Wearing All Black Is Not Boring.

I read a lot of articles about fashion and style as it's relevant to my interests and it's part of my job as a stylist, but the one thing that drives me bonkers is RULES. The assumptions that fashion rules give me, is that we need to be ruled by what is 'right' by the fashion gods. We must bend to their every whim and cower by their knowledge and expertise. Pppppffffffttttt.

Some of the reoccurring subjects I do see is that; wearing all black is boring,  wearing all black is harsh, wearing all black is depressing, wearing all black automatically makes you goth. A big NOPE. There are plenty of people from the beauty industry to the arts community and beyond who enjoy wearing all black, it's not some sort of special club. 

Wearing black makes me happy. It makes me feel beautiful and elegant, edgy and playful. It's all in the way I style my all black outfits that gives it personality and substance. Adding patterns, texture, shine and accessories are some style suggestions that I will often agree with, but how I choose to wear them will always be my choice. That is what I believe is a big difference between following trends and doing your own thing: personal style. In the same respect, I don't need to follow the rules of whatever 'fashion tribe' I may relate too.

Even as a professional women of 35, I will always have the angst-ridden 16 year old me in the back of my mind. I will always say, "Wear that makes you happy and screw everyone else". I think if I had a dollar for every time I said that at work I would be rolling in John Fluevog boots. 

I love fashion, but it will never rule me enough to stop dressing how I love....

and I hope it never rules you neither.

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

**I'm wearing cotton shirt dress (eShakti), cardigan (Le Bomb Shop), concho belt (Target), stockings (old, Lip Service), cowboy boots (ZigiNY), Lydia brooch (Jubly-Umph), tombstone necklace (borrowed from Derek) and spiked bracelets (???)

Wearing Whatever the 'F' You Want

Lists. Advice. What to do. What not to do. It's enough to make someone's head spin. A lot of these lists that I have read focus on women and age and I've basically come to one conclusion: You're not allowed to have any fun after thirty. My reaction: Giant. Middle. Finger.

How about making a list encouraging women (and all people) to wear what makes you feel good. Why is age always the focus? Why do we need to stop wearing things that bring us joy? Just to blend into the background? Why are certain things considered juvenile, rather than celebrated as self expression? Sigh.

I am met with these questions almost on a daily basis as someone who works in a retail environment. There are women who come in and are so self judgmental and self depreciating that it makes me so incredibly sad for them. I've met women who tell me that they can't wear a fun printed dress, because their friends are going to make fun of them! WHAT?! My brain nearly exploded. I secretly want to tell them that they can come hang out with me in their fun dresses and we can have a party. Hehehe!

Now, I'm not opposed to advice and those who seek it out. I have read many helpful articles on the art of dress and use those elements for myself as well as when others ask for my help. It's help, not set-in-stone rules. These 'DON'T WEAR THIS OR YOU WILL BE OSTRACIZED FROM THE WORLD' type advice=nope, not listening.

I guess this is all coming from a gal who has always been rebellious, like keeping my hair blonde for years when I was told I could never truly be goth without black hair. Pffffffft.

Life is too short to wear things you hate and in turn hating yourself in them. Embracing age is not a bad thing, in fact I think it is liberating and a part of the journey of life. The voices that emphasize age need to shut the hell up and mind their own business.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla