Her companion explained that in France, if you do not dress well, you are considered to be unimportant. (The two had been dressed in jeans and t-shirts). I can see that–actually, it’s always been a policy of mine to dress up when traveling.

Several times when traveling from London to New York, my seat was upgraded to business class–and I’m convinced it was because I’d decided to wear a suit.

But as I gave this more thought, it occured to me, that this coolness on the part of others because of how you’re dressed is not necessarily a French thing. (I won’t even go near the subject of my colleague being a Puerto Rican/American.)

I decided to conduct a little test. Each day when I walk my dog, I throw on the universal suburban dog-mom outfit–Le worn out Gap clothes. For my research, I put on a crisp, white blouse, new jeans and a bit too much make-up. The morning took on a whole new feeling…I felt visible!

Typically, Trotter and I stroll through town pretty much undetected, but suddenly I began to get “how-ya-doins” from the mail gal, the cable guy, the mom with her kids…and just plain strangers (meaning old guys mowing their lawn)…what was going on here?

I thought I would broaden the test–just to see if there was something more to it than simply the kooky sight of a petite woman steering her 80 lb. Labrador around.

So, wearing this same outfit, off I went to do my errands, and: the butcher gave me an extra piece of chicken in my order; the liquor store guy gave me a free promotional item (lighter in the shape of a poker chip) and the printing guy carried my box of brochures, opened my car door and shook my hand.

I think the answer is this: I carried myself with a bit more confidence and self-assurace…I looked to have purpose and possibly some money.

My analysis? Dressing as if you look like you’ve got a clue will get doors opened for you. (And some free stuff).

Post from: Blisstree

Le Success For Dressing.

I saw these women as glamourous and couldn’t wait to be a grown-up. It was not because they were tall, or wore make-up or had a few age spots–which they referred to a “beauty marks”–it was because of how they dressed.

They were a generation who wouldn’t dream of visiting someone else’s home in jeans or sweat pants. The most casual attire was the occasional capris or “slacks” and ballet slippers.

No, they wore silk scarves, charm bracelets, Jackie-O inspired shift dresses and high, high heels. The accessory that I admired most was their purses, or rather their “pocketbooks”.

When they reached into these big leather bags to retreive a cigarette case and “gold” lighter, the sounds of jingling and rustling of coins, sunglasses and other treasures were hypnotic to me. The identities of those women were the contents of their bags.

Recently, at a relatively upscale restaurant, I saw a woman with 3 pre-teen girls walk in. The mother was wearing knee length sweats from the Gap and a head band. The girls were dressed like Lindsay Lohan.

I used to love the idea of The Gap, but lately when I shop there, I feel “icky”…seeing a 40-something mother dress like a 10-year old seems unsettling to me.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t dress comfortably–there are many lovely choices out there–but as much as we want our teenaged girls to dress “age appropriately”, so then should we.

Finding your own style, at whatever age, is prime time.
Photo: Richard Rutledge/Vogue

Post from: Blisstree

Dressing Your Age.