Things Fashion told me

I was recently hired at the Nordstrom Rack (recent meaning February, bear with me). As my new boss takes me on a tour of the store and mentions the great deals for employees at the moment I couldn't help but have a small spark light up inside. I wanted to shop, I love to shop especially when presented with a good deal. Well, more like incentive. Then I stop myself. It was just the holidays and I received several new clothes and pairs of shoes. The last thing I needed was to surrender my wallet to the retail gods.

I did not need to shop and the spark extinguished.

At first, I was sad; disappointed really. Not only in myself but in fashion. Am I still a fashionable person? Do I still care about the world of fashion? I realized no, I am not a shlub and I still care about the world of wonder that has been a major part of my life.

I realized that fashion itself is not shopping. Shopping is only a means of acquiring fashionable items. Fashion is the way in which we present ourselves to the world in order to say something. It is the first thing someone sees when they first meet you or even just pass you by and in that moment it tells a story.

I began to think about items in my wardrobe I've had for years and why I've kept them. For example, my black pea-coat I've kept for at least 5 years. My dad looked at it the other day and noticed the ripped lining inside and made a face of disbelief. I love that jacket, it fits nicely and has a great shape that compliments my waist. The rips are just signs of good hard lovin'. It is truly a timeless piece. That is fashion my friends. An article of clothing that makes you look and feel good, can transform you into something more. It becomes a friend.

Recently I've had to part with some friends. I loved them so much they ripped in places that were beyond repair. I held onto them for longer than I should, but I knew it was their turn to go. Holding on to pieces of clothing because they were great pieces is what fashion is about. Timeless pieces you can wear through several seasons and still look fresh is what we should strive for, not the next new hot item.

It is sad but fast fashion has taken a hold of the industry because it is so lucrative. In reality it's good for the short term. Fast fashion retailers have to constantly turn out new product to feed the monster consumer they created. Now consumers get bored with clothes more quickly and have been programmed to believe they need something new every weekend! I am not immune to these hunger pains for the newest blouse on the shelves, but I have become more aware of my urges.

I've started to check myself when I think about shopping or am online looking at clothes. Do I really truly need that? Probably not and most likely I already have something similar. I'm not advocating we all stop shopping because shopping truly does bring joy. However, let us enjoy our wardrobes and develop them before we go out again and purchase yet another cardigan that we just had to have. I guarantee the cardigan will be just like the last you bought that was just as great.

Trouble with a capital T

Boy am I in blogger trouble. I should be considered a drop-out since my last post was earlier this year and it now being September. Well I have a few things to post, first being a reflection on style and shopping/consumerism. Secondly I would finally like to post what I gathered from MAGIC last year while in Vegas, and finally a post about trends to look out for this fall.
I'm so glad fall is finally here, sweating through ones clothes all summer is not a hot look nor is it fair to those around them and by that I mean body odor. Soon it will be time to pile on the layers and don new fashionable looks that were found strolling down the runway. I don't know what it is about covering myself up in multiple layers that makes me feel stylish, sexy and confident. What I do know is fall gives you the opportunity to wear more clothes at one time and that is always more fun!
Alright enough blah, it's time for a long awaited post about fashion!