Be a Fashion Anarchist

What, you may ask, is a Fashion Anarchist? It is any person tired of being told what to wear by the fashion industry. A Fashion Anarchist pays no mind to what is ‘in' or ‘out' or ‘hip' or ‘trendy' or ‘fashion forward' and ignores anyone who speaks to us like we don't have a brain in our bleached out heads. It's anyone who is sick of hearing that white is the new black or pink is the new green or boots are the new high heels

I think something snapped inside me last week. There was one more gay man on TV telling women how to dress. I decided rather than throwing a book at the television, it was better to throw some words at cyberspace. We need to stop spending way too much time getting primped and dressed and made up and get out there and live our life. Sure, if you are going to be in a wedding, or on a TV talk show you want to take your time getting ready, but you don't really need false eyelashes and 8 products before you run to the convenience store do you? If you do, you might consider some of those self-help books about accepting yourself just as you are.

First of all, if you want something original, make it yourself. Stop drooling over designer labels. Spend your money on healthy food instead, because the better you feel on the inside the better you look on the outside. Learn to distress your own jeans, rhinestone your own T-shirts, or paint your own jackets. It's not brain surgery. Learn to sew, knit, crochet or macramé your own clothing and accessories. The way I look at designer labels is if they want me to be a poster for their business they should be paying me. Use all those hours wasted before on roaming through stores and looking for parking spaces and use the time to make something that expresses the real you.

Don't bankrupt your poor family by buying more than you need or paying ridiculous prices for things. If you feel you can't breathe another day without a designer handbag...fine, go buy one. But buying 15 or 20 is pretty ridiculous. The same goes with shoes. I can see needing five or six pairs of shoes because you are not going to wear jogging shoes with an evening gown. But if you are thinking of knocking out a wall to make a bigger shoe closet, you've lost your head somewhere along the way.

There is a lady on line who made one basic brown dress and wore it for a whole year to prove that we don't have to be a slave to fashion. It is here http://www.littlebrowndress.com/ if you want to take a look. I'm not saying we need to be that extreme, but it does say a lot about human nature.

Figure out how much you spend a month on clothing. Don't forget the cost of dry cleaning if you do that regularly. Multiply that by 52. Now consider what else you could spend that money on or invest it in if you didn't buy clothing, make-up, or hair junk for a year. That total is pretty staggering for most American women. I know who you are; I see you in the salons and restaurants. And think how you will be a better role model for your children if you make wise fashion decisions.

Here are a few ways to be a fashion anarchist.

1. Stay out of malls. None of that mass produced stock shouts ‘real you' as much as it shouts ‘be like we think you should be'.
2. Gather up all the clothes you have that feel really good when you wear them. Now make a list of what you like and why. Use that as a shopping guide. If nothing you own feels good on you, you need to rethink your buying habits.
3. Stop buying things to wear when you are thinner. Embrace your curves.
4. Never buy clothes on credit. Even if they are on sale, the interest will usually outweigh the savings unless you pay off your entire bill every month.
5. Develop confidence and self-worth that is not based on your clothing, your shoes, your car or your hairstyle. A confident person can wear a burlap sack with style. An insecure person can't even carry off a designer gown.
6. Don't buy any clothes that require dry cleaning.
7. Donate every item to charity that doesn't make you feel fantastic when you wear it. If nothing you own makes you feel fantastic, your problem is another issue besides clothing.
8. If you are going for an ethnic or urban look go for the real thing. A real cowboy hat or a real sari will feel so much better than some spray painted pink faux cowboy hat.
9. Embrace chaos. Give each day a fashion label.

For example:

Monday: Zany Day

Tuesday: Pattern Mixing Day

Wednesday: I feel sexy Day

Thursday: Dress for comfort Day

Friday: Dress like a guy day

Sat: Yes, I'm rich, Models copy me Day

Sun: Crazy hat Day

10. Teach your children to be wise consumers. It is easier to do that by example than by lecturing.

Have a comeback line ready for any snarky comments you get. Remember, you are blazing a trail and if other people just don't get it, take it as a compliment. You've succeeded in rocking the boat. Most hot designers get their inspiration from mavericks like you. They are out combing the streets for what is new and different for next season.