For most of my life I have noticed that I am almost always overdressed. But I like clothes and changing it up often so I wear what I want to wear. I won’t wear something the same way if I have been photographed in it or if I was wearing it the last time I hung out with someone, even if it has been some time since we last saw each other. I think many people struggle with finding clothing they like or they hate shopping. Often times, people just want to take the easy route and they just don’t care about clothing as much as I do. I remember always having a love hate relationship with clothing since a very young age. I always cared what I wore but hated picking things out. My mom would tell me to pick something out before school and I would say “NO, you do it for me”, then when she would , I would not think what she picked was acceptable. This horrible cycle would go on for a few outfits till she got so frustrated with me she would leave the room. I am still like this to this day. I try on multiple outfits before I settle on one. In my pursuit for the perfect outfit, I have a few questions I almost always ask myself.
1. Where am I going and what will I be doing?
This is pretty self explanatory. I wouldn’t wear something structural and tight fitting if I needed to move around a lot. However, I did go to a Dave Mathews Band Concert with one of my best friends and some of her co-workers, where we had lawn seats. These co-workers were wearing long tight fitting jeans (in the dead of summer) with Stiletto heels. They were not prepared to dance casually on grass. But they were prepared to go the club afterward. Oh and the best part about that day, was it rained during the concert.
2. How many people will be there and do these people know me?
I like to make a good first impression. So If I haven’t met some people I want to make sure my style is on point. If I know these people, they already know I have good style or that I am not a lazy bum, so its OK to just throw something on in a hurry.
3. What will other people be wearing? (Most specifically the people you are going with)
You never want to be overdressed or under dressed. So I try to get a general consensus of what other people are wearing so I don’t feel too uncomfortable. However, Colorado is much much much more casual than most places. And I have also found that society in general has become more casual.
4. Will I be comfortable?
If I don’t like my outfit or feel comfortable, I will be miserable all day. Sounds ridiculous but that’s just how my brain works.
5. Do I have on the correct undergarments?
This should be higher on the list and I feel like Moms are not teaching there daughters the importance of this. It drives me insane. As a high school teacher, I see way too much of this. For example, girls wearing backless prom dresses with a regular bra. And for that matter, there are a lot of dresses with cutouts and girls are wearing them to school and you can see their underwear. Oh and light colored pants! No one needs to see your striped undies through your pants. And you also should not be wearing underwear that cut into you and show off everything when wearing a tight dress. AHHHHH I could go on and on on this topic but I will stop for now.
6. Do I feel good about myself in the outfit?
How do people wear clothing that gives them major muffin top? If you are spewing out of your pants, how are you comfortable? You would look so much thinner if you just went up a size! The size doesn’t matter its how you feel about yourself in that outfit. So I guess if you feel sexy or good about yourself with major muffin top, then who am I to judge?
7. Is this age appropriate?
Time and time again, I see middle age (40-55) women shopping in the Juniors Department. Trying to feel young again. But you can still dress age appropriate, look young, and be stylish. I also, kind of think that once you hit a certain age, you should probably take some items out of your wardrobe, like booty shorts or as my husband calls them panty shorts. or super mini skirts. If you can bend over and your booty shows, then it is probably too short for you to wear.
8. Last but not least- Is your outfit appropriate for where you are going?
Don’t wear white to a wedding, don’t wear something tight or revealing to a job interview, etc. I teach with a lady who is always wearing halter dresses to school and super tight dresses. As a teacher, I feel this is never appropriate. You should never see that much skin from one of your teachers. I have also gone to two different graduations lately and I was under the impression that this was an event that’s a celebration and you should dress up. Not super dressy but no jeans, t-shirts, or tennis shoes. At my schools graduation, it was VERY VERY casual and at my mom’s college graduation, I saw almost everything under the sun, from never appropriate to wow, they look really nice.
This picture was from my mom’s graduation and I feel that this ensemble is most likely never appropriate. 
Readers: What do you think? Are my views out of style? Am I too old fashion?
chalk full of fashion 