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From the window of room D in an office building downtown, I can see buildings where people conduct business and I can see buildings where people rest their heads. I imagine how the movement of people varies depending on the time of day; morning and night they fill the residential buildings, while during the day they occupy the business buildings. Where I currently sit I see one man on the top floor wearing a suit and another below him sporting only a shirt and tie (with pants of course). Now take away the physical building and what you see are stacks of people going from one stack to the other (I thought the visual amusing and significant). Without the floors and walls separating us, there is nothing to keep us segregated.
Our clothes are as compartmentalized as our lives. Instinctively, throughout our lives we separate our clothing into categories: school clothes, work clothes, Sunday clothes and evening clothes. For those who wear uniforms, the line is even sharper.
Law: Integrate your clothing
Contrary to my usual laws phrased in the negative, I am stating this one in the positive.
Clothing deserves to be loved and worn frequently, not just to your cousin's wedding or to walk the dog.
When my mother said I could never wear that shiny brocade skirt during the day, what did I do? I paired it with an embellished t-shirt, slouchy boots and wore it to brunch.
The lesson is to wear your clothing during all events of your lives...just style the item differently depending on the occasion. That suit jacket can be worn on the weekend with jeans and that sundress can be worn to the office with a cardigan and belt. Just be aware of hemlines; the sight of inner thigh does not inspire confidence when you are arguing for a client's restraining order.
There is one building across the way which is obviously a place of work, but boosts a door with access to the roof and two lounge chairs. With the combination of leisure and work, I can't wait to see what the people who walk through that door will be wearing.
This post is in response to the abundant fashion sites I peruse on a daily basis that highlight everyday women in their street clothes describing their style. While these women are featured for their ability to inspire others with their fashion aptitude, I am reminded of the numerous others who hide behind verbal justifications.When someone is asked to describe their personal style, they use words that are positive in nature. People usually think the way they dress is pretty great--otherwise they would not dress as such. Behind the seemingly harmless, well-intentioned adjectives are often disturbing, ill-conceived looks. A black hole of fashion cliches exists just beyond the innocent ramblings of a lost fashion soul. Below are adjectives that often hide someone's affinity for sweatpants with sports jerseys or vinyl miniskirts with go-go boots.
Law: The following phrases should be outlawed when used as descriptions of a person's individual style.
"I like unique pieces that are timeless"; the fact that they are timeless means they have stood the test of time--hence tried, true and tested by many before you.
"Quirky"; this is translation for "I am often caught on the worst dressed list because of my hedgehog stuffed-animal handbag and tendency toward tie dyed stretch pants."
"Feminine"; I have nothing against this description if more than floral prints are implied.
"Flowy"; This is just another word for potato sack. Lets get some darts and seaming on this garment!
"Comfortable"; ex soccer players use this word to rationalize still living in their hooded sweatshirts and triple striped pants.
"Eclectic"; think Chicos linen dresses and buttonless cardigans mixed with tribal inspired jewelery--times 10.
Dressing "authentically"; This word annoys me the most because the person who uses it underhandedly patronizes everyone else's clothing choice. The definition of authentic is "not false or immitation", so I don't understand how anyone wearing clothing is inauthentic unless the clothing is made from fruit roll up. I am pretty sure if you are wearing clothing, that is about as authentic as you can get.
Portland- Don't get caught in a "What Not to Wear" moment. Get honest or get dressed!
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