In the Pacific Northwest, we have a pretty casual attitude toward fashion. Sweats are standard attire, athleisure wear is a staple, and I doubt there's a single closet without multiple pairs of tennis shoes in it (these are for walking the dog, these are for gardening, these are for date night....). Wait, what? Tennis shoes for date night? Oh that's right - we're in Oregon, where tshirts and shorts are common at even polished events like the symphony and weddings.
It's especially noticeable in how the transplants from other states are quick to drop their cosmopolitan style as if they're shedding that big city persona and trying to blend into their new environment. They give away their suits and heels, choosing Birkenstocks and jeans as their daily wear. But after a while, they get stuck when they do have to dress up for an occasion so they run out and panic-buy an outfit for that one time. Slowly, they realize they've got nothing in their closet between very casual and semi-formal.
There's a line in The Devil Wears Prada when the boyfriend's response to Andi's need for better work clothes is to ask if what, now she needs a ballgown? It demonstrates a huge gap in understanding what "stylish clothing" is all about: it's the (massive) middle ground between sweats and formal wear. They're the pieces you wear on a day-to-day basis that serve so many purposes:
protecting you from the elements
showcasing your personality
showing respect for those around you
putting you in the right frame of mind for a job or event
When the community all around you is lowering its standards, it's hard to lift yourself up and get out of those easy, stretchy yoga pants, especially if - and I hear this a lot - "I'm just running to the grocery store," or "My kid doesn't notice how I dress to pick them up."
Actually, your kid does notice, and what if you run into a client at the grocery store? Do you really want to be in something holey, stained, and unflattering? It tells the other person you don't care about yourself, so how would they believe that you will care about them? As Kenny Wayne Jones, a former senator from Mississippi said, "In order for you to sit down with somebody and say, "I'll handle your business," you've got to look like you can handle your own."
It doesn't have to be uncomfortable by any means, but it should make you feel good and just a little bit more special. Put on lipstick, even if you're just going to Costco. Wear that dress you love but hasn't seen the light of day for ages to the company picnic. Find some new sandals that don't look like you could go kayaking in them. These little changes tell you that you're taking care of yourself.
That's where clothes lead - improved mental health and wellbeing! Being put-together shouldn't be unusual or even questioned by those around you. You're allowed to look good and subsequently feel good just going about your day to day life. Plus, you've got all those pieces in your wardrobe that want to come out to play, so why not let them? You'll be raising the bar for those around you - your kids, your colleagues, your family and friends - by encouraging them to also take care of themselves, which elevates our whole community.
Who knew that a pretty outfit could do so much?!
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