pleated pants anyone?

balmain, dries, balenciaga...drool drool drool...

people always ask me "what's in style" right now...being that they are not in fashion and they know i am. but i never have an answer for them, except to say "whatever works for you...there are no rules."

this is a hard concept for some people to grasp...because when it comes to clothes, they wear by the rules. certain things work, other things don't. whereas for me, fashion and style is all about bending the rules...flirting with them...trying to prove otherwise.

**disclaimer: i totally understand that career plays a huge role in wardrobe choices...so playing it safe may be a necessity....but how about the weekends?

a "fashion person" would say the look du jour is:

-sartorialist/androgynous/edgy/nerdy: high-waisted cropped pleated pants/harem pants, ankle heels/boots, boyfriend blazer, striped tee, a cool or sleek haircut, strong accessories, maybe dark framed glasses to boot...oh and esp. the jumpsuit/onesie.

a certain attitude of nonchalance is required...a la paris... shouldn't that always be the case when one decides what to wear?

a non-fashion person would say:

1) but i can't wear the jumpsuit..it's not flattering

2) can black and navy go together? what can i wear with grey? can i wear red shoes with this?

3) why would you wear an oversized blazer? how is that flattering?

4) i can-NOT pull off pleats

it's like an episode of "what not to wear." despite its entertainment factor, it does no good to inspire the true fashionista in us.

and then i have to say "dahhling, don't worry about it...it doesn't matter unless you feel comfortable in it." and that all goes to show that you need some serious confidence to pull off "fashion" looks. vice versa; if you are not comfortable wearing pleated cropped pants and heels, it will show through your outfit and that is never a good look for anyone, no matter how hot you really are.

maybe it's because i have a dual background in being totally practical and grounded (darn engineering degree) yet flighty and fantastical and dreamy (FIT, 3.I, zachary's), that this kind of discussion/reality creates some internal frustration. i, like everyone else out there, think about what to wear for the day/moment/event, but more from a perspective of "what's appropriate + what's my emotional status..." at the times when i can be myself (thank gawd my job is freethinking and creative), which luckily is every day, i'll mix it up with a sartorial/grunge sort of thing. or i'll play 3.I label whore (i can't help it...this is what happens when you amass the company's clothes as perks for making it through). of course, part of being stylish is knowing how to balance the outfit with the occasion, so on the flip side, if i'm going to be in a crowd of more conservative people (ie. a wedding of old college friends/acquaintances- read "conservative") i'll tone it down a tad. i have to....because i may have confidence, but not THAT much to totally completely stand out from the crowd.

luckily it's been working out so far....