With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I have been thinking of how my mother helped us have no Fear of Fashion! What were her influences? How has she helped mold us into the women that we are today?
(mom, sissi and dad)
I always remember mom telling us to ‘dress for success’. Style is personal but you should always dress so that no matter whom you see, meet or have a conversation with, you will never, ever, worry ‘did I have my best foot forward’ (metaphorically speaking that is).
She managed to showed us many wonderful traits that I still use today (yes mom, we listened!). For example, she always helped us understand how to extend our wardrobe buy incorporating basic items with trendy fashions. Basics such as the little black dress (LBD), those high waisted black trousers (was it you that gave me my addiction to black clothing?) or the crisp white blouse are needed and can be worn from season to season.
Mom was always there to help us put together the right outfit no matter where we were going. It did not matter if we were young women going out into the world for our first academic banquet or our first job interview, mom was there guiding us every step of the way. As a matter of fact, she is still there today telling us (guiding us) with suggestions to keep us looking our best. She is the voice in our head.
Not only did she effect positive change in what we wore (now that I am much older I can say positive change), she did a lot of what we like to call the ‘behind the scenes’ of fashion. How a great seamstress makes all the difference in the world. I don’t know about you but I have to alter most all trousers (length or waist). Jackets and blouses…not all sizes fit all women. What a difference a seamstress makes! How to hang your clothes, why to hang your clothes and how the correct hanger can play such an important role in the longevity of your clothing. Why certain laundry detergents are better than others, why to hang vs lay flat and (here is the big one) why the dryer is not your friend!
Did you think that cleaning up your closet was only because mom didn’t want the mess? So much of it was to help with the longevity of your clothing and teaching responsibility and respect. Mom does really know best…
Don’t forget to thank your mom not only this holiday but remember that she is important in your life and thank her often. My sissi and I are fortunate enough to have our mom close and to be a big part of our lives. We get to hear her sage advise often (yes, sometimes it is more often than we want but that is our mom!) Thanks mom for all that you have done to help us be the women we are today! Not only do we have no Fear of Fashion, we are women with our own style!
