Number One Accessory

Put down the sunglasses and take off your pearls. Quit rifling through your closet in search of your Louis Vuitton bag. Hang up your ties. Throw out the hairpieces. Shelve your hats. Most difficult (and I do apologize most profusely for this borderline blasphemy) place those Jimmy Choo’s back in the box! The truth is all of these are fantastic ways to accentuate an outfit, but they aren’t a necessity. There is only one thing that you must have, and that, is confidence.

I was in the library studying and a group of loud girls walked by. I glanced towards them and found one particular outfit phenomenal. So much so, that I had to go and ask where she bought it. The entire outfit consisted of jeans, tank top, and a simple sweater. But it was mahvelous. She worked it by screaming vibes of confidence. As I turned to go, I saw her friend in a great silk sheath dress with chunky modern jewelry and black boots. I hadn’t even noticed her. She was clearly uncomfortable in her outfit and my gaze had moved right past her. The girl who looked like an apparition from a fashion magazine came across as less fashionable than her friend, simply because she lacked the confidence to carry off her outfit.
Be the girl with poise and confidence. Then even on your casual days you will stand out from the crowd.

A World of Blues

Project Runway this week was a real upset as far as who won and who was eliminated. For those who have been keeping pace, you know that designer Ricky has been consistently in the bottom. This time he managed to churn out the winning dress (on right). The losing garment was designed by Victorya (on left). Surprising, because in general she has received high scores. The big question is, what happened?

Victorya was onto something when she sewed the jean inside out. She was the only one to attempt that technique. She just executed it sloppily. She failed to put together a cohesive garment.

Ricky, however, was on his game. He presented not only a finished garment, but one that the judges considered to be iconic. But, he was one of 4 designers who put together a dress. The dress hardly showcases any real originality.

The use of jean as an American icon challenge is a stroke of genius. Denim is an essential for every mode of life. Let’s face it, there’s nothing that is quite as comfortable, or as versatile. You can dress it up with heels, belt, bag, and blouse, or dial it down with low-key shorts and tennis shoes or flops.

A few tips for selecting your own jeans are: the lighter the wash; the more casual it appears, darker washes are easier to dress-up and have the added benefit of a slimming effect, and too many details can detract from the rest of your look, as well as, add weight.

Ugly Duckling Syndrome

Now that I'm in my 20's, I love fashion. But my first run in with it was bad. I was a tomboy. Not the cute, energetic, ponytail, baseball cap kind. No, I was the girl with boy’s t-shirts and baggy jeans. You know the type. The one who plays sports with the boys, wears grass stains and blood as badges of honor, and whose only friends are male. Now, in middle school it’s o.k., but at fourteen, you are expected to have grown out of it.

Mom tried desperately to get me into something stylish. I refused, adamantly. Until, the new guy came. It only took seeing Adonis reincarnated to make me want to look like, well, a girl. My mom took great delight in making me over from head to toe. The next day came, and it worked! He talked to me. But, bliss turned hellish the instant P.E. began. I had become just ‘another one of the girls’ overnight. Not one of my male friends knew what to do with me. Worse, trying to run in my oh-so-cute shoes was difficult and painful.

I realized then two of the most valuable lessons of fashion: that it is meant to be personalized, and shouldn‘t be done for someone else. It is not supposed to limit your actions, but augment your life. Wearing things you don‘t like for anyone is a bad plan! Never turn from a duckling into a swan, if you are meant to be a flamingo.

Well? What are you waiting for? Go match your wardrobe to you and your lifestyle! After all, you wouldn’t pair a Prada bag with tennis shoes. I hope.