I have always ascribed to the belief that getting dressed every morning is a bit of a joyous occasion. I stand before my closet, coffee in hand, and wonder who’s story I get to be a part of today. Will I opt for short and flippy, floral and feminine, or dark and mysterious? Will I reach for an uber modern shoe or a 40’s inspired Mary Jane? Simple or statement? One crinoline or two? And then the most important question: do I feel powerful? If the answer is yes, then I go forth and conquer the day.
Although there are a lot of people who don’t think too hard about what they throw on their bodies before dashing out the door, I’ve always loved to take those 10 minutes every day for me. To luxuriate in the sheer joy of choosing my dress and shoes to suit the occasion. As more often than not I’m reaching for vintage, I try to take a few minutes to think about the woman who owned the piece before me. What she was like, where she might have been going. And if she, like me, felt an acute connection to her clothing. Where her adventures might be inextricably woven into its very fabric, ready to be passed on to the next woman who might be privileged enough to slip it on over her head.
Fashion is the armor
to survive the battle of everyday life
Although it’s probably a very romantic view to take of clothes, I’m pretty convinced that the right dress can change the course of a day, a week, a year. That we can derive power from our clothes – hold our heads higher, walk with more confidence, be more decisive. I’ve definitely been needing a bit of extra oomph this week that only the right dress can provide. And when I saw this perfect red gingham beauty at Siglo Vintage, I knew it would be my version of a power suit.
Now that the initial shock of the hurricane and its startling aftermath has worn off, I find myself slipping into Get It Done mode. Trying to piece together my curriculum and gain enough control where I can stand in front of my students and convey confidence. Let them know that, although we have been through a lot and that there is still hardship to come, that we’ve got this. We can get through it. And as carefully as I’m planning out how to adjust the semester, I’m also planning my morning before having to face a sea of nervous, uncertain faces. How I will celebrate myself and what I will slip on over my head to give me a bit of extra strength, so that I might walk into that classroom, look at each of my students, and convince them that we’re going to get through this, together.
What’s your power suit?
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Siglo Vintage (similar modern or vintage here, here & here)
Necklace: street fair (similar)
Handbag: Second Skin Vintage (similar here & here)
Shoes: Katy Perry
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