They say the clothes make the man-or woman! Why do we worry so much about our appearance?
How do I look?” I asked my husband. “Should I wear this top or the green one?” Oh, oh, this was dangerous territory. I could tell by the look on his face he was thinking, Does it matter what I think? He knows that no matter what he says, I’m going to wear what I want to wear. He knows I have a mind of my own and usually just says, “Sure honey, you’re beautiful no matter what.” When he doesn’t, he gets in big trouble.
Why do I worry about what I look like? What is it that drives us to wear things that other people will approve of? I went to the website for The Learning Channel’s What Not to Wear and took a quiz. I know, it was stupid to admit that I’m either in a midlife crisis or menopausal. Sure enough, however, apparently I’m “not doing badly but could stand some improvement.” Tell me something I don’t already know. Elsewhere on the website, they give you all kinds of advice on what to wear. There are tips for men’s fashion, wedding fashion, maternity wear and even underwear (oops! I mean undergarment). Apparently, you can improve your look just by changing what you’re wearing underneath.
In episodes of What Not to Wear, alleged fashion experts go through your closet, make horrible fun of your clothing choices and teach you how to dress for success. It’s usually some poor guy or gal that has gotten into a rut in the clothes department. You know them. They wear things like that old holey T-shirt of my husband’s that miraculously finds its way back into his drawer each laundry day even though I know I threw it out. How about that old comfy sweater that has seen better days, is covered with lint and was knit by Moses’ grandmother? I had an old Tweety Bird tank top since I was 14 and as skinny as a rake, until last year when I finally let go.
People have been dressing for success since the beginning of time. From fig leaves to togas to the extravagant pleated collars of...