A good friend of mine put me back into focus on a lot of things, including blogging. I think sometimes we can get sidetracked - it’s nice to know that others are thinking about what you do. Deluxegrrl is a passion of mine, similar to my other passions.

I want to give you ladies the very best — it must be that latent parenting gene kicking in at the last minute. I think about great outfits, but I’m also interested in branching out. I’ve covered all my favorite stores — Lane Bryant, Overstock, Bare Necessities, and Fashion Bug, but I think there’s an entire world out there that I’m missing.

Fashion is a double-edged sword. Dismissed by non-followers as trendy, non-essential tripe and hailed by followers as an essential part of everyday life, there’s a lot of differing perspectives on fashion. Here are mine:

Fashion is what we make it to be.

As the consumer, I always have the choice in the end. Don’t want a store credit card? Don’t get one. Settle only if you want to. If that purple-red-and-white shirt makes your world light up, wear it! Fashion rules were meant to be broken, mended, left in a tiny room with no windows, and then broken again. Follow the rules if it adds value, walk away if it adds frustration.

Fashion is universal.

I could list out factors that change fashion, I suppose: namely, size. However, aren’t we still left lusting after what a celebrity wore, or what your cousin slipped on while she went down to the courthouse? Plus size fashion is still fashion - we still covet what we see. The difference is in the acquisition, not the dream.

Be limitless.

Good graphic design draws from the world around the designer — why shouldn’t you derive inspiration from your environment. I’m a shameless reader of Glamour - and even though they aren’t the world’s leader in plus size fashion, I still cut out things I like. It’s getting easier to find pieces that are similar, if not dead-on, to how you want to look. It’s still a hard road, but remember that dreaming is like being a kid in a 24-hour candy store with an unlimited expense account from Mom and Dad. Don’t be afraid to take something and make it yours, even if it stays in your mind. Ownership of ideas often starts in the mind — don’t stress if you can’t turn ideas into physical reality.

Comfort over style over worries over…

I like to be comfortable. Whether I’m in a suit or I’m in a cami and jeans, I must be comfortable. If you’re a fan of flat or low-heeled shoes, stay that way! If you prefer a heel, go for it! No one can measure your comfort — as the consumer, it’s up to you to define your sense of comfort. I’m comfortable in a long “sheet” dress — others may be at home in a t-shirt and jeans. I know my fiancee loves his collection of t-shirts and blue jeans, while I prefer a more “business casual” look.

Relax.

You know why celebs always look “good”? Because they have a small army of people prepping, pressing, and primping them at every turn. If you don’t have the population of California working for the betterment of your mind, body, and soul, don’t fret — you can still take steps to keep yourself refreshed and on top of things. Don’t let Hollywood get to you — relax! Fashion is an expression of the individual, not the majority. Conformity, like size, is always relative.

My fashion style is based on these ideals. I want to be comfortable, I want to feel good about what I wear. When I go out into public, I’m representing myself, my family, and all those that I’m closely associated with. I don’t panic anymore if something wrinkles or I’m aligned funny. I know that the clothes I wear make me feel good, and that’s one less thing to worry about in the great todo list of life.

So, what’s your fashion style? Do you use “buzzwords” (bohemian, goth, preppy) to define your style, or are you a finely tuned mashup?

Tags: fashion, plus size fashion, dreams, perspectives, stories