perspective

Hello! I haven’t contributed to this wee blog for a short while. After being bedridden for 3 days with strep throat, things begin to pile up around you, errands need to be run, laundry needs to be done and people you have missed need to be kissed. A lot. These are the things that really matter.

I don’t know where I’m ultimately going with this blog entry but I have a few things I want to get on my chest.

First off, I want to clarify my stance on consumerism, fashion, art… and the point of this blog in general. I love a lot of things: the sciences, mathematical theory, history, literature, philosophy, international politics and economics, psychology, arts, crafts, photography, architecture, music and fashion. Fashion does seem to be the main focus here but I think I’m on the right track of having all the other things I love dotted throughout.

I started reading fashion magazines when I was inappropriately young. I never really tried to emulate any of the styles. I just enjoyed the theatrics of the editorials, the perspectives and techniques employed by the photographers, and the attention to detail of the designers and their seamstresses. The first time in my youth that I truly wanted an article of clothing to the point of desperate pleading and hysterical bratty fits (directed towards my mother) was when my still best friend Angie showed up in 3rd grade (1987) with lace-up ankle boots (much like what is in style right now) that fit her tiny feet. Her mother had found them at a thrift store so the chances of myself getting a pair of Madonna-esque “Like a Virgin” heels that fit me were slim to none. My ever-patient mother still took me all over town to try to find a pair anyhow, to no avail. The next big thing was about a decade later with those stupid stupid Doc Martens. I bought them 2 hours away at a Nordstrom in DC and slept in them that night. I did get into goth and punk and whatnot but for the most part, I dressed in the style of the boys. So you see, I never really cared that much about appearances and when I did try, things felt very awkward.

It wasn’t until I was around 20 that I realized something was off with my style. I had spent a year in a very random marriage (I’ll save that story for another time) and this odd year landed me at a crossroads where I was in a state of limbo. It was the end of dressing like a boy and the beginning of becoming an adult and I had no idea what to do. My friend and coworker at the time taught me the virtues of a good pair of bootcut jeans, interesting tops and strappy heels. My life was forever changed and fashion was no longer a spectator sport. I was finally in the game. A decade later, I now truly feel like I’m comfortable with my style decisions. I know what my limits are, I no longer feel the need to experiment (there were some doozies) and I can still appreciate what is beautiful in a magazine and never expect to emulate it. (Oh, and I’m still most comfortable dressing like one of the boys – jeans, hoodies and skate shoes.)

This brings me to this blog. I don’t ever want anyone to feel like this is the stuff that really matters in life, or that I think it is. Fashion is so far from being truly important it’s almost embarassing that I enjoy it so much. Fashion is a guilty pleasure. It’s an appreciation of things that one can adorn themselves with. It’s vain. It’s shallow. It’s a ton of fun but, a pretty dress doesn’t make you a pretty person. Good fashion sense and being a savy shopper isn’t going to win you the life you’ve always dreamed of. (Being uber trendy in a sea of people who just want to be clean and comfortable can actually make you less approachable.) When I finally began to love who I was on the inside was when I finally felt confident in/with clothing. This is no cooincidence. So, please don’t take this blog seriously. Seriously. This is just a collection of things I think are pretty, innovative, fun, or just plain sick.

The endless parade of expensive shoes/clothes purchases I see on a lot of the fashion blogs can easily make a reader feel inadequate because this is no longer the land of fantasy magazine spreads of designer clothes and celebrity photo shoots. In those days, you knew there was no way in hell anyone “normal” could afford that stuff. It was pure escapism. Now, the blogosphere consists of real people that you can really relate to, who may or may not be more financially secure than they let on, or may be getting themselves into some serious financial trouble to keep up with a certain image.

At the end of the day, my heels and adorable dress aren’t going to make me laugh and smile and feel truly wanted in this world. Being a kind and generous person who is there for those in need is what really matters. It’s still okay to appreciate the pretty once in a while.

Tagged as: fashion, priorities, self-improvement