In Defense of Fashion

Because Michael Pollan has changed the way I look at food, I think it’s time I change the way you look at fashion. More specifically your personal style. It’s time to embrace what you want to say to the world.  I’m quite serious about this. I even have my serious face on…right now. See? And because I need a catchy tagline, I’ll gladly keep stealing from Mr. Pollan: Buy clothes, not a lot, mostly accessories.

If you’re reading this, you know me. You know that I’ve got a thing for clothes and hair. (More on hair later – maybe a guest post from my stylist, aka Magic Hands.) If you’re still reading you know me really well and are such a good friend for humoring me. I can’t turn it off, whatever this thing is and I don’t remember when it began. I wasn’t aware of it until an acquaintance in high school offered me this back-handed gem, “I love the way you dress without caring what anyone thinks of you.” Admittedly, my style was a bit more, eh, eccentric back then. I can tell you that I still remember my favorite shoes and outfits starting from about 3 years old. My red and green rubber-toed sneakers,  my miniature clogs, my Dr. Schol’s sandals, my translucent pink jellies, shall I continue? My lavender pleated skirt with matching turtleneck sweater that I wore the first day of school, my green velor dress with crocheted collar, my weird obsession with Fido Dido (who was not a mascot for soda when I discovered him), and my wonderfully geometric Pena House ensembles. Yes, I imprinted young.

Being fashion conscious has a bad rap. Every community I’m a part of has prevailing notions about women who dress to impress. I disagree with most of them. We’ve all heard that women dress for other women in an effort to compete. I’ll agree with that in part. Sure I think about being seen, but a large part of my focus is on the creation of an outfit itself. The feeling I get is similar to when I make something – sewing, knitting, whatever – but there are no strict patterns to follow (at least for me) and that makes it enjoyable on another level. I simply love it when I can come up with something I’ve never worn before, just working from my closet of decade old clothes. I dress for me – it’s just who I am. I suppose there is a body of fashionistas that use style as a weapon, but they’re pretty easy to spot and you can just grab one of their Jimmy Choo stilettos and hobble them or engage in a game of keep away.

The world of mommies offers it’s own field of landmines. SAHMs should look like this, Workies should dress like this, blah, blah. I don’t buy it. Wear what you want, when you want, to the places you want. I don’t think dressing up to go to your parent/teacher conference is evil. And I don’t think showing up in your sweatpants and pj top is off limits either. I’ve done both. Clothing shouldn’t restrict  you. (Although I’m sure my neighbors are quite tired of seeing my flannel pajamas.) It is utilitarian after all. Certainly comfort and practicality has taken over these last few years, but don’t deny me my Fancy Nancy Days! Don’t tell me how a mom is supposed to dress – that’s my son’s job.

I cannot leave my defense without disagreeing with the idea that paying attention to your appearance or your personal style makes you less religious or less spiritual. Nor does it follow that matronly and homely automatically make you some kind of saint. Fortunately that stuff depends on our thoughts, actions, and intentions. Feisty much? You betcha. I am disheartened by the number of times people have confessed very politely that when they first met me they thought I must be shallow, vapid, lacking in intelligence and other interests. (My apologies to those of you who still think that.) Come on, it’s fun, and it’s not all that different from those pursuits that can’t be worn.

I also have women tell me, “you can get away with that but I could never….” YES YOU CAN! All you have to do is just do it. At first people may wonder, but just keep on doing it and they’ll adjust. Buy the trends you like, make fun of the ones you don’t and try not to wear a trend you are old enough to remember. (What’s that? Oh, it’s my leggings screaming something from the closet.) Don’t like shopping? Get thee online. It makes it easy and you don’t have to leave your house or buy the tshirt your kid wiped their chocolatey hands on.  Buy clothes, not a lot, mostly accessories. Accessories can change anything you own. Hats are the most delightful way to deal with a bad hair day! I’ve probably only bought a handful of new things in the past 2 years (scouts honor). Refashion your stuff; I just took scissors to an old denim skirt last week. It’s so eco-chic. I’m seriously considering taking the wardrobe refashion challenge. Get ideas from the stores you like, from the people on the street. (I am shameless about asking people where they find their clothes.) Be comfortable, own it, and don’t apologize for it. The other thing is, being a walking billboard should stop by the time you’re 20. Expensive or not, don’t let your clothes wear you. Let’s not be slaves women and metrosexuals! Let’s harness ingenuity! Above all be flexible, it’s just clothing after all. *wink*

Please pick up your Fashion Motivational Camp badges as you exit. Thanks for coming!