Whenever I read fashion magazines, which is fairly often, I read that you “shouldn’t look as if you tried too hard.” Well, why on earth not?
Why shouldn’t we look as if we tried to look our best? Isn’t that a sign of good manners? It shows that we care enough about other people to look our best for them, to go to a little extra trouble for them.
I’m sure when people look at me or any stylish women, they realize we tried, and hopefully, succeeded. The perfect handbag to go with an outfit didn’t just happen. We didn’t wake up with our makeup perfectly applied. And the perfectly put-together outfit didn’t just materialize as we walked through our closets. We thought about it and planned it. What’s wrong with that?
I also read in these same fashion magazines paeans of praise for such style icons as Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy and how well put-together they always looked. Do they think these looks just happened? I find it difficult to imagine that when Jackie Kennedy was working as an editor, she dashed out of the house in 15 minutes looking perfect. Her look didn’t just happen, it came together because she tried. I think we should all try a little harder to look our best. You never know who might be watching and what it might lead to.
For a while I found myself falling into a rut of wearing jeans many days because owning my own publicity firm, I can wear whatever I please as long as I look chic and stylish. I decided to make an effort to wear more dresses and skirts and I enjoy it. It makes me feel more dressed up. Give it a try.
Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates, a boutique publicity firm in Manhattan. She may be reached at [email protected].
