Favorite Things: Ashley Medina and her black hoodies

Ashley Medina is a hairstylist recognized for her creative cuts where she etches designs into her clients’ hair. She’s also known for obsession with mullets, which spurred her to create the Mid-Michigan Mullet Club. 

I can’t remember exactly when I started wearing a hoodie, but it’s for sure been two-and-a-half years. I purchase more of them every chance I get. I’ve realized that this style fits me just right. It’s just what I like; it’s perfect. I have 13 of them now. 

I didn’t realize until very recently that my hoodies actually have sentimental value to me. Being a minimalist is kind of how I roll. I wear the same thing everyday — the same pants and the same shoes. I purchase more of them when they get worn out. The hoodies in particular, well I’m so used to wearing them that I forget how I feel when I’m not wearing them. Recently, I had a couple events where I was asked to wear something else. 

One of them being a wedding, so obviously I wore something else, of course. The other was a photo shoot with a boho desert theme. Believe me, if I could have found a way to make a hoodie work, I would have worn one. But I couldn’t, so I had to wear something else. On the way there, I was getting a lot of anxiety. I almost teared up. I didn’t feel like myself. The pictures turned out great, and I look fine. But I don’t think I look exactly like myself. 

My hoodies give me confidence because I feel like they suit my personal style and I feel the most attractive when I’m wearing them. I have insecurities I don’t realize I have until I’m not wearing a hoodie. I have insecurities because of my weight, or lack thereof. I’ve always been very thin. I think hoodies flatter my body the best, because they add a little weight.

On social media I come across as a very confident person, but I thought it was a valuable learning experience for me when I realized that I do have insecurities and I can be vulnerable, and that’s OK. 

As a hairstylist, I’m somebody people turn to for advice on style. There is always that whole first impression thing, I do like to look cool. If you’re looking for somebody to give you advice on style, you want it to look like it’s important to them. That’s an important element to why I love my hoodies as well.  

I also like my hoodies because they are functional. They provide warmth year round, whether it’s the winter or summertime, when the AC is cranked up everywhere. They provide a safety net. It might just be mental, but when I’m in public and need to hide, or when I feel nervous or vulnerable, it’s almost like a blankie or something comforting like that. 

Interview edited and condensed by Skyler Ashley. If you have a suggestion for Favorite Things, please email Skyler@lansingcitypulse.com

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