| chicken necker |
Posted - Sep 11 2008 : 8:16:25 PM
This article was in our Washington Post comic section.
The cartoon Beakman and Jax, where kids write in to them to solve scientific questions.
Dear Beakman, What is a good makeover for a teenager?
Candice Burnett, Alpharett, Georgia
Dear Candice, I think it would be best to pass on to you the teachings of a personal style expert, Quentin Crist - a writer and unusual person - who always said style is "being yourself, but on purpose. Fashion is advertising. Style is you, intentionally." Just so you know, this is not as easy as you might think. You need to be brave. You need to be smart. And you need to create your own path and not join the lines of sheep you see all around you - sheep who are fashion-victims, which is the opposite of style, OK?
It's About You.
What you need: Mr Crisp tells us to take a trip into ourselves and fit together the parts you like about yourself with the things your friends say are the problem with you. Accept even those problem things about who you are. Get it all massaged together, and when it feels good, go shopping.
Agree with your family on a back-to-school budget and use 1/4 that amount.
Go to the thrift store and start pulling out the clothes you like. With your notepad write down the name of the item and one or two words about why you like it. When you get your pile done, put back any item that has a logo on the outside.
Logos are not about your style. They about fashion, whick is when you are sold something - told what to wear. Style is you making the decisions for yourself.
Logos advertise for the maker of the item. You should not wear a logo that shows unless that clothing maker pays you an advertising fee.
Here comes the Brave part: Wear the whole outfit to school, and when your friends say "Ewww! Where are you Chanel logos?" tell them your reasons why you like each piece. Whip out your notes. Finish by saying that it's an exercise in becoming yourself, and you might want to mention that Coco Chanel never, ever, designed a t-shirt.
"Never work to blend in." Mr Quentin Crisp 1908-1999
FarmGirl Sister #123
Crafty Bay FarmGirls Chapter
Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference. |
