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Marianne Clay |
During the hottest days of last summer, I routinely dressed in two minutes
— a pair of capris, a cotton top, hair stuck on top of head, and
flip-flops. I confess: high temperatures seriously undermine my interest in
fashion. Fortunately, just when I was risking "style police" arrest, the
reviving snap of fall and the preparation of this fashion issue commenced.
How could I remain in "fashion slumber" when the dolls in this issue are
wearing such beautiful clothes?
Now herringbone jackets, creamy silk blouses, slim wool skirts, and leather
boots look tantalizing again, like a cornucopia of glistening fruit. For my
awakening, I credit the cooler temperatures and the clothes you'll find
inside. For example, check out the utter elegance of Sylvie Groh's clothing,
the sassy, sexy look of Jason Wu's fashions, and the incredibly fine details
of Doug James' ensembles. Not only did I start enjoying "dressing up" again,
but I started thinking about how much of what we believe about the people we
meet comes from the clothes they wear.
I realized how often I decide someone is "trendy" or "sporty" or "classic"
based on what she or he is wearing. While a bit unsettling while shod in my
flip-flops and wearing my old cotton tee, I had to accept that each time I
walked out the door I, too, was sending silent but powerful messages about
myself. As Mark Twain quipped, "Clothes make the man. Naked people have
little or no influence on society." Little wonder fashion is a $300 billion
industry in the U.S., and no one doubts the power of the right "fashion
statement."
Though just the outer wrapper, our outfits are the windows the world looks
through to discern what we're all about. Not that this is anything new.
Though they couldn't watch fashion makeover shows, our ancestors understood
the power of the image, too. In the 17th century, Queen Elizabeth I conveyed
her superior status by powdering her face an unearthly white and wearing gowns
encrusted with jewels.
Clothing has always a way to convey status and lifestyle while having
a great deal of fun playing "dress up."
Marianne Clay
Editor
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