HIP, SNAZZY, POSH: National Fashion Day Praises Personal Style

by Kerri Cooke

National Fashion Day is July 9, and it celebrates not only the physical pieces of fabric and the accessories we carry, but it embodies what it means to be ourselves. Fashion is the outward expression of our beliefs, ideas and the creativity we carry within us. As we evolve and change over time, so does our approach to fashion. One year you might find yourself grabbing blazers in neutral colors and the next craving dresses in neon green and pink.

The way you choose to dress can cause you to blend in with a crowd or stand out in a room full of people. Think of Audrey Hepburn. She had a long-standing relationship with fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy, so a great portion of her public aesthetic is due to her work with the couturier. When not in high glam, Hepburn could be found in classic but understated clothes while working in her garden at her home La Paisible in Switzerland.

When you’re confident in yourself, it changes the way you look, walk and talk. The way you dress can empower you. Put on the right outfit and you might find yourself doing something with ease that would usually terrify you. Find the colors and types of clothing that instill joy within you, and you’ll soon find you’ve become fashionable in a way that’s authentic to your personality.

There’s the famous saying, “You are what you eat.” The same could be said with fashion. Author Matshona Dhilwayo says, “You are what you wear, therefore wear what you are.” There are even books such as You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Say About You and TED talks dedicated to how our choice of dress affects our mood and psychology. This verifies what fashionistas have known for thousands of years.

Being fashionable doesn’t have to be hard or out of reach. It can be as simple as purchasing a few investment pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable.

Hallie Marceaux Guillory, with local online boutique Parish Line & Co. says, “Fashion is one of the most personal forms of self-expression. What you wear tells a story—how you’re feeling, what you love and who you are. Whether it’s a comfy matching set for running errands or a flowy dress that makes you feel your best, your outfit reflects your mood and confidence. I started this boutique to give women and girls a place to find clothing that feels good, looks cute and stays true to who they are. Modest, trendy, casual, dressy—we carry a little bit of everything because we know that style isn’t one-size-fits-all. At the end of the day, fashion should make you feel something. It should feel like you. And if I can help even one person feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin, I’m doing something right. So, whether you’re getting dressed for a special occasion or just throwing something on for the day, your style matters. It tells the world who you are without saying a word.”