2. Photograph – 19
They dress in line with current mood. For people who physically wear their emotions on their sleeves, public transit often becomes an unexpected stage. From the gently expressive to the blatantly evident, these mood-driven fashion decisions can range. Imagine a passenger dressed head-to-toe in different blue tones, precisely capturing their depressed mood, or someone wearing a blouse with a big cheerful face, radiating hope all around the carriage. These people let their fellow commuters know exactly how they’re feeling by using their clothes as a kind of nonverbal communication—that is, without speaking. This is an amazing exhibition of human psychology whereby interior states show up on outward appearances. Perhaps reflecting an inner conflict or a day full of ups and downs, you may come across someone wearing a hodgepodge of contradictory styles and colours. These mood-dressed commuters give the everyday trip some mystery and encourage others to consider the story behind their selected clothing. They essentially turn public transportation into a living, breathing mood board where the fashion choices of a city’s commuters allow one to sense its collective emotional condition.