Bowties and Britches

These past few weeks have been so refreshing. No school, no tests, no homework, no NOTHING. It's been great. My flight to New York leaves on the 3rd and I sure ain't lookin' back. Well not until Thanksgiving at least. Ha.

I was looking through some old photo albums yesterday and found some hilarious pictures of myself from the younger (and less fashion-forward) years of my life. I was a mess. I had the same haircut for just about 12 years (parted almost down the middle, large, and puffy). I wore some interesting color combinations. Truthfully, I didn't care what people thought. How refreshing is that?

I would be lying if I said I didn't care what people think about me. Truth is, I probably care far too much. But ... in my defense, I live and work in a world where image is everything. To get ahead, you have to look like you belong in that next room, or the next tier, or that swanky party. I want to be where the people are. I wanna see them dancing. Unfortunately, you can't do that if you look like shit. So... fashion became a hobby of mine.

Colors and styles are the two things I think I have come the closest to mastering. I love clothes. I really do love them. Intricate and exotic styles of garments appeal to me the most. On myself, I tend to dress very preppy with a dash of complexity mixed in. Say, slacks, a dress shirt, vest and penny loafers. Except my penny loafers may be yellow. Or my shirt may be an explosive green plaid pattern.

Style, I believe, is one of the most important parts of a person's life that should be totally you. Individual style can make or break first impressions. If you are confident about your style, it will show. I love when I see a girl/guy waltzing down the street with a kick in their step and they look totally outta this world. Whether it's crazy fishnet stockings or a structured jacket that gives them the strut, i live for it.

I remember the first designer item I bought was a $220 Ralph Lauren shawl-necked cardigan when I was 15 years old. I thought I was the absolute shit. I actually still have that sweater and may pull it out in ten years and call it 'vintage' but until then it sits near the back of my closet as a trophy of my fashion renaissance. I have definitely evolved since then. Even in the last three years, I've come into my own 'time line' of fashion interests.

I suppose I've always wanted to mimic the great sartorialists of my time, like my grandfather. He never leaves the house without suiting up. [Side note: He even went to the beach with suit on... How inappropriate but totally amazing is that?!]. I mimic these men because they have individual styles that never get old. They are, essentially, timeless.

Learn from those you admire the most. Take pride in your look and make sure you are always confident. Anyone can look good. Let me repeat that ... anyone can look good. This is true no matter your shape, size, color or height. Fashion can work if you learn to confidently dress your body to look its absolute best. You'll notice a change ... I won't spoil it and tell you what it is, but just take a closer look at how people react to you. I promise it's a life-changing metamorphosis.