible design in retail and digital fashion remains an urgent priority.
- Personal style is an act of imagination—shaped as much by envisioning as by seeing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can blind people express themselves through fashion?
A: Yes, blind individuals use tactile cues, creativity, and personal inspiration to develop unique styles and communicate their identity.
Q: How can clothing designers make fashion more accessible?
A: Designers should incorporate tactile textures, clear labeling, easy-to-use closures, and partner with adaptive advocates to ensure their lines are more inclusive.
Q: What technologies assist blind shoppers in retail environments?
A: Screen readers, audio descriptions, and tactile signage improve accessibility, but many online platforms still lack these features, signaling a need for better innovation.
Q: What is a common misconception about blind shoppers?
A: Many assume blind people don’t care about appearance, but personal style often carries great meaning and serves as a source of confidence and joy.
Q: What is Fashionably Tardy?
A: Fashionably Tardy is a podcast founded by Natalie Trevonne and Melissa Lomax, dedicated to sharing stories and insights from disabled creatives in the fashion industry.
Conclusion: Reimagining Fashion’s Possibilities
Natalie Trevonne’s experience demonstrates that fashion is not about perfect vision—it’s about vivid imagination, tactile discovery, and bold self-expression. As the industry slowly wakes up to the realities of disability, her journey offers lessons in empathy, creativity, and advocacy. Accessibility and representation are not optional extras, but vital pillars for inclusive style. With more voices like Natalie’s leading the way, the future of fashion promises to be more imaginative, more diverse, and more welcoming to all.
Natalie Trevonne is a designer, writer, actor, and dancer. Keep up with her on Instagram @NatalieTrevonne.
Written by Belle Bakst, a journalist and advocate for the blind who is also visually impaired following eye enucleation at age 5. Follow her at @LittleFashionStylist.
References
- https://www.scribd.com/document/612984401/Cosmopolitan-USA-The-Mental-Health-Issue-6-202
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/a41204893/natalie-trevonne-personal-essay/
- https://www.nottingham-connection.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019-connection.pdf
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/personal-essays/
- https://www.scribd.com/document/827518151/OceanofPDF-com-Cosmopolitan-USA-The-Love-Issue-Spring-2025-Cosmopolitan-USA
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/4246049.pdf
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