This isn't my typical post type but our Lord told me to write tonight on fashion. Back in the day, I was a fashion consultant of sorts. Fashion is in my bloodline - smiles. My father, in his day, was voted best dressed...
Anyhow, when I was in the world, I was considered one of the best dressed in my circle. When I became a Christian more than thirty years ago, fashion continued to be a favorite "occupation" of mine. Well, as I grew in our Lord, He informed me that I had allowed fashion to become a god in my life. Ouch!
It took years for me to be purged of that obsession. About five or six years ago, our Lord told me to streamline and to simplify my wardrobe. My three favorite colors, in order, are black, red and white with animal prints close in there. Our Lord told me to streamline with those colors as my base with other colors used, sparingly, as accent pieces.
Our Lord has given me permission to keep it real here so here goes. It is due, I believe, to ignorance and lack of teaching, that some Christian women dress homely and unattractive. They define modest as dry in appearance. On the other hand, some Christian women are at the other extreme. They dress flamboyantly with, in my opinion, too much going on. There's a balance to be struck.
We can be holy and dress with flavor and appeal. Recently, I saw a photo of Jane Fonda, who is in her seventies. She was dressed in a stunning figure flattering gown and she rocked in it! The gown wasn't revealing. She looked gorgeous. In contrast, I saw photos of younger celebrity women with thigh high slits in their gowns, breast exposure, etc. Jane, in her seventies looked stunning, and they didn't. My heart goes out to those who dress revealingly, because they obviously don't know...
I admire the fashion choices of older women who dress to complement the mature age ranges - no unappealing short garments, or youthful looking attire. Instead our choices are pieces that are flattering for the mature in age - attractive, stylish, classic, and chic.
When I view some of the fashions worn by some of the celebrities, I wonder. I wish for appealing fashion makeovers for most of them. A few exceptions are Halle Barry, Renee Zellweger, and Nicole Kidman though they have made their rare poor fashion choices - haven't we all?
And what is up with all of these hair extensions? When did real hair go out of style? - not for all but for a bunch of folks? Understandably, some folks need to wear wigs and hair extensions. What is up, though, with those who have healthy hair yet habitually wear artificial and human hair additions?
Anyhow, I built a rather extensive wardrobe when I had my good government jobs. Our Lord led me to shed a bunch of it. What I still have are items that fit the base that our Lord led me to favor. Nearly everything in my wardrobe matches or complements black.
It is such that I can devote more time to our Lord, and time to more meaningful endeavors, as I no longer indulge in complex wardrobe decisions. I know that black shoes go with almost everything in my wardrobe. The same for black bags. I use accessories such as scarves, hats, and jewelry to accent my base pieces.
After my black family of pieces, blue, and khaki pieces are close seconds. I now firmly believe in flavorful no fuss dressing.
We all have our styles and it isn't expected that we all will like the same things. I do believe, though, that each of us should have a signature style. Wisely, fashion selections are good choices if the bulk of wardrobes consist of pieces that mix and match well with each other. Less can be more.
What is your signature style?
Here are some fashion photos from my "collection" and one from a stranger that I met who graciously allowed me to photograph her outfit. She didn't want her face shown on my blog so I snapped her from the neck down.
Notes: In the U.S., flower patterns date quickly. Classic patterns that don't go out of style are houndstooth, checks, paisley, polka dots, stripes, pinstripes...
 |
| Striped top |
 |
| Skirt with scarf as belt |
 |
| Hat with flower pinned to it |
 |
| Flower pinned on blouse |
 |
| Bandana tied through jean belt loop |
 |
| Scarves |
 |
| Accent color blouse It stretches a lot |
 |
| Denim skirt |
 |
| Army pants |
 |
| Denim jeans |
 |
| Polka blouse Polka pants |
 |
| Accent color top |
 |
| Animal print blouse with pinstriped capri pants |
 |
| Top and black skirt |
 |
| Blouse |
 |
| Polka blouse black skirt |
 |
| Red top with capri pants |
 |
| Paisley capri pants |
 |
| Animal print skirt |
OF COURSE, THE BEST DRESSING IS TO BE HOLY.
