Finding your inner fashion

My daughter: A look at the past

Seeing with the mind’s eye gowns of the most beautiful fabric – and doodling and spinning outrageous stories – were my favorite pastimes when I was a young girl.

I would draw upon pages – reams – of paper, that I was sure I would be a fashion designer when I grew up. But logic kicked in – and panic – so I took up broadcasting and law instead (uhm).

And so my drawing – and fashion – fell at the wayside and I did not take it a notch higher, nor did I apply it to how I actually dressed (I do not think I had the choice). So yes, I was not really a fashionista at that age (I have pictures!). I would dress with the clothes my mom has given me – and well, my practical mom did not have an eye for fashion (I have pictures!).

And so for a while, and for most of my teenage life, I was lost. Fashion cost money then – and it costs money now – and money is not available to precocious kids who daydream of clothes. But I remember putting on my best dangling earrings – at 12 – and would just strut it out (must have looked funny).

As I grew older, I became more conservative with clothes and my earrings and my colors. Black in fact is my color of choice, and the dark browns.  When people comment about my fashion sense (I have it? Really?) – I am always taken aback, and I go back to the time when it did mean something to me.

But fashion is gaining a resurgence in my life – I do not know if it is because of the recent post in BlogHer, social media, or the many magazines I read in spas and salons, or just the wonderful collections they have in the small boutiques.  Most are still out of my price range – my mom’s practicality probably got into me somehow– but as shown by TV (E! for one), fashion can be had for less. Here’s my two cents:

1. You should have at least one each of what they call the classics – the little black dress, the black pumps, the pearl earrings and necklace (think Audrey Hepburn), the big black bag, the suit, the outerwear and the luxurious leather jacket – as expensive as you can afford but nothing to break the bank.
2. Know the colors that flatter you – and in the same breath – be wary of bargains. It is the colored items that usually go on sale but they are so hard to pair up with what you already have that they end up languishing in your closet. Not good.
3. Accessorize. Nothing can jazz up the day than tasteful but fake jewelry, or a brooch, or a shawl, or a hair piece. They can be conversation pieces too. Personally, I am partial to antique-looking pieces.
4. Read magazines and cut the pictures out. I never really gave magazines much thought until I realized their value. They can make you think about the oddities that are in your closet – and the possibilities.
5. Wear heels. Heels make you look taller (well) and complete the professional-go-getter look. But practice. A tumble in them heels will not be a pretty sight.
6. Make-up is fashion. Though you are dressed to the nines, if you do not have rouge on your cheeks and lips, and tint shadowing your eyes, you will not look so put together.
7. Dare. I say this with caution, but what is living if we cannot live dangerously some of the time? Yes, don that animal print, or those Daisy Duke shorts, but also know that others may live to tell the tale.
8. Be comfortable. When finding your fashion voice, live on the edge, but ask yourself a few questions – will you be taking the bus, meeting the boss, meeting clients, sit on your computer, hop from one venue to another…? Again, those mishaps may cost you some (social) points.
9. Hair. Should it be up, or down, curled or straight? Hair makes everything look just right. Know your audience and do this right.
10. Smile. It is the best fashion statement you can make. It is always wonderful to look at a person whose eyes are twinkling. You can actually forgive a person who smiles – and means it – anything.

Good luck – and have fun figuring out your inner fashion!

Article and Photo by Issa. Copyright 2009-2012.
website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
email: issa@youwanttoberich.com

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