How to wear anything
You've seen her. She's the woman who wears those hideous jumpsuits with the geometric patterns, skin tight, skirts so short you can almost see her underwear, shirts tied up high revealing her abdomen. She's the one women hate and men silently lust after. She's the one whose wardrobe you detest, but whose guts you secretly admire.
Admit it. You'd love to have the courage to go out in that outfit. But you wouldn't be caught dead in it. Ok, so after finding out what your look says about you, take a step back and see how you can really get away with wearing those outrageous things you kind-of-think-you-might-possibly-maybe want to wear.
Well you need to start by getting the clothes. Start with something simple and easy. If you're not one to usually try anything printed, get a printed scarf. If you are a little bolder, opt for the fitted metallic t-shirt. Find something awful in your closet that fits you but which you haven't worn in ages. Though, somehow, strangely, you want to.
* Step one: Confidence. You knew this was coming. Wear it around the house. Parade in front of a mirror. Try on accessories you'd wear with it, shoes, tops and bottoms, all together. Get comfortable as you wear it more and more.
* Then go out. If you don't want to walk around your block (worried someone you know will see?) put on a big overcoat, button up, and go to another neighborhood where no one knows you. Strut around a while. Ok, now open up your coat, and walk around in your crazy clothes. Just as long as you can stand it. Ignore the stares, pick up your chin, smile!
* Next time you go someplace you don't know many people, try to wear something bold. The grocery store, the post office, the mall. You'll get used to it and one day eventually be able to wear it anywhere.
* Step two: Style. Choosing HOW you're going to wear your daring something is as important as what you're wearing. Besides confidence, you need to balance it with clothing that doesn't clash. Tone down a fuschia skin-tight top with a wide A-line chocolate skirt, or wear a plain white tank with printed pants. Balance with neutrals like white, gray, brown, khaki, olive, black.
* Part of style is knowing when too much is too much, so avoid overkill on the accessories and prints and colors. Let your boldness speak for itself. Don't pull or tug or adjust, don't talk about it or apologize for it, and definitely don't cover it up.
* Step three: Poise. Add poise to confidence and you really can wear anything. Stand tall. Hold your head straight. Look people in the eye. Act as comfortable as if you were wearing your most comfortable, everyday clothes, and people will admire without realizing it.
Soon you, too, will be the secret envy of your neighbors.