Fashion Fix

GCSUnade.com

Issue date: 9/16/05 Section: Variety

By Vanessa Voigt

The sun was going down when I heard "be ready in 20 minutes, and dress comfortably!"

My two comrades and I were to go to the park for the sunset. The nine-year-old inside of me got excited, but then the fashion conscious 19-year-old Vanessa had to focus. The fact that I don't go walking around in the great outdoors on a regular basis means my closet is lacking in the North Face jackets and New Balances. 

Knowing the sun does not wait to set until all fashion dilemmas are solved, I put my hands on my leopard-printed belt to get into thinking position. Three seconds came and went, and after my mental light bulb went off, I threw on my Pumas, my worn in flared jeans and my "I love NY" tee. 

Proud of my fast and fabulous transformation, I ran down my flight of stairs to meet my counterparts. I thought I had followed my orders well but once the three of us were gathered together, I noticed one of my fellow hikers decided to wear her adorable pumps. My initial reaction was to question my own fashion choices, but then I realized rocky terrain plus three inches could mean twisted ankles. 

The other one, normally beautifully put-together, said aloud, "I hate how I look! These jeans bunch up with these tennis shoes and this T-shirt is huge!" It was true; apparently the nine-year-old in her had taken over completely.

Now, what I am about to share with you is about as common as sense can get, but the following two rules can save you from fashion catastrophe the next time you have to change on the go. 

The first rule: Wear what is appropriate for the occasion. This rule could have saved my first friend from tripping over her heels and falling into a spider web inhabited by a spider the size of my diamond stud earrings (very big). By the way, that actually didn't happen. BUT the lesson is, if what you wear makes you sweat, shiver or fall, you may need to consider appropriateness before you put on that "I-am-a-sex-goddess" black dress to your 9 a.m. class. 

The second rule: Wear what makes you feel confident and happy. If the second friend had followed the second rule, she could have avoided wearing her Chess Champion T-shirt from sixth grade, when she ran into her biggest crush, who happened to be with another girl, who also happened to be wearing the most perfect fitted outdoor jacket. OK, so none of that happened either, but the point is, if what you are wear on a regular basis makes you want to run home and crawl under your bed sheets, I order you to put on that cashmere cardigan that makes you feel luxurious and beautiful. 

Trust me, if you consider both rules, you will consistently wear outfits that allow you to focus on the bigger, more important things in life. Speaking of which, the sunset was beautiful!