Top 10 Reasons to Dress Up Every Day

I came across an article on collegefashion.net titled "25 Reasons Why You Should Dress Up Every Day". After reading through the list, I compiled a tweaked list of my own, what I believe are the top ten reasons for dressing up daily. (By dressing up, I mean wearing something that you consider your style, something that makes you feel good, an outfit you put thought into.)

Disclaimer: While I do believe in the importance of looking your best, I also acknowledge that it is not for everyone. Also, I definitely have my days where I don't put as much effort into my look as I think I should.

With that out of the way, here are the top ten reasons to dress up every day.



1. Fashion is a method of self expression. What are you trying to say?

2. You never know who you're going to run into or whose camera you could end up on.

3. That fabulous party outfit in your closet cost too much to only be worn once.

4. If you've got it (amazing legs, great style, killer confidence), it's just wrong to not flaunt it.

5. Life's too short to blend in. Don't settle for average.

6. Fashion is one of the rare instances where art comes alive. What artistic statement do you want to make?

7. Dressing up helps you weed out friends who don't love you for you. If they have a problem with the way you dress, they're not the kinds of friends you want around.

8. It annoys close-minded people. The fact that it annoys them so much is all the more reason to keep doing it. They don't get to control you.

9. It's a test of your confidence. Dressing unconventionally forces you to develop the self-assurance necessary to stand out from everyone else.

10. It's fun and can boost your mood!



What do you think about this list? Check out the original post at www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/25-reasons-why-you-should-dress-up-every-day and let me know what your top ten would be.

Stylish Tots

Gone are the days of kids only wearing Garanimals and outfits featuring their favorite cartoon characters. While many children enjoy playing dress-up with wacky costumes, some prefer a more fashion-forward approach.

Meet Alonso Mateo, son of a freelance stylist. His mother Luisa says that around the time he started preschool, he began asking for tailored suits and bow ties. The photos of him that she posted on social media went viral. “I don’t know if it’s because he’s an only child, and he’s surrounded by so many grown-ups that he kind of wants to replicate what everybody around him is wearing,” Luisa says regarding his adult taste in clothing. He was five years old at the time of these photos. For more, visit www.odditycentral.com/news/alonso-matteo-the-internets-five-year-old-style-icon.html. 

Another young fashionista, five-year-old Aria Klink, also has a strong social media presence. Her mother Melany refers to Aria as her "muse" on her Instagram page. Aria's baby sister, Prim, seems to be following in her style footsteps already at the age of seven months. To see their photos, go to Melany's Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/klink5/. 

What do you think about children dressing more like adults? Is it cute and endearing, or do you feel that they are growing up too fast?

Sources:

www.odditycentral.com/news/alonso-matteo-the-internets-five-year-old-style-icon.html

https://www.instagram.com/klink5/

6 Staples That Belong in Everyone's Closet

Trends can be fun, but let's face it--they never last very long. Then we're stuck with pieces that have gone out of style in a year or less. Here are a few classics that never go out of style, both for men and women.

1. A white shirt

White shirts are classic and infinitely versatile. Whether it's a button-down or simple blouse, a white shirt can be the building block for endless outfits, from professional office looks to classy night out.

2. A white tee

While similar to the white shirt, the white tee is the ultimate casual piece. Let it be said that I am not talking about your grungy, work in the yard white tee, but a clean, high quality top.  Pair it with any type of bottoms, layer with an accessory, and you have a comfortable, stylish look.

3. A winter coat

Even in Lousiana, we can get some harsh winter weather from time to time. A coat with a flattering fit will keep you looking fashionable AND warm. Complete the look with boots and a scarf, and no southern weather fluctuation can stop you.

4. A black blazer

Black blazers can be dressed up or down, and for students and young professionals, are an asset for interviews and presentations. The key to the black blazer is finding a fit that flatters your body size and height. One that is too large automatically makes you look sloppy, and you won't be able to move comfortably in one that is too small.

5. A leather jacket

Leather jackets go with absolutely everything: jeans, dresses, tailored pants, even over gym clothes. Plus, you never have to worry about this fashion going out of style, so you can be sure the steep investment price of real leather is worth it. If you prefer vegan leather, there are just as many stylish options that are a bit more affordable and environmentally friendly.

6. A pair of jeans that fit

Last but definitely not least are a pair of jeans that flatter you. Denim is timeless and comfortable, and when you find the perfect pair of jeans, you can rule the world. Not in a literal sense, but you feel great, look great, and everyone notices. Not sure what jeans fit suits you? If you go to a retailer like Levi's, they have fit specialists who can help you find the most flattering pair for you. Also, don't forget about the tailor if you want a truly custom fit.

Do you have these items in your closet? If not, what do you consider your staples?

Photos found on Pinterest.

Broke Style, Not Broken Style

If you've been in college for at least a semester, it's nothing new to cringe at the sight of your bank account balance. You also start to notice that your fashion staples are wearing down from consistent use now that you don't have to wear school uniforms. Where can you go to replace (often painstakingly) your favorites without breaking the bank? Here are my top three favorites.

1. Goodwill--I'm a little obsessed with thrifting, I'll admit. Chances are, in any given outfit, I'm wearing at least one item from a thrift store. If you can get over the musty smell and sometimes competitive company, you can find some great pieces. I have a bit of a shoe fetish: shopping at Goodwill saves me from going bankrupt while still allowing me to indulge my fancies from time to time. Also, the thrill of the hunt and capturing your bounty is oh-so rewarding.

