#82. Cultivate your own style

I recently took a trip to visit my younger brother where we went to a nice restaurant, an outdoor wine festival, and a pub, and let me tell you it took everything in me not to allow the ‘fashion victims’ to see the reaction on my face to what they were wearing. At one point I witnessed a guy (who had to be over 19 to be in the bar), wearing skinny jeans, sneakers, a loose plaid men’s work shirt and a backwards ball cap. At that point I messaged a friend and asked what the world is coming to if fashion sense is lost on our youth?


The ‘look’ made me cringe, and no look has ever gotten quite the reaction – is this me getting old?

Then, I glanced at the door and saw what appeared to be a girl squeezed into a men’s black sock. The dress was SO tiny her bits and pieces were hanging out & it was COLD that night. I motioned to my brother to look at what should be considered prostitution, and he educated me on the term ‘turtle dress’. Turtle dress what? Is what I was thinking – it’s because her snapper was hanging out. It disgusted me that this type of dress is so popular it has its own term. Really, what type of guy are these chicks trying to pick up? They live in that city to get a college or university education, so I’m thinking I need to go teach a class on ‘how not to look like a hoe’ 101.

Me being old again? I hope not.

Now except for my jeans and a solid colored fitted t-shirt phase where my sister referred to me as ‘plain jane’, I do think I somewhat pay attention to fashion. However, when I went into my closet to figure out what to wear to this ‘hang out with people 6-8 years younger than myself’ weekend, I had a hard time finding something that would do. I wanted to wear my new grey boots, but standing for hours at a festival, and a ½ hour walk home after the bar ruled those out. Next I think jeans, jeans are a safe bet. I went through what had to be 8 pairs and ended up wearing a pair I owned when I was 23. A fitted plaidish shirt (plaid is in), and a bench jacket, that was way too thin to be outdoors all night, oh and sketchers that are good for walking in – and as far as I know, I think I fit in. Well, maybe not compared to the turtle dresses, but that ship has sailed, aged, and capsized.

I would have to say my style is dressy, yet casual. I buy items that can crossover from work into nights out. I’m starting a boot collection in multiple colors for the winter, and I seem to have an addiction for jackets. I JUST bought this one from danier on my lunch:

You’ll rarely catch me in a dress, will always catch me in skirts, and never in red or pink (complexion won’t let it happen). I hate pantyhose, avoid panty lines at all costs, and never carry an umbrella – I don’t melt. 90% of the time you’ll find me done up, but on weekends I love jeans, sweaters, no makeup and ball caps. I go with the flow, and attempt to stay current, but who has the time?

What about you? How do you stay on top of things fashion wise? And how can we rid the world of these ‘turtle dresses’ and teach these young girls class & self respect?