Looking back

Looking at pictures of me up to the age of...before I moved to London...ok, and even sometimes still....Yes, I admit, I had absolutely NO fashion sense. I cant blame this on anyone except myself coz even my sister came out in nice clothes. I cant blame it on my uniformed school coz my friends came out nice. Even in Prince George!

I could see if an outfit looked nice but for me to actually go and put it together would result in disaster. The look, the colours, the style.

Yikes.

I remember my Dad saying to me that for 1 week (thats all - just to try it out) I should dress nice every day. Im not sure if I ever took his advice back then.

I would shop at second hand, thrift, consignment shops to find the withered look on jeans and t-shirts. I would try to find 'funky' hats and scarves and accessories. Jackets I knew noone else would have and me thinking they didnt have it coz it had the cool 70's look where as Im sure it was because it was out of style. Dont get me wrong! I have seen some complete bargains from Value Village...but on my friends, not on me.

I wore baggy t-shirts and jeans that were to big up until I worked at a trendy restaurant and the uniform tee was clinging to my skinny frame. I was so self conscience!

What was I thinking? Once I got used to the tight (fitted) t-shirt…and liked it I started cleaning out my closet.

I thought I was doing pretty good until I got to London….

…..looking back, I should be ashamed of myself. Im not at the point now where all I think about is fashion (lies) obsessing over fashion magazines trying to find the perfect updated look (part lies) or even stressing out coz I don’t have enough nice clothes (ok, these are all lies). But it’s a tough fashion world out there. Do’s and Dont’s, body types, What Not To Wear…so many rules!!! Expensive clothes and I cant even keep up with whats in and out anymore!

Im ashamed to say that my first girls night out clubbing with Nicks older sis Kim, (my now fashion guru) I tried leaving the house in my jeans, a t-shirt, runners (oh the shame) and my blue jacket (that was a size to big) from Wal-Mart. I was stopped in my tracks by Kim, given a pair of kitten heels, nice fitted black jeans with a sparkly top, along with make-up, a hairstyle and a nice fitting leather jacket. I wasn’t at all out of place that night.

Since then, I have fits of paranoia that Im just not dressed the part.

I can usually pull off a really nice outfit now and then but now, working in an office, seeing the same people every day, and of course them seeing me, and having other trendy girls in the office (one from France!) I look nothing but boring with my 3 pairs of trousers, 2 skirts, and plain t-shirts!

I still think I am lacking in fashion sense 3x out of 10 (which is pretty good for me I must say) but I have come so far. Even as to getting compliments ie on a pair of boots, a funky hat, nice jeans….phew!

I lay that to rest.