2. eBay--This one can be a little tricky. You can find some really great and unique items on eBay, but you do run the risk of encountering a scammer. I had to learn this the hard way--my account got hacked and the perp tried to spend thousands of my dollars on a Playstation 4 and new smartphone. Luckily, I was able to report them and get the situation resolved. I still use eBay, though, but use an email created only for that website that isn't linked to any of my personal accounts. I haven't had any other seedy activity since then. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, this is also a great place to earn a few extra bucks.

3. Poshmark--I don't use this one as much as I used to due to recent shipping price increases, but this is a great one if you're still leery of eBay. Available in app and browser form, all activity is moderated by the company, and if you don't receive your item, you get an immediate refund. You can find a plethora of fashion items, including designer items that are new with tags, but at a discount price! Anyone is able to create their own "boutique" and sell either their secondhand items or wholesale pieces, available for purchase through Poshmark.

These resources have saved me tons of money while still allowing me to wear what I want. Do you have any cash-savvy shopping tips or places you like to find steals? I'd love to know, and I hope you found this list helpful!

Sources:
www.ebay.com
www.poshmark.com

The Evolution of Men's Grooming

I have stumbled upon many articles and videos on the evolution of women's looks throughout the decades (like this one), but style evolution for men was something I had to actively search for. Male style can often get overlooked in the big picture of fashion, but it has evolved and adapted just as much over the years.

Take a look at this video showing men's grooming over the last hundred years, and you'll see what I mean.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised when I saw this video. When I am watching a period piece, I notice how that the men look differently, but it seems essentially the same as today when it comes to the foundation of a man's outfit: pants, shirt, shoes, and sometimes a jacket of some sort. The women's clothing stands out much more to me, as it's transition to modern looks is much more extreme. This may also be a biased perception, because I identify as a woman. Isolating and focusing on just men's grooming throughout history made a larger impact on me and showed me just how their looks have changed over the years. It's neat to see how their grooming has relaxed in ways, just as women's grooming has; rather, it is not imperative for everyone to follow one particular look. 

What did you think, ladies? Were you surprised, or did you expect what you saw? Guys, what is your take on it?

Sources:

Mode. "100 Years of Fashion: Women * Mode.com." Online video clip. YouTube. 3 June, 2015. Web. 16, June 2017.

WatchCut Video. "USA Men (Samuel) | 100 Years of Beauty | Ep 12." Online video clip. YouTube. 2 Nov. 2015. Web. 16 June, 2017.

Generational Clothing Swap!

Fashion is something that is constantly changing, so it makes sense why older generations dress much differently than we of the younger generation do. When they were growing up, society had different beliefs about modesty and gender, they had access to different fabric types, and some even had to make all of their own clothes by hand. If they live in a country other than America, they may have lived in a time before westernization reached their area. We can be quick to judge those who are older than us, because by looking at them, we think they cannot possibly understand our generation.

An artist named Qozop took a series of photos where young Asians swapped outfits with their elders. The results were both endearing and enlightening.  "It was easy to get the kids to agree to be photographed," says the artist. "The older folks required a little more coaxing. But once they have been photographed, they were often curious and amused to see themselves in their son's or grandson's attire--some were so comfortable in their new getup that they joked they wanted to remain in that attire for the rest of the day!"

By literally asking people to walk in each other's shoes, this experiment bridged the gap between generations and allowed each to view the other from a different perspective. To see more of the photo collection, visit www.designboom.com/art/qozop-swaps-the-clothing-of-asian-youths-with-their-elders-02-10-2014.



Source:

"Qozop Swaps The Clothing Of Asian Youths With Their Elders."Design Boom. 10 February, 2014. Web. 12 June, 2017.

Is Cosplay Fashion?

Kimono Version of character Sinon of anime Sword Art Online, done by Ely Cosplay

Cosplay, the act of creating (or in some cases, buying) a costume to replicate an already-existing character as accurately as possible for an occasion other than Halloween, has risen in popularity over the past few years with the acceptance of "nerd culture". Cosplayers often create all aspects of their costume by hand, including: sewing their own garments, crafting armor from foam plates or cardboard, assembling jewelry, styling wigs or their natural hair, and applying makeup to change the appearance of their facial features. Some will then participate in professional photo shoots as their character or wear the completed look to a conference to meet others who share their interests and share cosplay tips and tricks. As a cosplayer myself, I have a great appreciation for the work and dedication it takes to make a complete and precise costume that is also wearable and functional, but looking beyond the craftsmanship, is it fashion?

Gladiolus from video game Final Fantasy XV, done by Leon Chiro

Google dictionary defines fashion as "a popular trend, especially in styles of dress and ornament or manners of behavior." According to this definition, it does seem to fid the category, but costly is not considered popular by all. Many people I have encountered in person and online discount it as juvenile, a waste of money and time, and abnormal to want to "play dress-up" when no longer a child and beyond Halloween. 

In my opinion, fashion is a statement of self-expression, a way to tell the world about yourself without opening your mouth (unless, of course, to show off a piercing or some grills), and for me, cosplay is self-expression. I'm a theatre major and a definite character nerd. That being said, if a character in a book, movie, TV show, or video game stands out to me as compelling, well-designed, or I simply like their look, I would like to embody them for a while, often at a convention. Then, I can meet people who also like that character or the media he or she (the character) came from, as well as share my passion for crafting and beauty. Because of this, I would say yes, cosplay is a form of fashion.

Weiss Schnee from the anime RWBY, by cosplayer Akaba Ritsu and photographer Lolita Ribeiro

What do you think? Have you ever cosplayed or know someone who has? I'd love to hear all of your opinions on this and look forward to any responses!


Photo links:
https://worldcosplay.net/photo/5695957
http://fashionablygeek.com/costumes/final-fantasy-xv-gladiolus-cosplay/
https://worldcosplay.net/photo/1286436