Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Wearing What Works

As you know by now, I work for a women's clothing boutique. Every day I walk into what would be the ultimate closet. ACNE, Vanessa Bruno, Isabel Marant, Zero + Maria Cornejo, you name it - we have it.

In my first weeks there I was somewhat overwhelmed by all the beautiful things. There is an unspoken standard for how one dresses when selling $400 dollar scarves. Me being me, I don't wear funky, crazy, or wildly unique clothing. Honestly, give me my black jeans and a white tee and I'm set. But as the work days passed, and as I saw all the other workers hip shoes, funky jewelry and big bags, pressure mounted and I could feel uncertainty and insecurity setting in. I know, I know, I shouldn't feel such a way, but I am a girl. Feelings like mine come with the territory.

And perhaps it is because I have recently felt this way, that Emmanuel Alt's words struck a chord with me. Jak + Jil found the following quote by Emmanuelle Alt in the recent Vogue Hommes International.

“FORGET TRENDY DESIGNER LABELS. JEANS, A SWEATER OR A T-SHIRT WORN UNDER A JACKET THAT SEEMS WELDED TO YOU. WHEN IT’S JUST RIGHT, WHEN YOU DON’T SEE THE EFFORT, IT’S IRRESISTIBLE.”

What can I say...I am irresistible in jeans and a tee. So I think I'm just going to stick with what works.

photo source

13 comments:

diane said...

That a girl, Stacy! Stick to your guns. When I am uncertain, I like to think back to how confident and sure I was as a kid. The comfort of a tee and jeans, with a pair of pf flyers (hehe) never goes out of style. That's why the sexiest and most revolutionary stars always rock that look; it's a matter of going back to basics, like holding hands when you cross the street.

chelsea said...

I absolutely love this philosophy. Thanks for the reminder!!

Fashion Moment said...

Excelent post, darling!

FM~FP

Drew said...

I wish the places I worked carried such an awesome array of labels! I'm stuck with outdoors brands one day (I am not an outdoors person by any means...it just pays and I can sell clothes) and then a dress code at a bridal boutique the next day...

I wish I could wear what I love and feel comfortable in everyday!

Apt. #34 said...

I saw and loved that quote too - and was thinking the exact same thing...as I fell victim to a Alexander Wang T! What location are you working out of?? I want to come visit :)

Josephine said...

good for you! if you dress for yourself, you can't go wrong.

Joslyn said...

absolutely! the chicest women are the ones true to themselves...trendy is overrated!

amy b.s. said...

i love it! i find myself sucked into the fashion and funkiness just because, well, I love it. but at the same time, i feel at ease (and hot) when i rock the jeans and the tees. thanks for making me feel like that's the way it should be done!

Silje said...

I like this post and the picture!=)

Maia said...

What a great post. Have you read William Gibson's book Pattern Recognition?
I bought a pair of Levis yesterday. I haven't worn regular old Levis in so long, and they slipped on like an old glove.
My favorite white shirt is my grandfather's enormous Brooks Bros tux shirt from the 60s. I did a post on that one once.

thefatandskinnyonfashion said...

yup yup my phrase in dealing with clothes, life, food, etc is stick to what you know.

sunny said...

Love this post.
I needed to read it today. Am planning a vacation trip to a chic city and was worried about not being stylish enough. Now I'll just go as me, be relaxed and enjoy myself.

Aline said...

I totally agree...if you don't dress in what you feel comfortable in, it will never look great!