Now that I am in the swing of my annual nuptial season (three down, two to go) I was curious as to what people spend on wedding fashion. Not only what the couple and their wedding party will spend, but the guests too. As I have no first-hand bridal experience, I went digging.

Dear White Clothing, Why do you tempt me so? Although I wear you all year long, you are especially popular in summer. I can’t seem to get you off my mind.

You may ask why does diversity in fashion matter to me? Well, bluntly put, I am bored of seeing the same old same. I invite designers and brands to wake me up and shock me with something new not only with the fashion but the women and men who wear that fashion. I welcome designers and brands to show me, a consumer, their proposed future. Brands have the opportunity to create whatever products they like and for whomever. Do it then. Show me your vision. Try not to put me to sleep.

I have said and will continue to say that there really aren’t any far-reaching, you-must-obey-or-be-cast-out-of-society fashion rules that must be adhered to. Rather, it’s about personal style and creating a balanced look for an individual on a case-by-case basis. That’s part of the fun... how often does a woman say, “That’s too young for me,” or, “That makes me look older than I really am.” 

Self-expression through clothing, or lack thereof, is a huge element to the party. One of the ways to self-love, acceptance and exploration is through the clothing they wear. Look no further than the parades to see bright colours, sequins and sparkle galore. Not everyone is sartorially flamboyant – and that’s okay too. It appears to me that people embrace whatever version of oneself you’d like to share that day. Good for you. There are no rules except love. Especially for Pride, I say, wear whatever you feel good in. Whether it’s hot pants, bedazzled wings, or jeans and a T; you shimmy, shake and sway to whatever drum beat your heart desires. Just be you.

Cargo shorts used to be a fashion joke to me. I understood the utility. Certainly, they had a lot of pockets to hold all sorts of the wearer’s trinkets and treasures. The washed out cotton looks better with every trip to the laundry and, with all that washing, they become more comfortable. But comfort and utility alone are not enough for me. I used to think they looked horribly lazy and that the wearer was either mountain bound with their dog or given up on life. Cruel, yes. But not unfounded, I would argue. Regardless, I’ve challenged my previous judgment. I want to find a way to make them work for me.

People go to Vegas for a varity of reasons but dressing with purpose is ever present: mini dresses on bachlorette parties, suits and ties for the VIPs (or wannabee VIPs) and some of the most casual looks you will see in a city that boasts so much glitz. It is a fashion frenzy on display on the strip. Even the sweat pant contingent that woke up that day and said, “I’m in Vegas, let’s not only pack sweats, let’s wear them!” 

The thing that most stands out, for me, are the way each of the characters keep or fight their individuality through how they wear and style their clothes. Their personal style both in prison and the clothes worn in the flashbacks help tell each person’s story. It’s fascinating. I am surprised that orange, tan, white and heather grey uniforms can appear so different.

In the pursuit of the ultimate experience, perfect outfit, or best dressed, I fear we diminish the things in life that can simply just be good. Or the things that truly are fabulous and deserve a celebration. Or at the very least the disregard for the appreciation for individual product recommendations for individual people living individual lives. How can one shoe or shirt possibly be “perfect” for me? The brand or source didn’t ask about my individual taste, my lifestyle or ask me if I truly wanted it. They don’t know me.

I pride myself on getting a stylish deal. I also pride myself on having quality-crafted items in my wardrobe for years and years. So it should not be a surprise that often the two statements are more mutually exclusive than the Venn diagram of closet awesomeness I was hoping for. I want to have the cake and eat it too. So being a somewhat rational person on a self-propelled journey of enlightenment, I decided to weigh the pros and cons of fast fashion.

Through this blog I will share my interest in the stories and the insight behind the fashion. For instance, I gravitate towards stories that dig into the business of fashion: who are the key players, what moves are they making, how well (or not well) is a company executing it’s brand through its actions, what are the customers saying? I will also seek out the human-interest elements in fashion. Topics such as diversity and inclusivity on and off the runway, ethical or moral issues including manufacturing workplace conditions, choice of fabrics, behaviors in and out of the spotlight and philanthropic partnerships. And I’ll try to simplify and sometimes even myth bust. That’s my way of trying to help others navigate through the plethora of choices and have a little fun along the way.