Style as Substance
A closet full of armor, confidence, memories, and power.
“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” – Bill Cunningham
You will never see me at Walmart in my pajamas. Nor do I ever travel further than Normantown/Stumptown without make-up. I’m not a “natural beauty.” There is no “wash and go” facet of my life, no “come as you are,” and no “quick runs” to the grocery store.
Very few people have ever seen me “without my face on.”
Whenever I venture out into public, I always try to look polished and professional. Fashion and make-up/hair are methods of creative expression - and in my 25-year upbringing in an urban-suburban region, style IS substance.
“Fashion is a weapon that you can use when you need it.” – Donatella Versace
Not to mention that my mother, a retired teacher, has always been a fashionable woman. Even now, at almost 90, living alone in a 3-bedroom condo, her collection of clothing surpasses her four closets, four chests of drawers (and two storage tubs). If all her clothes are clean at one time, they simply won’t all fit where they belong.
So, in addition to the sense of style and fashion embedded in my family genes, I tell myself style and presentation are important because I’m representing myself and my business as a creative.
But the truth is, my life is chaotic and messy. Creativity is messy, growth is messy. Change is messy. I keep telling myself that someday we’ll get it all together. Some day, this house will be finished, organized, and presentable.
But deep down, I know… This road goes on forever, and the projects never end.
“I have always believed that fashion was not only to make women more beautiful but also to reassure them, give them confidence.” – Yves Saint Laurent
One of my current projects is my giant walk-in closet Frank built for me, which has been stuffed full with shoes, clothing, linens, suitcases, fabrics, scarves, hats, Halloween costumes, etc. My grandmother’s fur wrap. The outfit I wore at my wedding reception. Frank’s special suit jacket he wears to funerals and weddings.
Now, it matters not that I also am painting a floor rug, have a major art show in 8 days, and decided to wash all the linens just for good measure. That closet is currently empty of clothes and tubs and vacuum-packed vintage t-shirts. I decided to organize the closet two weeks ago, and while hopping from one project to another, the closet project just kept getting bigger and bigger.
Our bed is piled high with clothes. The office is holding storage tubs of items that have no place to go. Laundry has fallen behind because of the giant influx of stuffy, stored-too-long linens. But this is a project long, long, long overdue, and the results of finally tackling it give me great satisfaction.
And, working from home again, gardening again, painting again, I no longer need most of the outfits I own. I no longer need so much armor, reassurance, or confidence. Those cute sandals won’t cut it in the garden; all that black won’t do well when cuddling the dogs and cat. And, do I really need eight different tote bags?
The closet project is ongoing. It may take days, even weeks. What stays? What goes? And where then does that go? Of course, Grandma’s fur wrap will stay, but I think I can part with the wedding reception outfit now that we’ve been married 24 years.
And the cute sandals? They stay. All the shoes stay.
As Bette Midler says:
“I firmly believe that with the right footwear, one can rule the world.”
What’s your fashion style? Tis the season for hoodies and long sleeves, and at TwoLanePrints.com, I have curated a collection of fantastic Appalachia and West Virginia-themed designs to boost your style! If not for you, keep them in mind for Christmas!
