STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Well first of all, when I put time, money, and effort into my appearance it shows. And I know this may be really vain of me, but I LIKE knowing that I look good and I look like I care about myself. I like seeing something visually appealing and knowing that it is me! And I think it shows respect for others, too, because it shows that I care about being someone who is appealing to be with, and it shows them that I care about their opinion of me.

Plus, I think putting on clothes gives you a chance to reinvent yourself every day. It gives me a chance to express myself. You can get completely different reactions from people based on what you're wearing, and people perceive you differently.

I think my favorite thing is when I buy something new, or just make up an outfit that I've never worn before from things I find in my closet, I feel like a fresher version of myself. It's an aesthetic thing, too. Some people like to paint, or draw, or sing to experience and express what beauty they can find. Of course putting together an outfit doesn't exactly work on the same level as a great painter or something, but it allows me to be a little creative and think outside the box every morning.

-- Edited by ttara123 at 18:11, 2008-01-24

Self-expression and "When you look good you feel good!"

I remember reading this short story when I was little. It was set in this futuristic land where people who were born talented or beautiful were forbidden from showing it to make sure everyone was equal. In this land, equality and sameness were very highly regarded. But the main character in the story was this beautiful dancer. And she was shrouded so no one could see her beauty. And shackled so she never got to dance. Finally she couldn't take it anymore, and she flings her cape off and dances this dance with this guy and they just let loose, they're flying through the air and mid-arabesque, the police come in and shoot her. Because she dared to break the rules and express herself. I remember being so sad at the end of the story.

When I hear about experiences like Kitty's, I think of that story. I feel like the people questioning her frivolity are really just trying to shackle her, like the beautiful dancer. But then when I hear about experiences like kenzie's, and I think well maybe some people really just don't get it, like kenzie's boyfriend. So let me try and explain.

A lot of things move me, and inspire me. They make me happy to be alive. And I find them in various and sundry places. Idina Menzel singing in Wicked. My best friend's baby curling up like a caterpillar when she's sleeping. John Locke writing his labor theory of property. And fashion. The fit of a dress. The cut of a pair of pants. How awesome I look when it all comes together. I once walked into Nanette Lepore and bought a dress off the display mannequin. I tried it on and wore it out. As I was at the cash register, I was talking to the salesgirl and she introduced me to the woman next to her--it was Nanette Lepore herself. I said Oh my gosh I love your clothes! And she said that dress looks absolutely fabulous on you. She made my day. I felt beautiful and special and I was happy to share it with the world. And I felt so lucky to be able to do so. And I don't understand why I should be robbed of that joy.

I also have something to say about all the people who think fashion is frivolous. When I'm out shopping, are these people saving the world? Reading Nietzsche? Who are they to cast stones? Or maybe they are experiencing the world and finding beauty in another way, a way I don't understand. Like watching football or playing golf or enjoying really tasty food. I would never cast aspersions on them for doing so. So I would hope and expect that they would grant me the same courtesy.

I'd definitely echo what everyone else has said about self-expression! I love playing with different colors, patterns, textures, shapes, proportions to create a pleasing composition. And it's also really important to me to look reasonably put-together at work, most especially when I'm meeting clients--because I want to look polished and professional, and also because I work in a visual industry, so I feel it's important to show a bit of creativity and taste in how I dress.

esquiress wrote:

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I also have something to say about all the people who think fashion is frivolous. When I'm out shopping, are these people saving the world? Reading Nietzsche? Who are they to cast stones? Or maybe they are experiencing the world and finding beauty in another way, a way I don't understand. Like watching football or playing golf or enjoying really tasty food. I would never cast aspersions on them for doing so. So I would hope and expect that they would grant me the same courtesy.

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esquiress wrote:

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I remember reading this short story when I was little 

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That story is 'Harrison Bergeron' by the late, great Kurt Vonnegut. What a great reference, and amazing story about Nannette Lepore!

This is a great question. I love clothes, I'm not sure I like "fashion."

I have a really good eye for color, shape and size/scale. The best way I can explain it is that some special part of my brain tells me when something "looks right" or not. I want things to look like I want.

I have used this exact same part of my brain whether I'm building and decorating my house/garden, dressing my body, when I dabbled in graphic design, in other professional capacities such as when I worked in an advertising agency, and doing displays when I worked in retail clothing. For some reason I can translate LOOK into FEEL really well, even seemingly silly perceptions like "that font is unfriendly" or "this needs more pink."

I have spent a lot of time and effort making sure that people feel warm, even vaguely inspired or connected to your inner self in our family room, so we can have great conversations. You should feel relaxed and groovy in our dining room so we can linger a long time over wine together. You should feel genteel in the guest bedroom and peppy and cute in the guest bathroom. And so on. I chose every-bloody-element with a purpose and vision, like the exact size and placement of windows and every single outlet and light switch.

I'm equally careful about how I personally choose to look on a given day or for a given occasion. Proportion, color, how things work together or don't, down to minutae like a ring on my finger. Control freak does not begin to describe it, nor does mere self expression, because beyond expression, it's a form of communication. So like picking a certain wall color to communicate "formal," I'll pick a jacket that communicates "nonconfrontational" or shoes that communicate "unyielding" if that's how I want people to feel about me at that time.

I'm sure this sounds psychotic! Gaah.

I value looking good and feeling good because I look good.  Clothes, up-to-date style, makeup, hair, etc. are the tools I use to achieve that feeling.  They also provide a creative outlet for me and a challenge to try to solve nearly every day.  Some people use comfortable clothes, exercise, natural appearance to make them feel good.

I like pretty things. I like to look pretty and be surrounded by pretty pieces and fashion is just an extension of that.

Ya know what? I think all the people who say fashion is frivolous and a waste of money/time/effort are probably just saying that as a way to defend the fact that they look frumpy.