What is fashion? Who exactly determines it? Is fashion determined by designers, magazine editors or clothing buyers? Should fashion instead be determined by those of us who wear the clothes?
I have never been on top of fashion trends. I always feel like I am two steps back and catch on to fashion as it is going out of style. When I catch on to a fashion trend late, it is not typically in a cool vintage way. As I near my 40th birthday and chase three young kids, I am less and less aware of normal fashion trends. Not only am I less aware of the trends, but I am entering the stage of life where I do not care as much.
The definition of fashion is “a popular trend, especially in styles of dress and ornament or a manner of doing something.” I am beginning to understand that the people that look the best in what they wear follow the latter half of the definition: “a manner of doing something.” While I do not follow fashion trends well, I am observant of what others wear and how they dress their kids.
When I observe others, I have noticed that the people who look the best in their clothes wear clothes that complement their body and complexion. Fashion trends are not necessarily followed by the some of the best dressed people, but they appear to be well dressed because what they wear makes them feel good and confident.
Because we all have different bodies, it is understandable that we will not all look good or the same in the same clothing. Hopefully, I can pass on some of this new understanding to my young children as they begin to enter the pre-teen years where unnecessary focus is placed on what people are wearing and how often.
Fashion should be a simple expression of who we are as individuals. It should help make us comfortable so that we can exhibit confidence but not be a reason to be or not be confident.
Writer Bio: Summer Bolte
I spend most of my time and days with my three kids, husband and dog. My kids frequently play near me as I garden, cook, DIY and volunteer. My most unusual paying job has to be feeding fruit flies in a research lab, and my most fulfilling job was being an oncology nurse for seven years.
