I used to wonder how my coworkers could afford the latest and
greatest fashions. Despite the fact that we all took home the
same meager salary, they walked in the door every week with a
new outfit. I walked in the door with the same sloppy jeans and
sweater. It took a few years before I realized that their
clothes were actually owned by Visa and MasterCard. This was a
realization I made without ever looking at their credit card
statement. I could see the stress in their eyes. By the time
they paid off that sweater set, sweater sets were out of style.
They were on a Fashion Hamster Wheel.
My coworker Jessica was different. She was always tastefully
dressed, her clothes predating the next fashion trend. Almost
every time I asked her where she got her clothes she told me she
bought them at a thrift store. There was something else about
Jessica’s style that no one else had – serenity. She had zero
debt. She was in full control of her life and it was palpable.
It’s no coincidence that she bought her first home when she was
just 24 years old.
Jessica clearly had her own sense of style. With a little
creativity and a small investment of time, she was able to act
on it. I’m not saying you have to forego shopping at your
favorite stores to be able to afford a house – unless you live
in Northern California. What I am saying is – instead of
desperately searching for the exact blouse Jennifer Aniston wore
to her latest movie premier and paying bank for it off the rack
- be a little daring and create your own style based on what you
can afford.
Defining your own style takes time and it evolves. Read fashion
magazines, watch movies and see what you like. But instead of
mimicking what you see, adapt it. Learn to trust your instinct.
Learn what looks good on your body structure. Every time you see
a young woman wearing low rise jeans that obviously shouldn’t
be, take it as a reminder that not every fashion trend is for
everyone.
Life isn’t about conforming – it’s about creating.