Let’s Get This Out of the Way: I’ve Made Alot of Mistakes
Okay, look. I’ve been in this industry for over two decades. You’d think by now I’d have it all figured out, right? Wrong. So wrong. I’ve made more fashion mistakes than I can count. And honestly? I’m kinda proud of that.
See, fashion isn’t about being perfect. It’s about expressing yourself, taking risks, and sometimes—okay, alot of times—failing spectacularly. Let me tell you about the time I thought I could pull off a neon green suit to my cousin’s wedding. (Spoiler: I couldn’t.)
It was 2003, and I was 25. I was working at a tiny magazine in Chicago, and I thought I was the bee’s knees. My friend Marcus—let’s call him Marcus because his real name is embarrassing—he told me, “Linda, that suit is gonna make you look like a highlighter.” I asked him what he knew. I mean, he was wearing cargo shorts to a wedding. But no, he was right. I looked like a walking highlighter. The photos are still out there somewhere. Somewhere horrible.
But Here’s the Thing About Fashion
It’s not about the rules. It’s not about what some fancy designer says you should wear. It’s about what makes you feel good. And yeah, sometimes that means looking back at photos and cringing. But other times, it means creating something totally unique.
Take my friend Dave, for example. He’s a colleague named Dave, and he’s got this weird thing for mixing patterns. Plaid with polka dots, stripes with florals. It’s kinda insane. But you know what? He owns it. And honestly, it works. People notice him. They remember him. That’s the point, right?
I asked him about it once. “Dave,” I said, “how do you even decide what to wear in the morning?” He told me, “Linda, it’s simple. I wear what makes me happy. If it makes someone else happy too, great. If not, that’s their problem.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
And Now, a Word About Accessories
Okay, so here’s where I get all ranty. Accessories are important. Like, really important. They can make or break an outfit. But people forget that. They spend all this money on a killer dress or a sharp suit, and then they pair it with some cheap, tacky accessories. No. Just no.
I was at a conference in Austin last year, and I saw this woman. She had on this gorgeous black dress, and she was pairing it with these… these… I don’t even know what they were. They were like plastic bangles, but worse. They were like something you’d find in a dollar store. And I thought, “Lady, you’re killing it with that dress. Why are you ruining it with those things?”
Look, I get it. Accessories can be expensive. But they don’t have to be. You can find great pieces at thrift stores, or even online. And if you’re not sure what to pair with what, check out a condo buying guide comparison. Wait, what? No, not that. I mean, look for style guides or something. Honestly, I’m getting off track here.
A Quick Digression About Socks
So, about three months ago, I was at this fancy dinner. And the guy sitting next to me—let’s call him Greg—he had on these socks. They were bright red with little green frogs all over them. And he was wearing a suit. A suit! I mean, I get it. Socks are fun. But come on. There’s a time and a place.
I asked him about it later. “Greg,” I said, “what were you thinking with those socks?” He told me, “Linda, life’s too short to wear boring socks.” And you know what? He’s right. But maybe save the frog socks for a more casual event.
Final Thoughts (Because I Have to Wrap This Up)
Fashion is messy. It’s chaotic. It’s personal. And that’s what makes it so great. So go ahead, take risks. Make mistakes. Wear the neon green suit if you want to. Just remember, there are people out there who care about these things, and I’m one of them.
And if all else fails, just throw on a pair of jeans and a nice top. You can’t go wrong with that. Well, usually. There was this one time in 1998…
About the Author: Linda Harper has been a senior magazine editor for over 20 years. She’s written for major publications and has a love-hate relationship with fashion. When she’s not writing, she’s probably arguing with someone about the merits of neon green suits.
