About Fashion

When I was  asked to write about what fashion means to me,  the first thing that came to mind was: Fashion is Spinach.  I realized, of course, that this is not an answer, so before I began this post, I decided to look at Wikipedia's definition of fashion and here's what it had to say:

Fashion, a general term for the style and custom prevalent at a given time, in its most common usage refers to costume or clothing style.

The more technical term, costume, has become so linked in the public eye with the term "fashion" that the more general term "costume" has in popular use mostly been relegated to special senses like fancy dress or masquerade wear, while the term "fashion" means clothing generally, and the study of it. 

Interesting definition.  Quite general, in fact.

So, what does it mean to me?  First and foremost, it means choice.  Fashion is something that I can chose to accept or not accept.  I can take some of it and leave the rest.  It's one of those areas of life, where I have control.

Because I dress according to mood, fashion is the vehicle I use to express myself.  Every item I put on my body is there for a reason and that reason is generally only known to me.  My own little secret.  So powerful, these decisions.

 Fashion forms the basis for my personal style.  With so many choices, I can pick and choose what I want to put on my body, and when I feel that the choices offered by retail do not suit me ... I sew.
It's a beautiful thing.

Recently, I have realized that I am touched by fashion every day, in fact, several times a day...and each time I have a choice.  I can choose to be fashionable (as in trendy) or I can rebel against conventional fashion and go for something that tells the world that I'm not terribly interested in its opinions.

Or maybe, I just want to show that I'm a part of a community.

Being anti-fashion is a style that I adopt for many occasions.  Sometimes I choose my clothes simply for their shock value.

Sometimes I'm in a good mood and want to convey how much fun I've having or wish to have any particular day.

Perhaps I want comfort so I adopt a practical look that is still polished, but allows me to move around during the day.  I have a work look.  I have a weekend look.  Sometimes that weekend look consists of pajamas.  And recently, on the days that I just don't want to face the world and want to drape myself in black, I do the opposite.  Pick happy colors and fun accessories because I don't actually want to share that outlook with the world.  Or maybe I just want to cheer myself up.

You see, fashion allows me to tell you about the many facets of me.  Unless you see me everyday, you only get a part of the story.  The part I wish to tell you.  See me often enough and you learn that I am a bit of a free spirit, that there is an inner bohemian that lives within me.  You see the punk rock influence from my younger days and see that much of the rebellion again the "establishment" is still there.  You'll learn that I love classic clothing and have an appreciation for the shapes of the 50s and 60s.

You'll wonder when I'm going to leave on safari and that I love textiles.  You'll see that I don't always follow the rules and, very often, will break them just because I can.

 You will see a conservative women who seeks to control her environment and you'll see a woman that thrives in chaos. You'll wonder if this is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius or if I just returned from a Depeche Mode concert.  You'll guess about my age and wonder if I own a pair of sensible shoes. 

You'll see so my costume jewerly that you'll wonder where I store it. You'll see over-the-top vintage jewelry and funky belts and wonder where I get the guts to wear them.

Fashion allows me to put things in my closet that I love.  It allows me to nurture my inner child who still loves to play dress up--only now I play in my own closet.  Fashion provides a place for me to express the freedom I desire inside my heart.  It allows me to survive in a corporate world because every day when I prepare for work, I make sure that one item on my body (whether you can see it or not) reflects the real me and not the me that has a dress code to observe.  Fashion allows me, at my age, to continue to play.

You see, I'm unique, just like you.  I'm complicated, just like you.  And I use fashion to speak to the world and the message is whatever I desire it to be that day.  It may mean everything or it may mean nothing to me.  Just know that it's deliberate because it's one of the few things where I can exercise my choice and not be overruled by anyone else.  In the end it's simply this: my body, my story, my decisions.

And on some days, like today, my message was specific:  

1. Welcome Spring.  Winter... go away!
2. Yes, I am your reader for Mass today.
3. Dear Liberty of London and Target -- no matter how big you make those black buttons, I'm still not wearing black shoes!

Thanks for dropping by.  Happy Easter!

(All the clothes in this post were made by me, with the exception of the jeans, incredibly scary acid wash jean jacket (now retired), t-shirt and the last dress and jacket set, which is Liberty of London for Target).