When I chose the outfits for this post, I went with my favorites as opposed to reader favorites…
THE STORY
…As I chose the outfits that I wanted to feature, an interesting pattern emerged. Not only do I have an obviously eclectic style, nine of the twelve outfits all reminded me of something special in regard to either the day that I wore them or the outfit itself. The remaining three? I simply felt fabulous when I was wearing them. I did not do this consciously, it just happened. I didn’t even realize it until I was organizing the collage.
For example, the pink coat outfit in January I wore on the day that I took senior pictures of my bestie’s son. That was the first time I had done photography that major for someone else. I mean these were the boy’s senior pictures. For the yearbook. To memorialize his senior year forever. No pressure, right? The mixed print kimono over the black slip dress is what I wore on the first day that I was officially able to wear two shoes after my foot surgery.
The gingham shirt outfit was featured on the Target website…can I tell you how exciting that was?! The gray jeans/graphic tee combo I wore when my love and I celebrated our anniversary last year. And the burgundy velvet maxi I wore to the wedding of my childhood bestie’s daughter; and more importantly my son took the shots for me which made it twice as special. Anyhow, this all got me thinking.
People who aren’t into clothes or fashion oftentimes think that clothing is trivial and that those who have a love of fashion are shallow or frivolous. I’m here to tell you that simply is not the case. Clothes, whether it be individual pieces or an entire outfit, can make or break how we feel about ourselves on any given day. Think about it. How do you feel on a day that you schlub around in you pj’s as opposed to a day when you’re wearing something really killer?
Our outfits can alter the persona we choose to share with the world. Feeling rebellious? Pull out your leather moto jacket and pair it with shredded jeans. Feeling ladylike? Then put on that pencil skirt and pumps and pile on the pearls. Did you wake up feeling a princess vibe? Velvet, lace or tulle will fit the bill. See what I mean?
Perhaps most importantly, our clothing can be linked to our memories much like music or a particular fragrance. Clinique “Happy” will forever take me back to the early 90’s right after my son was born, and a good Journey power ballad has the power to transport me right back to a kegger/bonfire party in a field when I was in high school. The same is true of outfits. Looking at or wearing an outfit that you wore on a significant day has the very same power. It can transport you, take you back, remind you of important details that you might have otherwise forgotten.
So the next time someone comments on the frivolity of fashion, smile quietly to yourself and think, “You my friend, are really missing out on the power of a good outfit…”
THE OUTFITS
I’m not going to go into detail on the outfits because obviously, that would be a lot of detail. Suffice it to say, I’m not locked into any one particular style. Depending on the day, my mood or the event, I can mix it up with the best of ’em. And that, my friends is perfectly okay. I’m not trying to be something that I’m not, I’m simply being who I am on that particular day.
And if you do have one particular style that you stick to as if your life depends on it? That’s okay too. That is the simple beauty of fashion; it’s one of the few areas where we have absolute control over who we are and what we want to express about ourselves to the rest of the world.
THE TIP
Enjoy your clothes. Enjoy getting dressed. Enjoy your own personal style…and remember, what you wear really does matter.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
January/February
March/April
May/June
July/August
September/October
November/December
